Problem Behavior Not Always Connected to Mental Illness

It's a common misconception among the "normal"--any time a child with a psychiatric illness demonstrates an undesirable behavior, it's surely connected to his diagnosis. Little do they know, mentally ill kids are, at the end of the day...kids.

I got a phone call yesterday from Bob's teacher, giving me the heads-up on a discipline slip Bob was bringing home for me to sign. Bob had been caught by another teacher "acting out" in the restroom--climbing over the stall walls, scaling the heater and attempting to open the window. He was escorted to his classroom, where he was given the discipline sheet to fill out. He was finishing it as the class lined up for recess, in their usual chaotic manner. He got pushed, and pushed back with the clipboard he was using. According to the teacher, words were exchanged, and Bob's weren't appropriate for mixed company.

Winter, Daylight Savings Time and Impact on Children with Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety

I started to give my usual canned "I'll be sure to discuss this with him" speech, but had only made it through the first line or two before the teacher asked, "You know what happened last Friday, and then today--is there maybe something going on with him? Maybe with daylight savings time ending?"

It's true that changing seasons and the sudden onset of darkness this week has its effect on Bob (and on many children with bipolar, depression and anxiety who are sensitive to light and dark changes). I had forgotten about it, but the teacher had been reminded by Bob's teacher from last year. And it certainly could have some bearing on his snippy mood this week, as could his possibly coming down with the virus his brother had last week.

But the other stuff (last week's fight and the restroom gymnastics)? I don't think any of that is related to either Bob's bipolar or ADHD. I've already opined on the fight; the restroom antics I think are most attributable to a disease I call "Kids Do Stupid Stuff-itis."

Our Mentally Ill Kids Are Still Kids

I considered mentioning this, but frankly, I'm getting tired of having to educate the world about the ins and outs of my child's illness. Perhaps that's not very socially responsible of me, but I'm too tired to be a maverick every day of the week.

It's not the teacher's fault. Early Childhood Ed programs don't offer "Teaching Mentally Ill Children 101," and I did ask her to alert me to any changes in Bob's behavior. (Although I was referring to behavior changes over a period of time--not one incident of kids being kids.)

That's the thing about our kids--their mental illnesses and quirks are certainly capable of interfering with their lives. But they're still kids. They still screw up, even if their psychiatric medications are working and therapy is going well and the planets are aligned. They still say things they shouldn't say. And sometimes, believe it or not, they just have an "off" day.