You cannot let your disability or your diagnosis define you or your actions because society does not treat you or awknowledge your issues when you behave badly, act up or do things to hurt others. They treat you like everyone else whose being a jerk and unkind. So we have to teach our children to be strong, act kindly, follow the rules and not let them use their disabilities to excuse their actions or behavior.
She’s right you know. Society doesn’t see the challenges my son faces. In fact, most people see my son as a healthy and amazing six year old boy, who runs and plays with his friends and smiles when the sprinkle is swirling around him and giggles when he tosses a cup of water at you to get you wet.
They don’t see…
- Foods need to be in order. Milk has to poured just right, the right size spoon need to be had and the same spot has to be sat in during a meal.
- New things can throw an entire day off balance and create a mood swing.
- Lack of understanding when it comes to emotions and hurting others. But on the opposite side of that an overly caring and affection sensory that pushes to help and break up fights started by others.
- Lack of sleep due to over sensor-stimulation throughout the day
- Severe separation anxiety
- Sore legs and falling continuously when tired (okay people see this one) they bandage him up afterwards lol
Each day is a new challenge with Trace and I’m still trying to get a grip on this whole thing. The hardest part for me as a mother is knowing what part is my son being a typical, defiant, tell it like it is, no-nonsense child and what part is his bipolar disorder.
This past week Trace has told me on more than one occasion the following things:
- He hates himself.
- He hates us.
- He wishes he were dead.
- Nobody loves him.
- He’s angry with himself (due to his behavior)
- He’s such a bad boy.
- He wishes to kill himself.
- He should run away.
- He hates this planet (that one is my favorite!)
It’s hard — you know. Not only understanding but dealing with your child having such feelings, especially at such a young age. Six year old’s should be happy and carefree, not upset or wishing they did not exist.
It’s my job as a mom to make sure Trace knows his own worth. Lord knows I didn’t when I was his age. I felt exactly the same. Mind you my own diagnosis didn’t come until I was 25 years old. Knowing what is wrong, knowing my child’s diagnosis is half the battle, I think.
What can you do to help deal with your child’s diagnosis of early on-set Bipolar Disorder?
Join a forum or group for support – There are quite a few online that you can jump into and the parents there are suffering with worry and fears, just like yourself. One of my favorites is over at Circle of Moms. A great community for parents for a variety of topics. They have a group for early onset bipolar disorder in children.
Find support at your local Mental Health Community Center – It can be scary involving mental health into your lives, I know. But most communities have support for children struggling with mental illness and you can find a variety of resources to help guide you.
Read about the signs and symptoms of Bipolar Disorder – Look online, or ask your doctor if they have any information on the subject. Your local Mental Health Center can help here as well.
Find a Doctor who cares and is well versed in mental illnesses in children – I cannot stress the importance of this one. Without a good doctor your child has no chance to continue with their not only their mental health but physical health as well.
Each day is a new day for us as a family in dealing with our special abilities that each of us has. But one thing is for sure. My kids are kids, happy and each day I try to reinforce their positive qualities and encourage them to work on the things that need improving.
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It must be terrifying to a child, who cannot yet grasp the meaning of bipolar. All he knows is that he is different. It brings tears to my eyes knowing that he has to go thru the same thing I did. On the bright side, if you can call it that, you know now instead of later in life. You are a good mom Jodi. Keep it up!
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Thanks Tami!
This is such a sweet post. I can’t imagine what it’s like having to see your child so upset. I hope he realizes sooner rather than later just how important he is to everyone.
Omigosh. Jodi, I am sending you hugs and lots of them. Though, I’m sure you have this down pat, I could imagine how hard it can be. Thanks for sharing this insight on this disorder, I think the more we educate each other the less prejudice or ignorance there will be. I try to teach my girls, that sometimes for certain reasons, kids act differently and we shouldn’t treat them badly. I hope I’m teaching her right! *fingers crossed*
Whispered Inspirations recently posted..Organic Summer Blueberry Crumble Pie Recipe!
Your kids are so darn cute I wanna eat them up! lol and thanks so much hugs are always appreciated.
wonderfully written and very informative. Thanks for being real and sharing your life with us all.
Annie @ It’s just my life… recently posted..Moving from the eyes of an 8 year old – Guest Post
Thanks Annie and I loved your post btw <3
Ugh…I feel for you! Those are hard things for a parent to hear their child say. ♥ Hugs!
Miz Dinah recently posted..Look! A Deer!
I hadn’t heard of early on-set and in fact, thought that Bipolar began to surface in your 20′s. It is in the family and I’m always wondering if we should be looking for early signs? Thanks for this post. I’ll be sure to look into things deeper.
(To clarify, not regarding my own kids.)
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Thanks Sami, yeah I had no idea they could diagnose so early but apparently they can. We went through CDC for three days of assessment by experts and this is what they came up with. I didn’t get a diagnosis until I was 25 but I guess they know more now about mental illness.
Oh Jodi! Thanks for sharing this with us. This is very helpful for those who may be going through what your family is going through. A definite must share!
Christine (@chancesmommy) recently posted..National S’mores Day
Thanks Christine
This is such an awesome article…thank you so much for sharing, there’s so much I learned from it and didn’t know but am now better aware
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Great article and read, Jodi. Thank you for sharing your son’s experiences.