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About 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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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Mental Health > Bipolar Disorder > Alderall for bipolar
Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 11/5/2009
Question
QUESTION: My son is still in the "unknown stage" but he is 12 years old and the doctor is not sure at this point if it is ADHD or bipolar. He has tried many medications and now is putting him on 5 mg. of Alderall to see if there is an immediate change in his actions. He seems to be cycling and has great trouble controlling his behavior. I would appreciate knowing if Alderall would be harmful if he is bipolar?
I appreciate any information as we are greatly concerned about the medication and do want it to set him off into even stronger abnormal behavior.
Thank-you in advance or any help given,
Audreanna
ANSWER: Audreanna:
What will happen if your son is bipolar is the Alderall will send him into extreme mania. If you see any adverse behavior when he takes it, call the doctor immediately. It is very often the way in which a psychiatrist can make the final diagnosis between ADHD and bipolar. The ADHD medications will cause a reaction after only one or two doses. If the mania worsens immediately, or control issues become worse, the chances that your son is bipolar are great and the medication will need to be stopped and a mood stabilizer prescribed. I hope that helps?
Joyce A. Anthony
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Joyce,
Since my last questions to you my son has been put on the Alderall. It is the fourth day and I do see he is more talkative but do not see much more than that at the moment. When he would get up in the morning he would be very quiet and not very happy. As for the focus part I do see a little difference in that but he is going to be tested for learning disabilities soon so that will be a big help. My question is since no one knows yet if he is bipolar or not at the age of 12 could this medicine creep up on him to cause a manic attack? I have seen antidepressants do that to him and all of a sudden he was hyper so I am just concerned that this could happen again with this medicine or is that not possible?
Thank-you again in advance for your excellent help in this matter. I do appreciate it since you have dealt with it in every direction.
Take care,
Audreanna
Answer
Hi Audreanna :-)
After four days, the chances of the Adderal causing mania are very slim. Anti-depressants are a different class of medication, so they work over a longer period. Adderal tends to work immediately, or not at all. I would say to watch your son, but not worry. It seems he's found a good "fit" where medication is concerned :-)
Joyce A. Anthony
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