Bipolar Kid Connection

1. You will never know the pain I feel each time our bipolar child tries to hold it together but just cannot!
2. You will never know what it is like to walk into a room and know that people have been dreading your family’s arrival!
3. You will never know what it is like to hear your bipolar child cry because they cannot be the person they try so hard to be!
4. You will never know what it is like to go through manic and depressive episodes with your bipolar Kid!
5. You will never know what it is like to watch your bipolar child try to jump out of a moving car or a window and be a few second too late to stop them!
6. You will never know what it is like to lose people, both friends and family, because they cannot deal with your bipolar Kid!
7. You will never know what it is like to fear for your bipolar child’s life each and every day!
8. You will never know that the looks you give me hurt to the core of my soul!
9. You will never know that I am actually a wonderful mother who struggles right along with my bipolar child!
10. You will never know what it is like walking into school praying that your bipolar child has not found trouble that day!

By:  Rebecca Boardman

It is so simple to see a mother struggling with their child in the store.  It is harder to have compassion and understanding.  Not every child having a raging fit has bad parents!  Many of us work very hard to make our child’s life as close to normal as we can.  Rather then make comments about parenting skills, perhaps offering a helping hand would be a nicer and more understanding thing to do!   Rather than make a bipolar child feel as if they are a bad person, perhaps you could offer them a helping hand.  Rather than leaving a child with no friends, perhaps teaching your child about bipolar disorder is a better way to go?   Awareness is important not only for a bipolar child but for their entire family!

We love children in spite of their disability.  People do not understand that these children already feel so left out.  That they already feel as if no one loves or even likes them.  Please do not judge a bipolar kid or their parents.  It really is not about parenting but more about understanding.  Also, remember that no child is perfect.  They all make mistakes, have bad days and struggle with mixed emotions!  What you can do is be there for the bipolar children and their families.

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Lamictal is a medication used in the treatment of bipolar I.  Lamictal, also known by it’s generic name Lamotrigine, is a medication that has the ability to lengthen the amount of time between mood episodes.  This medication helps to alleviate your child’s bipolar disorder symptoms.  Lamictal is a medication that is approved by the FDA for long term use in the treatment of Bipolar I.  Lamictal and Lamotrigine are not anti-depresents but are know an mood stabilizers.  Lamictal may be a medication that your doctor may consider for your bipolar child.  It is important that you understand that there are side effects to all medications.  Lamictal and Lamotrigine are certainly not excluded from side effects.  Below you will find information about Lamictal, how to properly take is and things to watch out for:

• Lamictal Rash: This rash can be serious and require hospitalization.  If you child has bipolar disorder and is prescribed this medication it is important that you call your treating doctor immediately if a rash develops.
• May cause suicidal thoughts in some patients.   1 in 500 patients this side effect was present.  This means that it is important that you monitor your child’s bipolar depression level closely while on this medication.
• Always be sure that you have been given the correct medication.  There are many medications that have similar names.  If there is an error contact your pharmacist and doctor immediately.
• Do not abruptly stop taking Lamictal:  This can cause serious health concerns.  It is important that you discuss stopping this medication with your physician.
• If you miss a dose:  If you miss a dose it is important to take the missed dose as soon as you remember.  If you are close to your next Lamictal or Lamotrigine dose skip the missed does.  DO NOT TAKE A DOUBLE DOSE!
• Be Patient:  It can take several weeks for your child with bipolar disorder to feel the effects of the medication.  Lamictal and Lamotrigine are medications that build up in your system so it will take several weeks to notice and feel a difference.

Lamictal and Lamotrigine build up over several weeks or months.  It is important that your dose increase gradually.  It is important during this time that you track your bipolar mood.  This can be done through the use of a journal or a mood chart.  Find what works best for you and your child and remember to work with your physician in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

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