How Do I Prepare My Child for Life With Bipolar Disorder?

Dan Haupt, M.D. Health Professional Psychiatrist, Professor Dan W. Haupt, MD is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at... Send Message Subscribe: Dan Haupt, M.D.

Monday, May 21, 2007
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For many parents, the difficulties associated with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and the challenges associated with its treatment can be consuming. Finding a doctor can be difficult, let alone finding a board certified child psychiatrist. Many take limited or no insurance, preferring to avoid ...

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Raising a child with Bipolar 1 Disorder
areallygoodmom
Thursday, September 06, 2007 at 08:20 PM

Dr. Haupt,
Have you ever had the special opportunity to have a child yourself with this illness
and to have raised this child to adulthood?

Why did you chose to be a child and adolescent psychiatrist? Was there a specific event in your life that made you know that this was your calling?

Interested in Garden City, NY 11530

Hi Dan
Eric
Wednesday, October 03, 2007 at 08:51 AM

Can you push me toward any recent data or studies that show bipolar illness in children? We are having another discussion already on the boards about this very subject.

The earliest age I've been able to come up with is 17 when it was noticed and in their late twenties before needing treatment. I am sure there are cases (individual) that may vary. This is just from asking friends that are afflicted (better than 20 people in all) about their history.

Thanks in advance

re: Hi Dan
morninggrl
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 03:51 PM
Well, I'm certainly no professional...but given the fact that it has been so long with no response to your post, I thought I'd mention the book The Bipolar Child by Demitri Papolos. Very informational, very engaging, full of statistics and case studies and numbers. It also tells real stories of real people and what really helped. It's my other Bible for helping raise my bipolar 12 year old.

re: re: Hi Dan
vivi
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 02:03 AM

HI,

I know that you have a 12 yrs old child who suffers from BP. and so is my 16 yrs old son who was diagnosed for BP1 April 30, 2008. Had 6x ECT on May, and now he is taking Seroquel 500 mg, and Lamictal 75 mg. The problem he has right now are he cannt concentrate on his studies, has poor memory/ so forgetfull and no self confidence at all. He thinks that he is the stupidest students in clas. (he used to be a very smart boy, a straight A student) My concerns are are these side effects mainly caused bu the ECT, the medicacation or the depression. He complains a lot about having vision changes and body shaking every time he is anxious/ worry.

I am worried about his study and his future life.

drug issues
polarlight
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 11:40 PM
My common in law hubby has never been taken care of properly as far as I can see I think he has drank and gone to AA and then NA but our doctors have all suspected Bipolar disorder...three different ones and have tried him on different meds. but he cannot stand the side effects...sweating dizzyness confusion to much sleeping and he goes back to weed which seems to help but he is not even sure of that sometimes ...His moods swings are weird but his subversivness and telling me how to llive constantly is stupid.I just cannot see where his attacks are going so i bow out before things going flying ,he has gotten better though through prayer nutrition and vitamins .But I am wondering about his sleep I just get him out working and do not waste a lot of energy on religous platitudes cause he sounds like REV.Billy of the Park people there is a time and place ...he is way to smart too and way to overwhelmed and the sky is falling a bit to much ..I just want to play my songs and have some fun help I am turning into to much of a care giver I need to live my own llife out a bit he has to leaarn to trust ...polarlight

Hey Dan! Awesome Article!!
Eli Karabell
Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 10:03 AM

Hey Dan! This is me Eli Karabell I was searching your website on Bipolar and it's awesome! So I'll see you at baseball tonight!

Eli