What are the signs that a bipolar child might need hospitalization?

My son is bipolar and the school has recomended that I put him into an inpatient psychiatric program at a hospital for an evaluation and med change. I am wondering what is the criteria for hospitalizing a child with bipolar because he is not suicidal although he does do some unsafe behaviors and is aggressive with adults, peers, and animals. He rages and is not stable on his meds.

 

Answer:

 

There are 3 different ways a child can be hospitalized. One way is involuntary (by involuntary i mean involuntary to you, not him.) this is a 72 hour hold that when a child is a danger to himself or others. This is the way most people are familiar with. When the child is being admitted this way the hospital has to take him regardless of insurance.

The other way is simply calling up the childs psychiatrist, explaining that the childs out of control behaviours and the schools reccomendations,and the psichiatrist can then call and find an open bed at the psych hospital and arrange for the child to be admitted. When a child is admitted this way the hospital will talk to you about insurance and payment options.

The 3rd way is for you to call the psych hospital yoourself and speak to admissions. Ask them if they have any male pediatric beds available, if they do they will ask you insurance info to see if his stay would be covered. If they determine it wouldn't be covered they will talk to you about payment options. If insurance works out and bed is available you have only to drive him there and admit him.

I have done all 3 of these durring my sons bipolar treatment. The first time was the 72 hour hold that happened at school, and it turned into a 10 day stay. The second time I did it the 3rd way I described and he stayed a week. The 3rd time he was admitted I had his psychiatrist arrange for a bed because I couldn't find one available. All the hospitals were full.