Questions Therapists and Psychiatrists Ask When Assessing for
Bipolar
- Have you noticed changes in sleep patterns?
- Does your child need less sleep than usual?
- Do they have unexplained bursts of energy?
- Do they seem to have racing thoughts?
- Does your child talk too fast or constantly interrupt you?
- Is there a family history of bipolar disorder?
The Risk of Bipolar Disorder is Increased If:
- Family history of bipolar disorder
- History of mood instability (swings)
- Non-responsive or agitation on anti-depressants
- Early onset
Copyright Eli Lilly and Company 2002
What To Expect From the First Therapist and
Psychiatrist Appointments
How stressful is it when you finally make an appointment
to see the psychiatrist or therapist? We started with the psychiatrist
as we had already been to several therapists.
First thing we had to do was fill out a huge, long,
involved questionnaire that asked about every part of our lives and our
child's life.
Then when we got to the appointment it seemed as if the
doctor didn't even read what we had written! He asked many of the same
questions we had answered on paper. He met with my husband and myself
without my daughter. The next week we took my daughter in and he met
with her alone and then with me.
Next he met with her alone again. Finally, he set an
appointment with my husband and myself to give us his diagnosis.
He said it was clear that she was bipolar and
started talking about medication.
By then we were ready to medicate her as things were out
of hand at home.
He also recommended us to a therapist. We made and
appointment and got in right away. She had another long questionnaire! I
think I cried through the whole first appointment with her.
She often talks about that day and how hard it was
to see me so upset and feeling like this was all my fault.
We have seen 5 different psychiatrists now and the first
meetings have gone about the same way...long questionnaires talks
without my daughter there, and some tears from me.
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How to Find a Therapist
and Psychiatrist
You can go to the
resources below, but be aware, with associations such as the Childhood
and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, the psychiatrists ask to be listed
and provide their own information to CABF. Our first psychiatrist was
listed with CABF (although I didn't find him that way! I looked in the
Yellow Pages (gasp!).
I
suggest you ask around with other moms who may have children with
bipolar disorder to see what their experience has been.
Remember, even if you have
to look in the Yellow Pages, it's a start! And, more importantly, you do
not have to stay with the first psychiatrist you find. Shop around,
interview psychiatrists, ask around. Call your local hospital and ask
for a psychiatrist that specializes in childhood bipolar disorder.
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