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25 March 2010

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder – DSM Revision Omits

The revision of the DSM-IV does not, again, include a diagnostic category for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder. Instead, it has been proposed that a Temper Dysregulation Disorder with Dysphoria (TDD) be added, which will bring a number of young people out from the Bipolar Disorder umbrella. TDD is being mocked in the media by people who believe that children throwing temper tantrums will now have their own DSM diagnosis! (I am sure that is not the intention of those who offered this diagnostic category – what I take exception with is that there are still no pediatric BPD guidelines). This means that for likely another decade, until the next revision of the DSM, psychiatrists and psychologists working with, and diagnosing, children and adolescents with bipolar disorder will be left with no adequate guidelines. Current guidelines are for adult onset Bipolar Disorder and do not meet the specific characteristics seen with children and teens. Many practitioners end up using the diagnostic category of Mood Disorder.

For a radio interview that highlights what is happening with the DSM revisions and pediatric BPD: http://www.whyy.org/91FM/voices.html Scroll down to the MP3 download for the DSM revision.


 

Dr. and Mrs. Demetri Papolos are the premier couple addressing pediatric Bipolar Disorder. Their book, The Bipolar Child, clearly outlines the types of behaviors and emotions manifested by children who are on their way to a diagnosis of BPD. The Papolos' website is: www.bipolarchild.com


 


 


 


 

16 March 2010

Why Do You?

If you have ever been seriously ill or spent any kind of prolonged time in bed, you surely spent some time thinking about what you would do once you got well. Those things that are focused on probably ought to be what you do once you are on your feet (after being filtered through our God-ordained activities). I bet you weren't thinking about going to a committee meeting, volunteering for more activities, baking up a boatload of unneeded calories, or running all over creation shopping! Maybe being flat on your back even helped you, once well, to answer a resounding "No, thanks!", when asked if you would like to do something that God has not called you to do. If you're like me, you can easily create your own distractions from the goals God has given you to complete. The advantage to having had repeat episodes in the bed this past winter is that it is much easier to ask myself, "Why do you…" want to do that thing, start that project, do stuff that conflicts with what you know you need to do. How about you today? Why do you?


 

Dear God, May we all submit our goals and our wills to Yours. May we put You first and set up our lives so that we can minister to our spouse and our children today and to all those you have ordained for us to help. Bless our prayer life and make us fruitful for You. Amen.

15 March 2010

What Has God Called You To Do Today?

Are you so busy you forgot the first thing?

Filtering

God gets the first fruits and that means our time. When we spend time in study and prayer, the rest of the day seems to go on track. In most areas of the country we can switch on a preaching show to listen to or we can go online, e.g., www.joycemeyer.org, and listen to podcasts. In this day and age we can also download a bible to MP3, or purchase dramatized CDs or cassette, to listen to while making breakfast or driving to work or school.

The Word tells us that our spouses are to receive plenty of our time and attention (and that does not mean plenty of criticism or arguing!). After God, they get the fruits of our labors and our attention. That means we need to save some energy for them during the time that they are away from us. That relationship has to be nurtured and respected. If we are running all over creation doing stuff God may have never called us to do then there will be little left for our husbands and wives.

My prayer for today:

God help me to put you first in my life today and every day. Let me not neglect your Word and time spent with you in prayer and in listening. Make me the spouse you intended me to be and to walk the path you put before me in peace and joy. Amen.

    


 

06 March 2010

Itty Bitty Seats

Jets are fine, but the smaller flights going into and out of Norfolk can't even accommodate a standard size, or some even smaller, carry on pieces of luggage in the overhead bins. Consequently, the airline attendants pull them and they have to go in with the luggage underneath, hence no access to them if you need anything from the carryon. Furthermore, the single seats on one side have two arm rests on either side of the narrow seats that do not accommodate today's larger Americans and certainly not very comfy for my 6'3" football player-sized husband. Even my little eight-year-old could not comfortably lie down across the double seats when the arm rest was lifted. We had an evening flight that did not get in until around midnight. Bless his heart, Clark wiggled around, but could not accommodate his 4'7" frame on the two seats at least not for very long. And just try to walk down the aisle to the bathroom without bumping into about half of the people who are sitting on the aisle!

My colonial characters would certainly be astonished to be able to even fly across the country in one day and I am certain they would not be whining like me. That is one of the great things about writing historical fiction – it really readjusts my lack of gratitude when I ponder their situation vs. ours!

Today, thanking God for even itty bitty seats on planes that can take us through the air in relative comfort. What will our great-great-grandchildren travel in?

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