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Bipolar Disorder/my son
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Question
I have a now 18 year old son that has been in'out of detentions. Presently he just "blacked out" and beat his roommate up at the group home he was in and now got sent back to detention. He has past drug abuse..He claims he was abused as a child, but to my knowledge not.
I almost feels like he uses that lie as an excuse
But he recognizes his anger and says hes blacked out before.
Could you please tell me is this bipolar or could it be something else?
I am concerned and scared for him.
He'll never get to live a normal life.
ALso he is allllways bored. Like its annoying.
Hes had counseling in the past and tried meds but he wouldnt take them and they were for mostly adhd, and he just slept.
Thank You for your time.
Machelle
Hi Machelle:
Often when a person with bipolar disorder gets angry, he or she can experience a type of "blackout". What happens is the person's "fight or flight" instinct takes over and the conscious mind steps back, allowing pure instinct to take over. Once the conscious mind is again in control, memory of what happened is lost.
Medication, however, will eliminate this happening by allowing the "fight or flight" instinct to be less sensitive. While the blackouts do happen, there is no need for anyone to continue experiencing such.
Your son is of age now and has to learn that he is responsible for his actions. He is making a choice not to take medication. This choice leaves him vulnerable to his impulses. The thing is..it is a choice he has made knowing what could happen.
Joyce A. Anthony
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Answers by Expert:
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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