Hyper when hungry

[Fitheach]

I have a question regarding my 7yo son. When he gets hungry, he gets seriously hyper. And I'm talking about the classic (misconceived) that-child-has-had-*WAY*-too-much-sugar hyper. Bouncing-off-the-walls giddy hyper. I first noticed this as a pattern when he was about 12months old.

Now, I get irritable and headachy and fatigued when my blood sugar is low (yes, I know, all symptoms of hypoglycemia) and always just attributed it to the same thing, but it just doesn't fit. If hypoglycemia causes a person to get bitchy and lethargic, how could it cause a different person to get high? So it got me rethinking my theory.

But, I just can't find anything that would match hunger with hyperactivity. And I'm not sure what else to look at as a possibility. I do have reasons to suspect either mild Asperger's, or Bipolar (or both?) in him, but I still don't see either of those fitting the hungry-related hyperactivity.

Any thoughts?

[Lena_Kaligaris]

My son is the exact same way and it puzzled me for a while. At a New Year's Eve party after all other toddlers passed out around 10pm, my son DANCED until 2am. Believe me, I tried to get him to stop and sleep but he fought me to get back on the dance floor and it seemed like the hungrier he got the more strength he had. Once he swam laps in the pool for 2 hours non-stop, got out and still wanted to run and play!!! Everyone watching was amazed...and said they would pray for me LOL. I haven't been able to find a medical explanation so I've written it off to natural instinct. Maybe his body is giving him the extra energy he needs to hunt and find food?! Either way, I've learned to keep fruit and crackers on hand at ALL times, otherwise I'll be chasing him and getting worn out.

[margypops]

One other thought is he getting enough exercise many children sit during the day at school go home and sit again, maybe he could use some sports , does Dad get involved playing ball games with him, this could be a cause of hyper activity in the home ..try getting him outside and using up energy ..

[margypops]

I dont think that every child has a disorder. I would check out his diet and if necessary ask the Doctor to do a blood sugar test

[specialmom]

No problem and we now have a sensory forum which is near and dear to my heart.  Pop over any time or pm me.

By the way, I have two sons, my oldest has sensory and his younger brother does not.  I will tell you that the copying does not last.  

My son that has sensory issues can be difficult with food but desires to actually be like his brother that gets much praise for cleaning his plate (as he often does, he doesn't even have to as I don't force them to eat when they are saying they are full typically beyond the 2 more bites kind of thing), trying new things, eating his broccoli, etc.  

At 2, 3, and 4---  my non sensory child was more prone to do as his brother does but he came into his own and now sets his own standard.  I do my best not to compare them to each other and praise each for their own accomplishments with food.  

does your son seek input in any way . . . spinning, climbing, banging into things?  Just curious.

[Fitheach]

Thanks. You may be on to something.

That particular issue (the hunger thing) isn't related to my suspicion of the other two disorders, tho much of what led to those suspicions fit SPD too, so that may be it alone.

I do my best to make sure I have snacks on hand, but there are days that I get really tired of him having three bites of his lunch, then complaining of being starving an hour later. So in my frustration I forget about the hyperness, and try to "teach a lesson" by just letting him go hungry. It's to my detriment, I know, and as it turns out, that behavior itself is connected to the SPD. Lesson learned... by me.

Fortunately, I homeschool, so teachers/schools aren't an issue. Probably the biggest issue about it is the fact that his almost-3-yo brother copies everything he does, so he's picking up on the less-than-ideal eating habits.

Thanks again for putting me on the right track.

[specialmom]

Well, if it is only when he is hungry, that would make aspergers or bipolar less likely in my opinion.  Those disorders don't come and go.

You could look into sensory integration disorder or sensory processing disorder as those are related to a child's environment and how well regulated their nervous systems are.  My own son who is 8 has sensory integration disorder and can have unsual reactions to things.  

I would strategize for when he gets hungry . . .  have snacks ready to go for times you either predict he may get hungry or if it happens all of a sudden and of course, feed him really well when under your control.  Most teachers would probably be ok with a snack during school if it helped him maintain himself in the classroom.  good luck