NetWellness Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)

Bipolar Son and Hypersexuality

Nicholas Lofthouse PhD — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:07:00 EST

Question: My son is eight yrs. old and diagnosed with ADHD, ODD, axiety disorder and early onset of bipolar. He is going through a "high" currently and I`m not sure how I should handle all of it. He talks about things that just surprise me...and they come and go..often lasting 2wks to a month...it . . .

Answer: Hello and thank you for your excellent question, My apologies for not replying sooner. As you may know, hypersexuality is a common symptom of pediatric bipolar disorder, occurring in as many as 43% of children/teens. Probably because of the taboo nature of discussing sexuality in children, it is . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Lofthouse PhD, Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)

ADHD/mania

Nicholas Lofthouse PhD — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:04:00 EST

Question: Can ADHD mimic mania?

Answer: Hello and thank you for your excellent question. Although the diagnoses of bipolar disorder and ADHD do share some common symptoms (i.e., distractibility/inattention, increased talking/talking excessively, increased activity/always on the go and foolish-reckless behavior/impulsivity), the diagnosis . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Lofthouse PhD, Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)

13-year-old diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar

Nicholas Lofthouse PhD — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:04:00 EST

Question: I have a 13 year old sister who was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 9. At 11 after no improvement with medications, she was with Bipolar disorder. She is on lithium, I`m not sure the dosage, but nothing seems to be helping. My parents have tried everything. I`m wondering if she has ODD. She is the . . .

Answer: Thank you for your question. The first question that comes to mind, as a psychologist hearing about a new case, is whether the patient has received a comprehensive and detailed psychological assessment leading to an accurate diagnosis(es) from a trained mental health professional?

You mentioned . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Lofthouse PhD, Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)

Is Epilim safe in the long term?

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:03:00 EST

Question: Please can you help. My sister has been taking Epilim for 6 years 500mg twice daily for Bipolar disorder. She has gradually weened herself off Epilim and Lithium but has been advised by her physciatrist that should should resume the Epilim by way of precaution and take indefinitely. She is 47 years . . .

Answer:

This long history of bipolar disorder is suggestive of the need for long-term treatment, usually with mood stablizers like lithium and/or valproate.

As you are probably aware, there is always a risk/benefit ratio for all medications and the lowest dose of the least amount of medications that . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)

Treatment for children with bipolar

Nicholas Lofthouse PhD — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:02:00 EST

Question: i have a 9 yr old grandson,living with me who shows every sign of bipolar, yet is being treated for adhd and sensory disorder. the meds he has been given are making his symptoms worse to the point that he has to leave school several times a week. iam looking for some alternatives other then the meds . . .

Answer: Hello and thank you for your question. My sincere apologies for my late reply. I'm sorry to hear about your grandson's challenges.

Regarding medications for bipolar disorder, according to most recent clinical recommendations, (Robert Kowatch, M.D., 2009), atypical antipsychotics (particularly a . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Lofthouse PhD, Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)

Strategy for treatment

Stephen Pariser MD — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:01:00 EST

Question:

My older adult sister has not been clinically diagnosed, although she exhibits the symptoms outlined on your Website. What is the best mechanism of treatment for the entire family--on dealing with/coping with her behavior, which is resultant from this disorder? Her physician has already prescribe . . .

Answer:

Sorry to learn about your sister. I recommend the National Institute of Mental Health website: www.nimh.nih.gov.

I hope that this helps.

Ask an Expert: Stephen Pariser MD, Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)

Misdiagnosed

Nicholas Lofthouse PhD — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:01:00 EST

Question: I was misdiagnissed as having bipolar. Is there a way to get this diagnoses changed?

Answer: Hello and thank you for your excellent question.

Regarding getting a diagnosis changed: yes, there should be a way to do that by writing/emailing (to keep a paper trail for records) the mental health professional who gave you the initial diagnosis of bipolar disorder and presenting your reasons . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Lofthouse PhD, Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)

Bipolar/OCD/ADD/Depression

Stephen Pariser MD — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:01:00 EST

Question: Question: I am studying to become a medical transcriptionist and have chosen the following question for my research project: What is the current point of view regarding patients who seem to have all four medical conditions? (Bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention . . .

Answer: Co-occurring psychiatric disorders are unfortunately common. There is value in defining them separately--even in cases where one person has several--because medical and psychological management can differ between them.

There are concerns about making an ADHD diagnosis in a bipolar patient (altho . . .

Ask an Expert: Stephen Pariser MD, Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)

Do you think you may be overstating

Nicholas Lofthouse PhD — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:01:00 EST

Question: the negative consequences of bipolar disorder? I have had since childhood and I am a self made millionair. Many succesful people live with disorder and contribute to society. Isolating children into special schools is a bad idea. Many people with disorder can out perform mentally healthy peop . . .

Answer: Hello and thank you for your comments and suggestions.

I'm very glad to hear of your accomplishments despite suffering from bipolar disorder. Like yourself, I believe that people can live with this disorder and contribute to society and have witnessed that with many individual patients. . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Lofthouse PhD, Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)

Drugs for bipolar

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:12:00 EST

Question: My question is. I am on seraquel 300mg, neurontin,300mg 4 times @ day, effexor 300 mg ad day, lamictal,300mg @ day, atvan 1 mg 4 times@ day,rittalin,20mg.3times a day. I`m doing really well,but the neurintin makes me drowsy,though I like it because it calms me better than an ativan. Will the drowsin . . .

Answer: You are on a very complex regimen so it is difficult to predict with much accuracy your question. Despite that disclaimer, Neurontin has the potential to have less sedation (or you adapt to this side effect) as you to take it. Continue to work with your physician to simplify your treatment . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Bipolar Disorder (Children and Adolescents)