The MRI revealed a malformation of your son's skull, along with problems with the structure of parts of the brain itself. So, some of your son's problems involve brain damage, which can result from developmental abnormalities, infection, injury or brain tumors. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder which is typified by mood swings of varying severity and which can include serious depression and manic euphoria. There is some debate about the appropriateness of the diagnosis for children and, when diagnosed, is often typified more by extreme lability and volatility, rather than by the manic symptoms typical of adults. OCD is an anxiety disorder that involves recurrent obsessional ideas or compulsive actions.
Obsessions are persistent ideas, thoughts, etc.
Your son's ritualistic behavior could be a manifestation of the OCD, or it could be related to his cerebral dysfunction or to some other mental or emotional disorder. His special educational needs will require attention throughout his school years. You might check with his hospital to see if there is a social service department that can help facilitate collaboration among the professionals involved in your son's care and to offer you support in taking care of your son. Such a department could also put you in touch with community agencies and self-help groups that offer support and guidance to parents of children with multiple special needs. This information is provided for purposes of general medical education only.