Bipolar Disorder Sister?

I think my younger sister has bipolar disorder. Right now my sister is screaming so loud and she's 11. When you tap your fingers or something, she'll yell at you and just go beserk. She'll yell at you, and if she doesn't get her way, she'll go violent or try to ruin your stuff. Like one time, we were camping in a camper and she and my mom were having this big argument and she threw her shoe at my mom to try and really hurt her. Another time she bit my mom so hard my mom's skin turned purple. It always seems to happen to my parents because they're the ones who tap their fingers or hum to a song or something, I don't because I don't want to start an argument. We've tried two therapists, but neither have worked. I know my sister is going to end up a teenager who cuts herself and attempts suicide or something. How can I cope with this? Is there a CURE, like medications or something? Or is it like a phase? It's been going on for about a year now. And is it even bipolar disorder? HELP ME!!!!

Bipolar Disorder Sister?
Sounds like some sort of aggressive behaviour problems..11 is a really tough age...You want to be grown up but you are just not.. It could be a phase of simply trying to figure out herself and not being sure how to express it... I would obviously suggest a DR for diagnosis.
Reply:maybe she has some proble mwith her ears since it seems to happen when you hum or tap ur fingers. but bipolar disoder isnt out of the question.
Reply:Pray for her that always works
Reply:Unless she also has spans when she is extra happy or giddy, then I don't think she's bipolar. She definitely has rage and anger problems, though.
Reply:I think she just needs anger management
Reply:Yes you are right it is bipolar and there is no cure but there are treatments and meds that will help her.I to am bipolar and have been on meds for two years.I now live a great life and she can too.
Reply:Depends what exactly triggers it, but if it's noise related then I can understand her. Got something like that myself where specific noises can trigger a very violent reaction that even I have no control over. Tapping fingers on a table is one of the triggers and I could imagine humming would work.





The closest I've come to treatment is something called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which tries to retrain your brain to ignore or bypass these triggers. Not sure how well this works as still waiting for it.





However, *if* it's not specific to certain noises and lasts more than 10 seconds or so, then I suspect there's something else causing the effects. Wouldn't say it sounds very bi-polar, but at the extreme end I might suggest some form of schizophrenia as that can suddenly trigger, although she's a bit young and that is a pretty extreme end of the options list.





Really depends how long this has been going on for, but a doctor is probably a much better option than therapists who to be honest are often overpaid, self-taught and useless. You need someone with medical training to look at all the options.
Reply:obviously, you cant deal with this alone and you cant fix it. have you tried talking to your parents when she is not around and let them know how much ith bothers you and how much you want to see her helped and get to a healthy happy state of mind. she seems so angry. what has happend to cause such intense anger and lack of self control in a young child?


as stated by others....she needs to be seen by a doctor and mental health professional for proper testing and diganosis.
Reply:It doesnt sound like bipolar. It seems she needs some anger management though. I think she is reaching or recently reached puberty and her hormones are raging. In any event, she should seek professional help. Btw, how does someone as young as you know anything about cutting?
Reply:I am so sorry you have to live under those conditions. It must be so stressful to you and your parents, and even to your sister as well. She may not be able to help herself.I am not sure if she has bipolar disorder but she does sound from what you described that she has some sort of mental illness. Your parents need to keep trying to find a therapist who will work for your sister. Just out of curiosity, why didn't they work out? Just like any relationship, sometimes therapists and their clients just don't click. By not continuing to try to get her help, your parents are in a sense giving up on her. Without any help, this problem is going to get worse as she gets older (and physically stronger--she sounds dangerous). They need to keep trying to find someone who can help. Yes, it's exhausting work but your parents out to your sister and to you. Is your sister on any medications? It sounds like she can definitely benefit from some psychotropic medications--which ones depend on her diagnosed condition. Your family could probably also benefit from family therapy. This is a lot to deal with, and even the strongest families would suffer. Take care.
Reply:It is hard to determine if she has bipolar at such a young age. But that does not rule out that she may have a problem. Her behavior being so aggressive and at times violent does indicate a deeper problem than just normal teenage behavior. Apparently a trigger for her is tapping and humming. Arguments only inflame the situation more. She definitely needs to get help. In this case, I feel a psychiatrist may be needed. A therapist does not have the extensive training that a psychiatrist has nor the ability provide medication that the patient may need. **I am bipolar and grew up in a bipolar home. My grandmother and mother are. My oldest sister is schizophrenic. My best friend in high school had an anger management problem. So I do have some experience. Good luck. Let me know how it goes.**