"My Child Keeps Staring into Space." Is it ADHD? Or a Seizure Disorder?

Salena (127) 13 Feb 2007 02:24 AM

Hon, I'm not 100% sure your daughter is ADHD. Please don't yell at me....I was diagnosed for years as ADHD becuse of my lack of focus, glassy eyed stares, hyperactivity and the "crash" sleepiness. Many Drs. don't want, or care to be bothered with the possiblilty that 90% of ADHD children are misdiagnosed.

My daughter had symptoms like yours. The adhd meds made her sleepy, glassy and "not herslf". I saw myself stepping down the same road my parents did 25 years earlier.

So I had her retested, and then blood tested, and then, chemically tested. As I had suspected, my child was BiPolar. Very common nowadays and possibly the most widely misunderstood and mis diagnosed ailment in children today.

My mother (retired nurse) my years of being Bi-Polar ( oh, about 40 now) and my years of being mis diagnosed keyed me in on the diagnosis.

I encourage every single parent who has a child that has beeen diagnosed with ADHD to at least get a 2nd, maybe even a 3rd opionion. Many Drs. now feel that ADHD simply IS Bi-Polar in children. No ifs and or butts.

Now if you are confident your child is ADHD and you feel that your child has been correctly diagnosed ( as I'm sure you do) then you need to STILL talk to your pediatrician about what lies ahead for you down the road. Becuse as I have learned by experience and being around a family of physicians and friends who also are, almost all ADHD children grow up to BE bi-polar ( hence the belief that ADHD is the child hood form of Polarity).

I am 41 and I still stare into space.

Please do NOT take offense, the best defense is a great Offense ( I believe Knute Rockne said that )

Kristyn Crow (2546) 13 Feb 2007 07:28 AM

This child does not fit the full diagnostic picture for bipolar disorder in children, however, I am often suspicious of it with her younger sister. We have had numerous assessments and I'm well aware of the look-alike symptoms in both disorders. So far, ADHD is the best fit, and it seems to be confirmed by the excellent response both girls have had to stimulant therapy designed for ADHD. This kind of medication often makes bipolar symptoms worse, but we've seen tremendous improvement. The staring has nearly disappeared.

I will certainly keep an open mind, and if new symptoms begin to manifest which send us in a different direction, we'll explore every option for treatment. Thank you for your comment.

Regardless of whether or not my daughter's diagnosis should be reconsidered, it is still beneficial for parents to understand the difference between daydreaming associated with these disorders and true seizure activity.

rents25 (105) 20 Feb 2007 09:22 AM

Kristin...

Thank you for your entry and clarifying the 2 diagnoses.

We've suspected our son, Gannan, may have some sort of neurological challenge. The terms "autism" and "ADHD" certainly have crossed our minds. He can get frustrated easily and shut down, be hard to get the attention of, find it difficult to concentrate, and then at other times, be able to concentrate on the finest of details. His observations and comments on what he sees and observes are often beyond his years (he's 7).

We started to research avenues as we were very hesitant about the side effects of conventional ADHD meds. We were able to find that there is some documented evidence that Omega 3 and grape seed/grape skin extract can be very beneficial to the brain/neuro system in general, and the ADHD challenged person. So, without any known side effects, we've tried him on these supplements. To our amazement he has made a noticeable and dramatic improvement in his mental/neuro arena. What a blessing!!

Again, thanks for your entry. It's was helpful to me.

Kristyn Crow (2546) 20 Feb 2007 05:54 PM

Gannan has some great parents. Thanks for sharing your story. It's always a frustrating situation when you're trying to find the right diagnosis for your child. I'm so glad that your herbal remedies seem to be working. I'm a huge believer in parental instinct.

Salena (127) 25 Feb 2007 08:54 PM

It was hard and I am glad that you accept that there are other options. CHelsea was misdiagnosed for so long and bipolar is such a mis understood disease.

The only reason I recognized it is becuase I am bipolar, and I think the point I was making ( By the way, I still stare off into space.....) is ADHD can very easily graduate into bipolar disease and the earlier you see it ( If it happens) the more qualified you will be to handle it.

I really wish you luck, either way, it's a challenge to raise any child with a mental disorder, I've been doing it for 13 years and the one thing I can tyell you, in this case, is as long as you face it head on and are determined and strict ( yes, I watched my best frined lose control of her ADHD child and now he's a high school drop out and she is miserable )you will succeed and I wish you the best of luck because IT DOES get better with age. My daughter ( although BP) is a relatively well anf high functioning teenager.

Also, most kids with ADHD or BP disorder tend to be the smartest and most gifted children around, especially when their energy level is high!!!