My Therapist looks ten years old ....

[barb dwyer]

and he is a cutie ...

I took one look at hims and said - OMG my son is my therapist

he takes one lok at me sand says OMG I"m treating my MOM ...

the rest, as they say ... is history.

He pretty much only wanted to know about the topamax, and how it affected the bipolar.
He did say,
'I really DO want to hear your story, *barb* I bet it's a doozy"
and I answered,
"I have done my share of sampling on the mile long salad bar of life"

I took yet another test; we talked for a bit ... there were a good many two word sentences, you know those? then there was a knock on the door -

it was my DOCTOR - I was late for my breathing therapy treatment.

She was like - ok you two: we KNEW this was going to happen ... so he comes over to the OTHER room and how it works is ...

I call him if I need him.

*shrug*

so ... that's it.


I have a (does two finger quote thing in the air) therapist.

[barb dwyer]

OH!

Teach -

He and the doc were quite surprised tofind that the TOPamax was making me a tad MANIC.

I reminded them I was treated for ten years for ADHD.

Maybe they ought not try to turn ADHD into BiPolar?

ADHD doesn't respond to drugs like others?

We do opposites?

Drink coffee - calm down.
Take codeine - freak out.

Stimulant therapy - get mentally organized.

that kind of thing.
and - they're petitioning my old psychiatrist for my med rrecords so I can get on my old meds.

I'm gonna open the studio.

[historyteach]

Interesting stuff.
From what I've been reading lately, it's quite a common error to mis-diagnose ADHD and bipolar. The symptoms are quite similar. So, I can see where the wrong meds would send you spinning.

Good luck with the therapist. My dentist is a young 'un. Not quite the same thing, though, huh?

I look forward to reading this thread....

Shalom!

[barb dwyer]

LOL

yeah - my (finger in the air thing) therapist - I'm not looking up HIS nose ...

it is kinda different ...LOL!!!

I think I'm just adhd off the charts.

[pedagogue]

Unfortunately there are a lot of people who are not good diagnosticians, and once a label is given, it can be hard to shake. I see it often with Borderline Dxs, as well as an over-dx of stuff like ADD/ADHD (it's called being a kid, but too many people want their kid medicated).

When in doubt, bust the Ritalin out.....btw, I'm kidding. A proper eval/screening should have teased out a more clear diagnosis. Unfortunately those seem to be less and less these days.

[hippyhippy]

Barb

my therapist looks so young too I find it quite a deal to realise it is cos it is I am older.....ho hum......Then I realise she reminds me I am unhappy with where I am in life and the reasons I need therapy.....ho hum again. I also find her rather attractive....wait a minute....I am supposed to be heterosexual....ooops add this to my reasons for needing therapy.....
Oh eck....I will think about this when I see her tomorrow!
Confessions of Hippy

[Easeful]

I'm really confused about the add bp connection. Everyone we've talked with seems very interested in the fact that my son was treated for add as a child. I finally pulled out my copy of Driven to Distraction. It talks about things that can mask, accompany or masquerade as add, including addiction, bp, depression, lead poisoning, caffeinism....... It's quite a long list, I can post it if anyone is interested.

My son definately has the "opposites" issue. Whenever he has come out of anesthesia, unlike "normal" people who are groggy, sedated and subdued he's always aggressive and manic. I told the Dr.'s this last week and that's when they made the last changes to his meds. This combination seems to be working.

[MCake]

Hi Barb,

Lol, don't underestimate your therapist just cos he's young. He might be a perceptive old soul, and that's what really makes a good therapist (I'm biased of course). But seriously, I've been through several therapists, including the white-haired, pipe smoking cliche with three dozed diplomas hanging on the wall who turned out to be as insightful as a chunk of cheese. Young can be sharp, you know

Matt-cake

[barb dwyer]

thanks matt -
actualy - I'm impressed w/ him and we're gonna have a great time...the CUTE part doesn't hurt either, brings out the dirty old lady in me....

Pedagogue-
thanks - you'd THINK when I was on the other meds for TEN YEARS ...
I might MIGHT have a clue, huh? Well, water under bridge all that - the records are coming and God is in His heaven, you know... I think it just had to be proven to be proven. I *did* go to them originally a broken, destitute alcoholic beginning recovery. They were NOT expecting who I cleaned up to be . I can't fault THEM for that.
*shrug* And I won't. I am the one made this particular messy bed.

Easeful =-
Now you see why I asked about your son's pediatrician,
or someone who knew y'all before this onset. Previous medical records are critical. I cannot recommend that book :

'Driven to Distraction' Edward L. Hallowell & John J. Ratey enough.


You'll come away with an understanding of ADHD that will stay with you for the rest ofd your days. And you'll be wondering what everyone is talking about with all this bI polar stuff. Just like I am - LOLOL
Easeful - I AM glad to read that something seems to finally be improving?