My 8yr has severe bipolar disorder- pls help

[kyleauz1]

Hi
My son was diagnosed with severe BP 2 years ago.
He is taking Seroquel; Abilify; benztropine, concerta (ADHD) and depakote.
Unbelievably with all these meds he is still very much hyperactive and very impulsive, and rapid pressured speech, every day. Nothing seems to slow him down. He is having problems in school to the point that they are discussing removal to a day treatment center.  I'm at a loss! Why does he still always look like he is being driven by a motor?
Has anyone have simular stories or advice to give.

Thankyou

[kyleauz1]

Thankyou for your feedback.
I too had thought about his concerta.. The Dr did recently up his mg and I have noticed he is more agitated lately. I will bring that up to his psychiatrist. He cannot use any type of medicine patches as they irritate his skin.

Keep well and thanks again

[ILADVOCATE]

That's a fair amount of medication for a child. He may be reacting to the Concerta. That I'm not sure. Depakoate is a good mood stabilizer. But he's on two antipsychotic as well (Seroquel, Abilify). I have schizoaffective disorder and generally did not need more than one antipsychotic. Did they diagnose any form of psychosis in him? Benzotropine is a side effect pill. It is used to stop motor restlessness in antipsychotics but if he is experiencing that that may contribute to the problem. I take Clonidine in patch form. That's used occassionally as a mood stabilizer but often for Tourrette's and is used for children with restless or impulsive behavior from what I know. It does have a generally calming effect. I would speak to his psychiatrist about having his medications adjusted. There is more information on medications on the links page but what might be appropriate for an adult may not be for a child that young. A child psychiatrist who is a specialist might be a good idea to have a fuller understanding of what's going on. And cognitive behavioral therapy in addition to medication is a good ideas as well.