Mood Swings! Bi-Polar, Manic Deression, or Hormones?

Mood Swings! Is it Bi-Polar, Manic Depression, or just Hormones? Here lately, I have been having some serious mood swings. I’ve have been diagnosed with the previously mentioned problems and yet I can’t tell which one is messing with me and at what time. I am not currently taking any medication for any of the things. Honestly, I hate taking drugs of any form. Granted, there have been many changes to my life here lately. I am fairly used to change so that shouldn’t be the issue. I know that this is very difficult for my family but I don’t think they realize just how difficult this is on me! I snap at everyone due to my short tempers, low tolerance, and quickly getting irritated at everything or anything. I hate feeling like this but I just can’t seem to help myself. This is usually a bad time of year for me normally. My dad passed away close to the holidays and he meant the world to me. Things really haven’t been the same since then. This is one roller coaster ride I am definitely tired of. I can usually keep my disorders under control, it just seems at times that it gets harder and harder. Well, I think I’ve bored everyone enough for today. Until next time… Have a great Holiday season!

ADD & ADHD in Kids

ADHD and ADD and how it affects a child... In my own personal opinion, I think in MOST cases this is a problem that we have that is growing more and more every year. I remember back when I was a child... this wasn't even really heard of. More and more I don't think that you can find a child that isn't diagnosed with this condition. It just seems that this is an easy out for most parents. Perhaps, the child is a bit more active than most or the child is having some issues with schoolwork. The first conclusion that everyone jumps to is ADD or ADHD. People seem to use this, as they’re at home babysitter to keep their children under control. When all they probably need is more attention. I just disagree with giving medication to children unless that it is truly warranted. Don't get me wrong there are some children that really need to have the medication to function in their day-to-day activities... but the others more than likely just need to get up off their butts and go outside. Turn off all the video games and get off that computer. Enjoy the great outdoors. When I was growing up, one couldn't keep the children in the house.

I feel that medicated these children gives them a sign that we think something is wrong with them. This in turns turns their mindsets into saying.... It's OK if I do bad things because I can just blame it on the condition. I have a 10-year-old niece for whom I have legal custody over. I didn't always have custody. Prior to coming to me she was with her parents until the age of 5 and then she went into the system (CPS) and then came to me at the age of 6. By the time she reached me, I was shocked to see the number of medications they had put this little child on. She was not only taking the ADD medication but she also was on anti-depressants, anti-psychotic, something for wetting the bed, and a few others. It's no wonder the child was acting out (as the system would say). She was so drugged she didn't know what to do. Needless to say she is no longer on any medication for anything at all. I slowly winged her off those medications and she hasn't needed them since. This makes me wonder???? In the governments eyes do they just need to drug all the children in the system so that the foster parents don't have to pay any attention to them? My niece apparently didn't need the medication. However, since she had been on this medication she will try and convince me that she needs to be back on it just to keep from getting into trouble. She found that she got more attention being on the medication than being off. More doctor trips, teacher conferences, and things like that. She doesn't really do that anymore, but n the rare occasion when she wants more attention. That is an easy fix... I just give her the attention as opposed to the medication.

So in conclusion, I feel that most children are being medicated and giving an excuse for their poor behave. We as parents should just say no and work with our children's shortcomings and help them to improve to better people so they can live a normal adult life. Teach them that there are consequences to our actions. Remember when you were a child. If you were bad didn’t you just know what was going to follow if you got caught? Well, I certainly did. I think it makes the children become stronger and better adults/parents when they grow up.