Bipolar Disorder/Risperdal/4 year old

[michelle95]

Ok, so now the psychiatrists/psychologists are leaning towards bipolar disorder for my 4 y/o son. I thought he might be Asperger's but he doesn't fit that like he did when he was about 2.

We started risperdal 0.25mg QHS a few nights ago. He is really aggressive at times. Hurts others, himself, damages property...etc. I've tried all kinds of discipline, interventions, etc...and, I finally realized that he needs medication. That was an awful decision but if it makes his childhood better then it's worth it.

Any suggestions or info on risperdal in children? I've used it plenty of times on the elderly and mentally retarded but kids are different.

Doc told me to keep an eye out of tardive dyskinesia.

[lcsw2aprn]

I am a Psych NP, I do not deal with children as I have seen way too much harm done to children in the name of psychiarty.

I would never consider giving Risperal to a child. My question is, "would you allow your child to be in a study of an experimental drug?" In effect giving a psych drug to your child is doing exactly that! THese medications have NOT been tested in children. Who knows what effects medications have on the up/down regulation of neurotrasmitters and receptor sites, esp. in a developing brain.

That having been said, I believe that Duke University is working with BPAD in children. I would never allow my PCP/pediatrician to treat a child with "BPAD" and for sure would not allow a general Psychiatrist to do it... I would look for somebody who had extensive experience in treating primarily BPAD in children.

Personally, I would recommend caution.

Al

[lsyorke, RN]

lcsw2aprn, I couldn't agree with you more!!! These drugs have NOT been tested in children and the testing that has been done has shown minimal positive results and increased negative side effects.(ex. SSRI's)