Cousin

[Mashley]

My cousin is nine (?) years old and has bipolar disorder. Her dad does too. Yesterday, I was watching her and her two sisters for awhile. She was beating up on her sister so I got on to her. She started yelling at me. I was afraid that she was going to hurt me. No form of discipline works on her. She laughs when you spank her or put soap in her mouth for saying dirty words. She doesn't listen at all if you talk nice to her. She told her sister that she was trying to be mean, so don't make her laugh. What should I have done? I told my mom about it and she had a talk with her. What can her mom do with her? She doesn't know what to do with her. Nothing works. She goes to counseling and is on medication, but she is still doing really bad. She hurts people and then feels sorry that she hurt them. I'm afraid that she's going to kill somebody out of anger and then wish she hadn't. Then, it would be too late.

 

[fireaboss]

Mashley -- that is so sad. I'm not sure, but I think I had bi-polar as a child because I was full of rage all the time. My sister had to go to counseling as an adult because of how I treated her -- I beat her up all the time! I can't say what I think would have made the difference for me (we didn't know about bi-polar back then!). As an adult the rage and anger really went away when I got on anti-depressants. Maybe they have not found the right medication for her yet. My heart goes out for that family. It has to be so difficult. All an outsider can really do is pray that God grants them wisdom and leads them to professionals that can truly help. I know your prayers can move God's hand on their behalf!

 

[LostnFound]

Is she on meds? Of myself, and my 2 Bipolar kids..my oldest takes an extra med that controls his rages. My other son and I don't need it. It is certainly a legitimate concern, and a potentially life threatening one! My son was a frightening "beast-like" child, who often didn't even remember what had just happened, when the rage was over.

You and her mother need to know that no amount of "discipline is going to make this go away! She needs treatment! Good luck and God Bless you all!