I haven't name changed although I maybe should have.

[Cathycomehome]

I suffer from bipolar disorder, or manic depression, as does my dad and one of my brothers. All of us successfully control the condition, and have professional jobs and (admittedly not always easy) long term relationships.

Tonight,my eleven year old son has totally flipped.He hit me hard, kicked me in the face, and screamed that I am a b*tch, then trashed his room. Because I expected him to follow an instruction. He then veered to apology mode. Mood change almost instant.

I am so upset - his moods have been a bit variable lately, but I put it down to pre adolescence. What should I do?

oops x post. Reply is to your very honest post!

In an ideal world no-one should hit anyone, regardless of the sexes involved. DH shoved me once, hard. Very hard. It didn't make him a bad person but he was a very stressed person at the time. It was completely out of character for him and no-one should judge him (or you for your slap) until they have walked in your shoes. If it was a regular thing my response would be wholly different.

Thanks - he just flipped when I asked him to do something (put his wahing in the machine, fgs!) when he was trying to concentrate onsomething else ( texting his mate).

Thank you all for responses - I am open to criticism and just want to help him.

That was re: my son tonight - I slapped my partner on a different occasion!

I have bipolar, but, as far as I can work out, it usually only starts up in the late teens. Of course, your son might be unusual, but I would also say that tantrums like that are within the range of normal hormonal behaviour. So I vote not to worry, but to keep notes just in case things get more extreme.

I think the mood swings need to be longer in younger people, in fact I thought they had to be longer than just a "flip" in adults too? Recently I was hospitalised as my mood swings were so severe and quick, but I was always staying in each mood for an hour or two, and from what I can work out, most sufferers only get one swing a year or so (more than four a year is classed as rapid cycling) Professionals have always remarked on how quickly I can get over an episode, but we are talking days or weeks.

Just saying that it could be bipolar, but, without any other signs, it sounds like hormones.

Did he seem elevated in any other way? Or depressed? (Was the anger one way or the other?)

Bit of an overload situation for him then? His text was important (to him) so maybe trying to listen to and absorb your request was too much for him today? Is his new school considerably bigger than his old one? I would imagine that keeping focussed at school is taking more out of him mentally and emotionally. That plus puberty could well mean it was an ADHD type meltdown rather than anything else but a chat with school and his doctor would still be in order.

My son's ADHD seems to manifest mostly in inability to concentrate. He becomes frustrated very easily, but apparently displays perfect (or "very quiet" ??) behaviour at school.

If it was regarding laundry, then I have seen both my completely normal sisters do that (and me, but that doesn't help) - don't worry :)

Sorry - missed very valuable posts!

He is in a MUCH bigger school, and I have been a bit stressed at work - I can see that these could be normal pre adolescent triggers. Thanks, all, for advice - I feel less tearful now!.

I think maybe I should treat this as a one off, not read too much into it, but keep an eye on things?

Cathy - you are obviously worrying about your son, which is only natural, and just shows you are a good mum. But, don't worry!

Sounds daft but at school we keep ABC charts in situations like this. We jot down what was happening before the behaviour, what they did and the consequence. It can help us to see if there's a common link or trigger. It might be useful to make similar notes for yourself if it becomes a more regular event.

Thanks, everyone, have to go to bed now. I really appreciate advice. Cxx

I know this thread is a little old but I have found this site has alot of information on children suffering with bipolar hope it helps either way.