'My Son Has Bi-Polar'

Tami (65.28.248.243) -

Hello,

I just wanted to send a lil light and hope on this subject. My son (Now 18) was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder as well as a few other things when he was 5 or 6 years old. In all honesty it has been a roller coaster ride from H*** at times. We have three other children who seem to not have any problems like these. My son went throught the suicide issue's at 8 and 10 years old. He has mutilated himself, he has destroyed furniture in fits of rage. He has caused physical harm to his two younger sisters, several times.

I eventually made the decision to remove him from my home until we could get him under better control, to protect the younger girls, he was 10, then. It was one of the hardest decisions in my life! It took almost 2 years to finally find the right meds for him. He went from treatment foster home to residential to lock down residential before it was over with. But in the end my son has gained his own feet, is doing well in school. He is still taking his meds and sees his Psychiatrist as well as Therepist.

His relationships have improved, he has one more year of school left, and he is excited that he is going to graduate. I REALLY wanted to let others know that it CAN and DOES get better. There IS a light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, it is alot of hard work and tough love but it can be done.. I have my son back :)

Thanks Tami

Comment #1 D.B. (24.211.218.70) -

Can anyone tell me how and where I can get help to have my son tested for bi polar? we have no insurance and really cant afford any, but he needs to be tested, can anyone tell me where he can get a free accurate testing, we live in durham nc.

Comment #2 Lori from Michigan -

D.B

You can try your state aid facillity. When my son was 19 years old we had him taken to the hospital in one of his fits of rage. The hospital had sent him through a crisis program and they had set him up with the state insurance.

Hope this helps.

Comment #3 Karrie from Atlanta and Neptune - Tue Apr 15 07:55:59 2008

Tami,

Thanks for sharing your experience with others. I have a 20 yr. old son who was diagnosed at age 9 although he had the symptoms before that. I know exactly where h*** is because I have been there, too. Holes in the walls, screaming, cursing, etc. It was a nightmare with the school system here. Today he's a teacher's assistant at a private, non-profit school for kids with Asperger's syndrome. He was a former student there because at age 13 we got an Asperger diagnosis as well. I'm currently very worried about my son being able to get health insurance. Right now he's still on mine because he's taking college courses and he can qualify under mine as a student. Does anyone have any information about this problem?

Blessings,

Karrie

Name:           
E-Mail:         

Optional (please add to our directory first)
Web Link:       
Link Title:     

Message:

Note: once you register your email address with Self Help Forum it is used across our whole network of forums and blogs. You can create seperate profiles for each forum or blog, but use the same login.