Primary Care of the Psychiatric Mental Health Client I

Rebecca - The Manic Child Video Transcript

Hello. I'm Dr. Steven Pliszka, chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Many clinicians are worried about diagnosing mania in children. The big question is how do you tell manic symptoms from the normal mood swings or the normal exuberance of childhood? In this following video, we see a girl, Rebecca, who is in acute manic state, and this shows you the severity of mood swings that can occur.

Rebecca, how old are you?

I'm 12.

Did you just think of something funny?

Not really.

And how are you doing in school?

Awesome. We had a race in PE, and I ran faster than anyone else in the grade. I think I broke the school record. I ran into one of those hurdle things and went splat on the ground. Everybody was freaking out.

Did you hurt yourself?

There was some blood, but I like to see blood. It's really cool.

And how are you doing in class?

Real good. The work is super easy.

Your mom says you're failing a lot of classes.

Teachers don't know how to teach. I tell them I did all my work, and they say that is wrong. What do they know?

Do you get in a lot of arguments with adults?

No. They get in arguments with me. Do you know that song that goes << I like going through tomato >>

I do not. Have you been getting in trouble at home?

No.

And your mom says you got grounded for throwing a ball at her head.

That was just a joke.

Let me ask you about your moods. Do you always feel as good as you do right now?

Oh, yeah.

And how long has that been going on?

Forever.

And how do you feel about yourself? Do you like yourself?

I'm a great dancer. I'm going to be the star of the school musical.

And do you have any other special talents, things other people don't have?

When I close my eyes, I can hear people's thoughts.

And what do you hear?

I can hear the teacher saying she's not going to make me take the test because I know it already.

And is it like a voice out loud in your head?

Sometimes.

Are you hearing it now?

No.

Do you have a lot of energy?

My mom says I'm the energy as their bunny.

Very good. Do you do that in class?

Oh, yeah. It's so funny. When I dance, it's a fancy dance. A fancy dance, a fancy dance.

Oops.

Ugh. I hate this. Stupid thing is broken. My mom is always buying me junk.

Let me have a look. Here, I think I've got it.

Great. Thanks.