What Causes Increased Irritability In Children Post Parental Separation?

Posted on Tue, 13 Oct 2015

Question: I think my 18 year old might be bipolar. she has lied to me about stupid stuff since she was four. i just listen now. she fight to the death of something if something is wrong. she has never been accountable for her actions. i am a recovering addict working a 12 step program. divorced from her real dad at @years old. she has anger towards him. she was touched by her cousin in not in the right spots she said it does not bother her. recently she said it did> now she says she gets angry and moody she looked it up online it says depression. if we don't do what she asks she is angry. she is mad more than happy > she has said since she was five she fears people> she grasps at things why she is mad .tired of leaving this way. her boyfriend walks on eggshells around her
I thought you had doctors for right away

Answered by Dr. Alok Sinha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
it may be depression or some personality issues

Detailed Answer:
Hi, welcome to HCM.
Thanks for asking your health related query.

I can understand suffering of your daughter. Separation of parents, physical and sexual abuse in childhood and addiction in mother has affected her much. In depression a person experience sadness of mood most of the time, prefers solitude, experiences less/no pleasure in pleasurable activities which he/she used to enjoy earlier, experience lack of energy,reduced libido and poor appetite. Irritabily is also a feature of depression and it is mainly seen in childhood and adolescent depression. If her symptoms are of recent onset then it points towards depression. If her behaviour is like this since last many years then it appears to her personality traits.

You may discuss these issues with your doctor/psychiatrist who may further assess her in detail for concluding a viable diagnosis and initiation of therapy.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar