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Bipolar Disorder/15 yr old w/depression

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Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 11/29/2006


Question
My fifteen year old daughter has been diagnosed with clinical depression recently.  I am bipolar myself and don't want my daughter to go through this, but my concern is that she told me she has heard voices in the past, just once, and I'm not sure if it's insomnia of something else.
She does not sleep well and could this be the problem or is it more serious?  Please ease my worries.  Thank you connie

Answer
Connie:

While it is uncommon, hallucinations do sometimes accompany depression.  These do not indicate anything more serious, such as schizophrenia.  The fact that your daughter has been diagnosed with depression explains it.  Having only experienced this once, I don't believe there is cause for concern.
                        Joyce A. Anthony

Bipolar Disorder

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Joyce A. Anthony

Expertise

I can answer questions dealing with bipolar disorder in a parent, yourself or your child. I can give suggestions and insight into what can be expected of many medications for bipolar disorder. My most extensive knowledge is in children with bipolar disorder. Here I can give advice on dealing with daily events, schools, medication and professionals.

Experience

I am the daughter of a bipolar/schizophrenic parent, am bipolar myself and am raising a bipolar child. I have a background in Psychology from Gannon University, have run several parenting classes for those parenting bipolar children and have had extensive experience with medications, the school system, homeschooling a special needs child, dealing with counselors, doctors and other professionals in the mental health field. I write for a bipolar website, with the focus on educating the child with bipolar disorder on his/her illness.

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