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Parenting & Farm Kids:  Has anyone dealt with  |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 30 2010 : 6:48:27 PM
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Has anyone dealt with a bipolar child?
I seriously think my daughter is bipolar, but my husband is very much against the idea of having her tested or even admitting that it is a possibility. He thinks that bipolar is a "bunk" idea to blame bad behaviour on. However, I am the one home with her all the time and I truly think there is that possibility. Is it not better to admit it, have her tested, and it be wrong than let her go on in life thinking the way she is nothing wrong and spending the whole time with people (myself included) worrying that she is just being bad?
hugs
jessie
"Wonder Woman hasn't got a cape, she just turned her apron around"
Farmgirl Sister #235 |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2010 : 7:09:39 PM
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How old is she? It's really difficult to diagnose bi-polar in young children and often times the meds don't work or it takes many trial and error trys with different combos until something finally works. What does she do that makes you think she is bi-polar? I have dealt with two bi-polar kids and one adult. NOT an easy road. Does it run in either family? It is usually an inherited thing that runs in families.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2010 : 9:28:32 PM
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Praying for your little girl Jessie.
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
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Sitnalta
True Blue Farmgirl
4208 Posts
Jessica
NJ
USA
4208 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2010 : 9:53:53 PM
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Thanks Channah!
Sheri--my daughter has been having violent fits lately. Screaming, throwing things, hitting,biting,etc. She doesnt sleep thru the night sometimes staying up until 5 in the morning. She has night terrors fairly often and wont be roused before 11. Its like trying to wake the dead. She will drag around until about 11:30 and then its like boom and she flies all over the place. Her mood swings are atrocious.She gets into hysterics anytime you tell her no or that she has to wait. She will be nasty mean and then all of half hour later, youd think shed won a million dollars. Its all Im a princess and when I get married....
Her imagination is vivid, and she is very smart, but she has the attention span of a gnat. She is only 4 so that attention span thing doesn't bother me but the drastic dramatic moods are getting out of hand. She is very destructive with everything. She breaks her toys and has no sense of right or wrong when it comes to things.
It isn't a matter of discipline or inconsistent routine either. I start bedtime at the same time every night but to no avail. She just will not go down. I have taught her and am teaching her the rights and wrongs of things, but she just does the wrongs anyway.
I have my own problems with irrational mood swings and other such stability problems, but I have a good support system and when necessary, I go on meds.
I have never been diagnosed with bipolar, but the problem I have, the dr has explained it to me as being like my mind waves have a circuit problem...lol
apparently I have a short circuit somewhere...lol
I have always had a hot temper, times of deep depression, and full mood swings, but I could be reasoned with and keep my emotions in check. I wonder if the problems that I have haven't escalated in her case?
"Wonder Woman hasn't got a cape, she just turned her apron around"
Farmgirl Sister #235 |
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coloquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
Susan
Co
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2010 : 11:00:14 PM
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Hi Jessie, wow sounds like you have your hands full...I have 2 daughters..I always say that if the youngest had been born first she would have been an only child. With Tara , the episodes started much earlier..almost at birth really. She NEVER slept. she would be so sweet and so snuggly then in the blink of an eye she was raging ! She always needed structure and schedule..If I varied ANY she was a mess. I remember at about age 4 , we went to a museum with a huge dinosaur display.The whole family had really looked forward to the trip. But Tara had a melt down and I spent most of the trip in the ladies room, Tara on the floor screaming and kicking . All i could do was lean against the wall and wait it out. I never got a hot meal out, always ended up waiting in the parking lot while Tara melted down.I remember one day at the lowest point locking myself out on the front porch while she had a fit..I could see her throught the window but I knew if I stayed in with her I was going to kill her then I was going kill myself .No Form of punishment seemed to help..as a matter of fact seemed to make it worse.One day I decided to change direction with her. I made a cute chart to hang on the wall.We called it the good behavior chart.I started out small..If she could get through the hour without a fit we would put a sticker on the chart then get through the morning,the whole day and finally the whole week there would be a reward. As the time lengthened the rewards became a little larger.She is now 30yrs old and a loving caring person..From about age 8 she became such an easy kid! She always needed a schedule and to this day.Doesnt take change well. But she is the most loving and caring person. We rarely had any disagreements and was easy teenager ! I , like you, have alway had temper and depression issues and Tara and I are both on a mild antidepressants , But Tara did out grow the meltdowns.
Good Luck
Susan |
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Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 08:52:39 AM
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We have something here in Missouri called Parents as Teachers and it is a free program where parent educators come to your house. They do a variety of wonderful things including help with behaviors, directing you in the right direction. Here you go through your local school district to get involved. I know of several instances where some of the moms in my prenatal program have had no where to go ad have been blessed by these educators. I hope this is helpful for you, and I will keep you and your little girl in my prayers, Carol
Forget buns of steel, I'd rather have buns of cinnamon!
Don't out smart your common sense!!
Farmgirl #680! |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 09:15:34 AM
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It is not unusual for kids to go through the tantrum stage - my daughter went through a period like that around three or so. Did a lot of this start showing up after the baby came? I wonder if it's partially her way of getting your attention back on her? I agree with the strict scheduling - it was the only thing that had any impact on my step-son. I know with him, it didn't matter what discipline we used nothing seemed to work to change the behavior. Positive reinforcement worked better than negative reactions which is contrary to human nature. Night terrors are also pretty common in kids that age and they usually outgrow them. Have you asked her what she was dreaming or to describe what she is afraid of? For me, when I was little it was falling dreams. It sounds like she is getting her days and nights turned around as far as her sleep goes. I would be leery of having her labled as bi-polar too early or taking meds unless the situation is really extreme as so many of those drugs have never been tested on children even though they are being prescribed for kids. I think I would try extra positive attention and maybe a little more one on one if at all possible and see if it has any impact at all. I am so sorry for your troubles, I know you have your hands full without added stresses. I will keep you in my prayers. Keep us updated on her and if any of these tactics have any impact on her. If it doesn't mellow out in a few months, it probably would be a good idea to seek help - just be really informed before you go.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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Parenting & Farm Kids: Has anyone dealt with |
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Has anyone dealt with
