My grandson was dx'ed with bipolar, odd, ocd, ptsd about 3 years ago at the age of 6. It's been an up and down battle with him to keep him safe and healthy. This is where we are right now. Has anyone else had a child going through this? If so, do you have any words of wisdom for me?
Ok, here goes -
Larzs' outbursts and behaviors have been escalating for about 3 months now. His mom has explained to his T and his team that he needs some kind of med change. They are slow at responding to these requests. And sometimes my daughter does not follow up the way she should either.
Larz received a new med about a week and a half ago that was supposed to help stabilize his mood swings....it didn't touch it. He has been very mouthy at home, always having to have the last word, never listening to exactly what anyone is saying to him in order to try to help him through his difficulties and now for the past 40 days or so has been physically lashing out at his friends, the kids at the boys and girls club and himself....ie, punching himself very hard in the face, the head, his stomach and his extremities. He was suspended from the boys and girls club the other day for 2 days because he bent back some fingers of another kid and got up on the pool table and started throwing the pool balls around the room. He was scheduled for overnight camp for 12 days and did great with it last year. After 3 days, he was suspended from that and sent home because he attacked a kid in his bunk house. Over the past couple of months he has been banned from playing with the kids next door, his friends for inappropriate behavior, aggressive and some sexual as well.
My daughter finally had enough the other day and we took him to the ER to be checked out and admitted to the children's psych hospital. They agreed in their assessment of him that he needed to be there. So, he is there now....lord knows for how long. At the very least for 2 weeks. He'll miss the start of school. He was so looking forward to going back to school.
I went with my daughter to the hearing at the state hospital to have Larz committed involuntarily. When he spoke with the attorney handling his case, he told her that he knows he needs to be there and that he needs help in controlling his angry outbursts and learning how to deal with his peers. It brought tears to our eyes to think that a 9yr old boy has such insight into his emotions and feelings and knows that he can't do this alone. And even though he is 100% on board about being in this hospital, he's involuntarily admitted because the hospital will have the right to hold him there until they feel he is no longer a danger to himself or another, even if he feels he is ready to leave before they do. That's the involuntary part Even the judge was taken back by Larz admitting to the fact that he needed help and was calm, cool and collected at the hearing. You have no idea how proud I am of him.....and at the same time how my heart is breaking for this beautiful grandson of mine who has a huge heart and much compassion for others when he is not out of control.
The psychiatrist called my daughter this morning and informed her that they took Larz off the med that his team put him on to help his mood. He said this med was basically worthless in helping anyone with their personality disorders and mood swings. They have now started him on lithium with a seroquel prn. I am really nervous about the lithium. I know it's done wonders for a lot of folks, but I'm wondering where do we go from there if he maxes out on it at a very young age??? I can't wait to speak to the psychiatrist myself as I have many questions at this time.
So, thats where we stand now. The house is relatively too quiet, I miss seeing him here and his hugs and kisses and hearing "I love you grammie" many times a day. My heart is very sad right now...so please forgive me if I'm somewhat quiet for awhile.
sabby