One textbook definition describes bipolar disorder as a major affective disorder in which an individual alternates between states of deep depression and extreme elation.
That was Katherine today and really many days. Today we had our normal routine. I picked her up at "school" (Mother's Day Out) at 2 and we went home. After a short snack and mommy time we went to her room to read and take a nap. Today she would. not. go. to. sleep. We were in her room for about 30 minutes resting on the bed together when I left the room. She screamed at the door for 10 minutes before I went back in there. In all the two of us spent two hours (the length of her nap) laying on her bed talking, reading, cuddling and doing everything but napping. Actually, I did doze off a few times but she never did.
I had told her that she could watch Dora after her nap so of course she asked at least 100 times if she could go watch TV. Over and over I explained that she would watch TV after her nap. When we finally got up she continued to ask to watch TV and I held my ground. It was not a fun afternoon. She threw multiple tantrums over not watching TV or getting her way.
Depressed Katherine
Depressed KatherineThen I offered her ravioli and she switched from depressed to elated. She ran into the den, with her hands in the air, yelling "yeah, ravioli". She was excited until she finished it and remembered that she wanted to watch TV.
Happy Katherinenote: I realize that Bipolar Disorder is truly much more serious and complicated than this. I don't want anyone who suffers from this to think I am being insensitive or ignorant. Just some observations on my toddler.
4 comments:
I love the picture of unhappy Katherine. Priceless!!
Well, my husband's brother really is bipolar, so I was a little more sensitive to this and when Caitlin was a toddler and going to extremes, I once asked the pediatrician about it. It is crazy how they can be TOTALLY happy one minute and then TOTALLY lose it the next and then be fine again...so I was a little concerned, but the doctor said unless they are doing this cycle several times an hour, then everything was okay...so things were fine with us, Caitlin would have severe shifts in behavior about twice a week (I mean really severe, which concerned me) but she grew out of it, so I guess it is an age thing.....but believe me I know how it can wear on you and I was not 9 mo. pregnant at the time!!! :) my thoughts are with you...
We just had a similar episode with Sophi today. She threw a huge tantrum because I would not let her watch another episode of Classical Baby, and moments later she was elated when I have her her favorite snack: Pirates Booty!
I laughed outloud at your post title! As a Social Worker I do understand as you do, that it's a serious illness...however, I wonder the same thing in my house. Last Saturday Evan went from a major tantrum in Home Depot which moved to the car where we sat for about 10 minutes. Car on and Evan just jumping about crying. He stopped, we got in the carseat and he was laughing within minutes. Jeff was astonished...welcome to a day in the life of a toddler!!
Does it ever make you feel crazy yourself? :)
Post a Comment