What to do if you suspect your child is bipolar?

[Sabriel]

I mean, she just turned ten, but it sure seems likely to me: periods of chatty, buoyant good cheer and energetic work on hobbies, followed by days of morose silence, lethargy, and social withdrawal.

Not to mention the altered state, complete with blank stares and outbursts of aggression/violence (from an otherwise very non-violent person).

It's pretty rapid cycling.

I don't know what to do. But I can say that I understand now why some people do what they do...leaving their family.... I can't say it hasn't loomed before me as a thought.

Has anyone else here dealt with this in their family? It's pretty depressing.

[elleng]

1. Not I, tho I guess its possible. Nothing dramatic.

Have a decent pediatrician? Good hospital? See/speak with reliable professionals.

Good luck.

[seabeyond]

2. i have a brother, 48 that i swear is bi polar. we didnt know about it in the day.

but years, decades of watching him live, and self medication thru alcohol, it is a tough life.

his need for that high, and the destructiveness of it.

i have a son that has issue, not bi polar, and i was able to read on his issues, use the teachers to work on ways to address his issue, give him tools to help him along the way and seems to work. but if my child were bi polar, that would be one i would get adressed thru medical. it is a tough life.

[Meshuga]

3. The best thing is to get professional help

Even if turns out to be situational rather than a condition.

[tigereye]

4. there is a lot more information, clinical and otherwise, about Bipolar illness

in children than there used to be. Probably a mental health professional or hospital unit familiar and experienced with evaluating and treating Bipolar illness would be a good bet, as would be a full health work up to make sure there isn't a physical cause.

Good luck - there are others out there for support.