I just received the following email from Jan regarding her 15 year old daughter. I have included my reply in this blog:
Julie,
I don’t know how to reach you other than through this blog, but I have a 15 year old daughter, diagnosed with bipolar disorder 1 year ago, who also has sleep problems, not the least of which is affecting her ability to function in life, period. She is in a therapeutic school but we have been told as of yesterday that they can no longer manage her and we must make other arrangements. We are desperate for info about programs for adolescents with bipolar disorder and are wondering if you can give us any suggestions or direct us toward people who can help??? Thank you.
Hi Jan,
I suggest you visit the following website- it has information on the Parry Center inpatient psych treatment program here in Portland, Oregon. They may have a hot line or other information available for similar facilities in your state.
http://www.trilliumfamily.org/about_trillium.php
I have friends who have great things to say about the Parry Center.
Good luck. It’s a tough to go through this- but your daughter is young. I am so glad she was diagnosed early and that you have the resources to help her. Teens definitely get better once they learn to manage this illness. Please let her know that she can have a happy and healthy life- it will take time and she will have to work hard, but she can go to school, make friends and look forward to her future once the illness is managed successfully. I really mean this- it’s an illness like any other illness. It can be managed.
Julie
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This is a comment for Jan who wrote about her 15 year old daughter. I am a teacher in a small rural area in SW Washington. I run an alternative high school, thankfully because my son was diagnosed at 15, also. I cannot offer you any encouraging words about school, in fact it is almost impossible even in my flexible program for me to serve my own son well because of the exact issue you mentioned which is sleep. Michael has tried several sleep meds, Trazadone is the current drug of choice. None have ever worked. It is not possible for a teen w/bipolar I to function in a school/social situation without sleep. I am not sure it is possible even with sleep. I am able to give my son packets of work to do at home and he is getting credits that way, but that of course comes with its own issues. This “diagnosing” teens with bipolar disease is new for the mental health community, schools are no where near learning how to deal. Julie offers hope that our children can live normal lives–I pray and hold fast to her belief because frankly, it seems like only divine intervention can bring normal to my son. Michael is 17 now. We are two years into living with the reality of his disease and there has been enormous positive progress. There has also been three institutional stays. He is learning to do the right things, many recommended in Julie’s health cards. But like the adults who cannot function in normal work places, I believe our children cannot handle normal school places. If you are able to try an online school or some other home schooling situation I really think it may be the best. I have learned only one thing in two years and that is that we every day that ends well is a gift and my son is NOT his bipolar disorder. Good luck and keep loving your daughter! Karyn
I have a 14y/o son who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in november 2008.It’s been just a few months but thank god, finally!I am trying to get a support group going to talk and learn more about bipolar to help me and my son.I live in ontario, calif.,email me anytime. I am lost and so confused, but HOPEFUL!
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Hi Julie:
My 19 year old daughter also has ultra ultra rapid cycling BP II. She has been treated in the past for GAD, ADD, and depression. She has finally accepted the diagnosis and is just learning how to recognize her symptoms and associate them with hypomania, depression, anxiety, anger and irritation. I have your Health Cards and we are just starting to use them. I cannot thank you enough for your books and the Health Cards. She no longer feels like she is “crazy”! We finally have hope – after 4 years of uncertainty. She has a long way to go, but at least she has some sense of direction.
Hi Annette,
Wow, It’s great to wake up to such a great story. I had a really big hypomanic episode last night, but I used my tools and got back down and am OK today. Please say hi to your daughter and let her know I am impressed she is able to see her mood swings at such a young age. She will be rewarded with a stable and happy life! Julie
Does one know if there are actual ‘alternative living’ facilities, ie., “mainstream”, or “halfway” homes, for older teens with bipolar disorder. This is a situation where family members can no longer manage the progression of the disorder, and where it is taking a severe toll on others.
Thanks