A Mom’s Guide To Sanity: My Action Steps Following Crisis

Parenting an emotionally disturbed or mentally ill child can take a toll on the best of parents, result in post traumatic stress, depression and a variety of different feelings for the parents themselves. As the mother of such children I understand the importance of the fact that I cannot help anyone else if I don’t take care of myself. Life seems to go along fine for periods of time, things seem to be stable and whatever normal our family has learned to accept as normal. When a member of the family is mentally ill however, it is almost a guarantee … Continue reading →

A Mom’s Guide To Sanity: Guilt vs. Hope

These two feelings may seem unrelated, but for me as the mother of an emotionally disturbed and mentally ill child these two feelings go hand in hand. It often seems like a tricky balancing act for me to best advocate for my child’s needs. Sometimes my Hope blinds me to signs of pending crisis leading to the dreaded feeling of guilt for not being on top of things this time around. Other times I feel a sense of guilt because that day I lacked the kind of Hope I want to have for my child’s future. It can be a … Continue reading →

A Mom’s Guide To Sanity: Putting Things Into Perspective.

As a Mother I have an important role in the overall welfare of every family member. After all, it’s my responsibility to keep the household running and be sure the needs of each person are met. I play a key role in the success of my family, pack lunches, do laundry, and make sure that everyone is ready for work, school and all those extra circular activities. When a member of the family needs something it’s a mom’s job to make sure that need is met. When someone is hurt it’s my role to nurse the injury, put on the … Continue reading →

A Mom’s Guide to Sanity: Introduction.

I haven’t been blogging very much during the past 45 days. It isn’t because I haven’t wanted to write or don’t have a lot to write about. It isn’t because I’ve been enjoying the long summer days or a vacation in Hawaii. I haven’t been blogging much because I have been parenting a child who suffers from mental illness. It really isn’t important how or why my child suffers from mental illness. I can make up a thousands reasons for her situation. It isn’t any easier because she is an Adopted child, because no matter how she became my daughter–she … Continue reading →

Ten Ways to Help Your Child with Bipolar Disorder Succeed in School

Researchers are coming to the conclusion that a large number of children in the United States who were thought to have ADHD actually have early onset bipolar disorder. ADHD and early onset bipolar disorder are “look alikes” and can be misdiagnosed. There are many other ADHD look-alikes, which I will address in a future blog. The child with bipolar disorder can have difficulties in the public school system, for obvious reasons. Their mood swings, manic behaviors and depression can create obstacles to learning. A child with bipolar disorder should be in frequent contact with a caring child psychiatrist who can … Continue reading →

“I Wish I Were Never Born.” Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Children

Like many childhood mental disorders, bipolar can be extremely difficult to properly diagnose. This is because bipolar disorder, which is sometimes called mania or manic depression, can mimic the symptoms of other disorders. Bipolar disorder may present with symptoms similar to conduct disorder or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Also, childhood bipolar disorder can manifest itself very differently from the symptoms we typically see in adults with the condition. In order for the diagnosis of bipolar disorder to be made, the symptoms must be causing the child serious problems at home and school. The child with bipolar disorder will have difficultly … Continue reading →

Conduct Disorder: A Frightening Reality

When I first heard of conduct disorder, I wondered whether it was some conjured up name for kids who’ve been badly parented. I mean, honestly… “conduct” disorder? Have we gone so far with creating disorders and diseases that we’re giving bad behavior a medical excuse? But the symptoms of conduct disorder are so shockingly anti-social that, one must reason that something has gone wrong in the child’s psyche. This is not merely the case of a spoiled, manipulative child who throws tantrums. The child with conduct disorder has a surprising inability to feel empathy for other living things. This is … Continue reading →

Could My Child Have Schizophrenia?

“Mommy, voices are talking to me…” What are the symptoms of childhood schizophrenia? One of the things that must be considered when determining whether a child might have the early signs of schizophrenia is whether his or her behaviors are age-appropriate. It’s not necessarily a concern, for example, if a four-year-old talks about imaginary friends, or even hearing “voices.” But a child who is seven years of age or older with these same behaviors should be evaluated. Fortunately, schizophrenia is quite rare in children, with approximately one in 40,000 children being diagnosed with the disorder. Yet unfortunately, schizophrenia comes on … Continue reading →

Emotional Disturbance In Children

Children who are emotionally disturbed are eligible for special education and services, according to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). This means that special accommodations will be made for the student by the school district, to help the child succeed in school. What Constitutes an “Emotional Disturbance?” Any one or more of the following factors: 1. The child has physical manifestations of anxiety or fear associated with school attendance: This may include but is not limited to things such as shortness of breath, feeling faint, heart palpitations, or trembling; 2. The child is consistently depressed and … Continue reading →