My 12 yr old son is Bi-Polar--- any suggestions on how to deal with this?

It's very difficult for someone so young to have bi-polar. I was diagnosed young as well. The problem is that bi-polar is often misdiagnosed. He may have something else or be on the completely wrong medication. I was on Lithium for years with no effect, however now I'm on Tegretol and Welbutrin and am doing great.

I think one problem you might be having is the way he is being made to feel. I remember my parents, though they meant well, treated me somewhat like a leper. I felt isolated from my family and like I was wrong and somehow broken. He probably resents the treatments and I remember how bad child psychologists can be. They don't talk to you; they take at you and can be condescending. I had one; when I was 13, talk to my mom about me like I wasn't even there. I wanted to scream that I was bi-polar, not retarded.

I remember my rages, my mom was scared of me because she's a small lady, 5'1", and I could have hurt her and did on a few occasions. It's more about the frustration than anger, he wants something done right away and he become anxious when it doesn't happen. The rage is merely the side effect.

The one thing that helped me was hippo therapy. I didn't go to a place that specialized in it. I just went to a horse camp, took lessons and it made me feel good about myself. It was because I was good at something; I was looked at for what I could do and not what was wrong with me. Maybe you should try something like that, or if he doesn't like horses something else like a sport, or a hobbie he can become really great at like painting. It really helped that my mom rode with me, it was something that we could do together or I could do alone.

Sometimes it takes a hundred tries to get meds right, but once they work it's golden. I've been on the same stuff for almost 6 years now and while I still have lapses they aren't tragic and I'm completely in control of my life. Good luck and remember he's your son first and foremost, bi-polar next

Please dont listen to those other people if your son was diagnosed and is violent then he needs to be in a treatment facility and of course u love him. Hopefully a facility that knows how to treat young people just be careful and check up on the meds because alot arent good for young people they are now finding out. if it makes you feel more comfortable do a second opinion before placing him. your not being a bad parent for putting him there. sometimes children can be a danger to you and your other children. your doing what you think is best and that is all you can do. i hope these words somehow help u.

I really feel for you. I also have Bi-polar, though I have never been violent. I'm either depressed, or manic (not sleeping, constantly planning things, studying, cleaning). I agree that if you fear for the safety of your other children, you just have to get him into someplace that might help him better. Maybe they can try different combinations of medications, I'm not sure. It was hell for me with all the drugs they tried on me, one after the other. Some gave me awful nightmares, one made the side of my face droop. Please keep loving him, please don't blame him, always keep supporting him. Maybe the light is just around the corner for you and your family.

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. :( Kudos to you for your strength, I don't know what I would do. I had a best friend back in high school who was on Depakote and Lithium. That seemed to really help him. You could definitely tell when he hadn't taken his meds though! O_O;

Good luck!

as bad as it is now, as he gets older and the disorder progresses, his symptoms will get worse. the good news is he is only 12. but it is of vital importance that not only he get the appropriate meds, but therapy is his best bet for a more normal life as an adult. he really should be going more than once a week, for his sake. him learning to deal with his manic outburst is whats most beneficial to him.

enable your 3 year old twins placed on a pull-up. Why do they favor to bypass to the potty each quarter-hour? some thing is only not accurate. children who changed into only potty education may favor to apply the potty on the earliest round 40 5 minutes to an hour...

well, i think it's wrong that you're drugging him, and trying to put him in a facility. he's a 12 yr old boy. if he needs a spanking, he'll never be to big or to strong for you to put him over your knee...

get him in a martial arts program like judo, karate, aikido, tae kwon do, etc. to make productive use of his energy. also will calm him.

consider cranial-sacral treatment.

try being closer to him

let him know you care

maybe all he needs is a little love