Ultradian/Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder

[1jules]

Hello!  I have several immediate family members who I thought had ADHD, but also have mood swings during the day, ranging from super happy, giddy and silly to irritable, angry and depressed.  When confronted with new ideas or need for transitions, they become very irrational, stubborn and won't listen or comply; also have troubled and very irregular sleep patterns, talk too much and very fast.  

We don't have a great deal of money to spend on diagnosis, and are going to a LCSW for counseling.  In my desperate searching on my own, I happened to read "The Bipolar Child" by Papalos and Papalos.  I understand the disagreement P&P have with the DSMIV, and the diagnosis fits my family members very well.

I am finding that I disagree with our LCSW about the diagnosis he is applying to our family members--ADHD.  Two of them are now getting prescriptions for Adderall, and as we have tried this drug before with two family members (as children) and they absolutely flipped out shortly after taking the drug, I am very worried.  They are now adults.  Is "The Bipolar Child" theory gaining credibility?  Is there such a diagnosis as Ultradian, fast cycling bipolar disorder that manifests itself as ADHD, ODD, CD, and BP? Help!  What do I do?  1.  Should they take Adderall?  2.  Is there such a diagnosis as Ultradian BP?  3.  Is the BPChild theory gaining credibility?  4.  How do I find a Psychiatrist, Psycologist, LCSW that will deal from the BP Child premise? (Believe me, I have tried...).  Need help.  Searchitout.

[hell1971]

I have battled for 8 years to find out what was wrong with my daughter, to the point it made me so sick back in november I ended up having a major episode and being diagnosed with Bipolar ( that wasnt in the plan and was a big shock to me ) however now that I have been diagnosed they are treating my obsession that my daughter has bipolar very seriously before they told me kids dont get bipolar, and have now acknowledge she may be showing the signs of early onset bipolar, my daughter does not fit ADHD and actually fits adult criteria using the DSMIV from my opinion.

Fight for what is right and ensure they get help if they need it, as many stories on here will show we have all been to very dark places and if by getting help you can lessen this then thats got to be worth everything. Good Luck

[cowgirlnerd]

I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult (and depression since 20 yrs old), and later found it was bipolar 1 - I have been told that it's very common to confuse manic states with ADHD.   Rapid cycling looks just like ADHD.  It takes an evaluation from a GOOD psychiatrist to make a formal diagnosis.

NO, Adderall is not a good medication - especially during a manic or rapid cycling episode with bipolar.   The combination of my adderall and cymbalta helped me with a little thing called a psychotic break that lead to a suicide attempt.

I TRULY believe that I have been bipolar since a child.  I was called the little white tornado because I could go from calm to bouncing off the walls in a few seconds.  VIOLENT temper tantrums that lasted into adulthood.

Bottom line is this - if you suspect you suffer from bipolar - get help.  The sooner you are diagnosed and started on the correct meds, the sooner you can become stable.  There is such a stigma with bipolar that alot of family members and friends laugh off the diagnosis, in hopes that it's not the correct diagnosis.  Honestly, bipolar's aren't the crazy, erratic, messes you see on tv, and that perception causes the fear.

You can research forever, but only a licensed psychiatrist can evaluate you/your family and get you on the right path.    It doesn't have to be expensive - if you have health insurance, most (I know my BCBS does) offers Expanded Psychiatric Services that will pay up to 100% of the costs.  If not 100%, at least a copay.  Plus, a lot of the meds used can be bought as generic.  I take Lamictal and the generic lamotrogine is actually $4.00 when I get it with my insurance.   If you don't have health care insurance, most states/counties have a hospital that offers ER services that can't refuse treatment.  

You can't really put a price on the way you will feel if you are truly bipolar and get the help you need.  It's like turning on a light in a dark room.

What symptoms - don't be afraid to be honest - are you having besides excitability?

Let me know how it goes!

Racheal

[Germur]

You pose a lot of very good questions.  There is a part of this website where you can ask these questions to a real doctor who can better answer them.  Just a thought.  Good luck!