How does it feel to be the parent of your child?
My husband and I love our son Nick more than anything. We are learning about his disorder right along with him. We see him as any other 7 year old boy, just having more emotions to deal with than other children of his same age. We just wish there was more we can do especially during his stages of depression. We find that just being there helps him through his fits and having him know that we are there for him makes it a little more manageable. We feel that even though this disorder is a part of him it does not define him. As long as he is receiving the appropriate assistance we know he will be stronger for going through these obstacles.
How is your child developmentally the same or different from other children at the various ages?
As far as being developmentally the same as other children his age, Nick is a very active 7 year old. Like most kids his age he loves playing soccer and swimming. His energy levels are much more extreme than other children who do not have this disorder. He can switch from being the happiest kid on earth to crying or screaming without notice. We still are unclear on what triggers these dramatic changes but we deal with it as a family. His disorder can be disguised as ADD or ADHD which teachers now have been more exposed to. The difference with Nick being that he can act out on a whole different level than children with just Attention Deficit Disorder. Nick is very bright and articulate for his age. He is also a fast learner which can add to the differences with other children of the same age. Even being so young, Nick can identify his feelings and is becoming more aware of his emotions which has been helpful for all of us.
What professionals/agencies do you deal with? What services are available to you and your child?
The agency that has offered the most support has been The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation. At the CABF they offer resources and information for both parents and children or teens that have Bipolar disorder. Their website is extremely interactive and so helpful, as well as extremely informative. There are blogs and members across the country to talk to and share experiences with. There are also articles to help educators learn about the disorder as well as finding out how to help students who may have the disorder. Being a part of this organization has brought us closer together as a family and we have been able to be more open about what Nick is feeling and what we as a family go through on a day to day basis.
Here is the CABF website: http://www.bpkids.org/
How did you find out about the above services?
After having Nick tested for Bipolar disorder my husband and I began reading everything we could to be as prepared as possible. We found this website rather quickly and have been so thankful ever since. We know that we are not alone and there are other families who have to deal with their son and/or daughter’s disorders. Though our situations are not the same, knowing that there are other families going through similar situations gives us hope that we can help Nick can manage this disorder.
What financial burden, if any, are you experiencing?
The cost of Nick’s medication is manageable. We are prepared for medications to change and new ones to come out which simply means the cost will fluctuate. The cost of the medication can range from $10- $300 depending on the copay from our insurance. For right now the medication we are giving Nick is working. We have fees from the therapist that Nick sees too which can range from $120-$180. Thankfully, Nick has not needed to visit the hospital for any fits. The hospital visits can range from $40-$175. We are prepared though and have been saving for the day if and when it happens. We take everything day by day and have very open conversations about what works and what does not. We are also talking about homeschooling but we do not think of it in terms of the financial burden but instead what is best for Nick.
What other information do you want to share?
This has been an eye-opening experience and has made me think about what is really important in life. As a family we deal with this together and try to relieve the stress in all our lives to make Nick feel more comfortable. We want him to know that we are doing everything we can to make his life easier to control.
This is the link to my glogster on Early Onset of Bipolar Disorder:
http://aaguirre9.edu.glogster.com/eobipolardisorder/
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