I wanted to share a bit about bi-polar disorder. We didn't know what it was for years. The first time we even had heard of it was from parents who had a teenager in our youth group. My son was really little at the time and had no idea we would experience this in our own child.
This mental illness used to be called manic-depressive disorder. It is real and it is a chemical imbalance in the brain. To break it down, the highs or mania are really high. People with bi-polar disorder have a manic episode have incredible energy, sleep less, talk fast and have grandiose ideas about their ability for just about everything. The depressive side is just the opposite with extreme lows. They feel worthless, sleep much more, everything is an effort.
When my son was younger, he cycled several times a day, switching from mania to depression in a matter of minutes, it was crazy and difficult to handle life. You never knew when some little something would affect him. Life was real fragile for a few years. Mania meant making sure he paid attention to simple things like looking before he ran across the road to play, or slowing him down to talk to you because he talked so fast you couldn't even begin to understand him. He was clumsy, spilled lots of things just moving too fast. He was the energizer bunny. Then he would flip to total despair, crying, and thinking that he was doomed to die. This rapid cycling was exhausting to keep up with.
Seasonal cycling started about 5-6 years ago. My doctor has kept records and has charted the cycles. I would encourage you to do the same for yourself. Just document the months you see changes. For us, my son starts manic behavior around the end of the school year. This is typical because the routine changes and you lose structure during the summer months. He also had issues with bugs and hated being hot. Then in the early fall, if the mania isn't under control, it usually gets worse with the start of school. Typical behavior due to new school year, new routine, people, etc. By late fall we cycle from mania to depression about October. My son seriously dislikes Halloween, passionately. The images are disturbing to him, always have been. We can be anywhere this time a year and he will see something disturbing, and well, let me just say it goes down hill fast. The depressive side means it's difficult to get him to do anything. He is sluggish, sleeps more, has no self esteem, feels doomed and often battle repetitive thoughts of hurting himself. My husband and I stay on "duty" 24/7 during these times.
There are a few things we do during both cycles. During mania, we restrict his sugar and caffeine intake. Have you seen the squirrel on a movie that drinks too much coffee, that's my son! It helps considerably. We get him moving to burn as much energy as possible. His brother wrestling with him used to help tremendously. During the depressive side, we get him walking on the treadmill to beef up those endorphins. We use lots of humor, have an "open door" policy in his room and just try to encourage him as many times as it takes to help him walk through it. We have tried light therapy in the winter, it has helped some too. Not many people can understand the trauma going on in his head even though he looks to be "okay" to others. A simple comment in church can send him into a deep, dark place. My radar is always on. We let him know we have his back.
If your child has bi-polar disorder, chart the cycles. If they are cycling several times a day, let your doctor know. This is important information. Research all you can and learn all you can. Being knowledgeable makes such a big difference in helping your child reach their full potential during these difficult cycles. Again, I am no expert, just a parent who has walked through some experiences.
Thanks for stopping by and feel free to share with anyone who might benefit from this blog.
Lynne
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