fear for my son

[cabsmom]

I am afraid my son maybe bipolar. I feel that I border on it sometimes, but I don't think I actually have the disorder. I do have OCD as does my son.

I will describe what he does and see what you all think.

He sometimes sings silly commercials, repeats movie lines and just goofs off while keeping the action going one way or the other.

Then on days like to day, he is just basically shut down. He decided he didn't want to go out to eat and would not do anything when I asked him to get ready. We had already made these plans with my mom a few days ago. He didn't get off the couch. A little while later he was asleep. He had only been up for about 6 hours.

This is killing me. I don't want to see him struggle with another issue. I don't know how to deal with this. He does go to counseling and I plan on bringing this up with his counselor.

 

[Loven God]

He needs to be tested by a psychiatrist to know for sure . It could be a number of thing from drug use to another disorder . But have him teasted because if it is bipolar it needs to be treated . As a mom I know you have to be worried . But he realy needs to be tested by a psychiatrist and it will put your mind to rest when you can know what it is . I am bipolar and to be honest I don't know if he is or is not the syestems sound like many things . I can only stress to have him tested and I will be praying for you and your son .

 

[redblue22]

ditto

 

[quietpraiyze]

How old is your son?

Based on what you’ve shared I don‘t know. One thing that did catch my attention was about your son being awake one moment and sleeping the next. In my experience NOT sleeping is my biggest trigger for a bipolar episode. I’m awake non-stop for days. Some with bipolar have a similar experience, while others have different triggers. Is he eating/what is he eating? Is he bathing? How is he talking-coherently? I asked these questions because the absence of eating and bathing as well as excessive talking have all been well documented in my episodes.

I agree that it would be good for him to have a mental health intake. If he hasn’t had one recently I think it would also be good for him to have a physical as well. If you haven’t started one you may want to keep a diary of what you see with your son. You might actually be seeing a pattern of something but you don’t know it. Also a diary can be helpful when you do the mental health paperwork.

God can do anything. I will remember you and your son in prayer.

 

[cabsmom]

Thank you all.

Quietpraiyze, My son is 18 and he is not like this all the time, but once in a while he gets so upset that he will not talk to me very much and just sits down or lays in his bed for a while. I don't know it is simply a passive-aggressive way of rebelling or if his mood is so low that he shuts down. After that happened the other day, I asked him the following day if he was just upset or if his mood was really low. He indicated that he was just upset and needing to think. I hope it is that reason. Even if he is being rebellious that is a lot easier to deal with than bipolar.

I will discuss this with his counselor and see what he thinks. This kind of thing doesn't happen often, but I don't want to overlook any problems.

I think the idea of writing a diary about this stuff is another good suggestion.

I already deal with the OCD (mine and his) and that is enough for anyone--know what I mean?

He is a great young man and I just want him to not have to deal with these kinds of horribly debilitating issues. I know many people look at mental health problems and don't even have an inkling of how hard they can be to deal with, but I think they are a great burden.

 

[Loven God]

Talking to his counselor is a good idea , he will know if there is more testing that needs to be done .

 

[quietpraiyze]

Thank you all.

Quietpraiyze, My son is 18 and he is not like this all the time, but once in a while he gets so upset that he will not talk to me very much and just sits down or lays in his bed for a while. I don't know it is simply a passive-aggressive way of rebelling or if his mood is so low that he shuts down. After that happened the other day, I asked him the following day if he was just upset or if his mood was really low. He indicated that he was just upset and needing to think. I hope it is that reason. Even if he is being rebellious that is a lot easier to deal with than bipolar.

I will discuss this with his counselor and see what he thinks. This kind of thing doesn't happen often, but I don't want to overlook any problems.

I think the idea of writing a diary about this stuff is another good suggestion.

I already deal with the OCD (mine and his) and that is enough for anyone--know what I mean?

He is a great young man and I just want him to not have to deal with these kinds of horribly debilitating issues. I know many people look at mental health problems and don't even have an inkling of how hard they can be to deal with, but I think they are a great burden.

Okay...thanks for responding back regarding your son's age. 8yrs old is different than 18 years old! Mental illness is painful so you never want that for your loved one but God is still bigger than all of it. Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us and He doesn't. That is always comforting to me.

Is there anything specific we can pray for regarding your son? Is there something specific you have heard him mention that he has need of? Is he Born Again?