Posted by grapebubblegum on June 25, 2001, at 19:33:03
In reply to Re: The Bipolar Child, posted by Sulpicia on June 25, 2001, at 14:09:08
Well, thank you for asking, Sulpicia. I gave an update on my son in the thread, "zyprexa and children" two days ago, so please save my fingers some typing if you are really interested to hear a little about him and go read that thread. ;o)
He is only 5 1/2 and has not started school yet but will start first grade in September. He did not attend kindergarten at all (long story having to do with different entry age requirements in different states) so I do not yet know whether I will be asked to have him examined in regards to ADHD. The consensus among his pediatricians is to try not to make such a diagnosis until it is absolutely necessary (usually meaning when the child enters school or until Mom can no longer cope, whichever comes first.) I got the impression from two pediatricians and one child psychiatrist and the L.C.S.W. who works with that pdoc that I will be receiving a phone call or note home the very first day of school. The joke is that I answered a survey saying that he seems no more or less active than any other child and then when he came into the room he NEVER STOPPED MOVING and my only explanation was that I am with him all day; I have three small children, so I just tune out the excessive activity and don't notice it. I take all of this with a grain of salt and a bigger grain of humor, and I go into everything with an open mind. Perhaps he will settle into school calmly... my prediction if I had to make one is that he will be so awed by the first day or two of school that he will comply with all regulations but then when the initial thrill wears off, he will be a handful and a half.
Interestingly, my son has an obvious desire to be affiliated with men whenever possible (another long story not worth going into here revolving around a sub-optimal male role model in his life but that is changing for the better) and he pointed at the online lineup of first grade teachers at his new school and said, "I want THAT one," pointing to the only male teacher. His pdoc's take is that he is probably only trying to make a strong male identity at this point and I need not worry that he is a budding misogynist or anything. And his stepfather's take on it is that my son would be a holy terror for a female teacher but might toe the line for a man. The pdoc says perhaps my son is actually asking for a stronger hand to control him, knowing on some level that he needs it. Maybe that is more than you asked to know, but there you have it.
I hope I will not be asked to make decisions regarding stimulants if the ADHD issue should come up. Of course, no one wants to give any meds to their children, so it is only natural that I feel that way. Who knows what the future holds, though. If you do give your child stimulants you might not like the "Running on Ritalin" book. Like I said, the author does not have an extreme viewpoint; he prescribes stimulants for his patients but the tone of the book is definitely on the side of feeling that in general these conditions are overdiagnosed and that stimulants are over-prescribed in this country at this time.
I'll check out the sources you listed; thanks.
poster:grapebubblegum
thread:248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/250.html