Quote:
Originally Posted by LillyAnn
I have a daughter who has been difficult from a very early age - rages that lasted hours, mood swings and violent. She could change at a moments notice with no reason.
By the time she was 8 she was seeing a P-doc and dx'd as ADD, ODD and depression. Through the years we have had to change meds numerous times. When the meds are correct she is a happy, outgoing, social, funny and vivacious person.
She stopped being violent towards us (her family) about 4 years ago but, to control how she feels she began "cutting" herself. This has been addressed numerous times by her P-doc and therapist.
Currently: she is 16 and in a Psychiatric Facility (in-patient). She "cut" her leg up pretty bad. The P-doc at the facility believes her previous dx of ADD, ODD and depression really fit under the Bipolar category (not definite) and are not separate issues and her cutting has become an addiction.
As a very worried and concerned parent I have agreed to allow them to start her on Lithium (last night). I am concerned about her future and the affects of Lithum as well as most of the other mood stabilizers.
I want my happy, outgoing, funny, vivacious child back and not a child who is zoned out or sedated.
I am hoping someone here has had an experience with what we are dealing with and could give me some insight or advice.
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Ack. I'm happy you don't just sit back and take whatever it is they tell you without investigating yourself! Good for you!! Your kinda a rare bird these days, as far too many parents give no thought to medicating their kids without assuring that they really need it.
I would get a second opinion with an unaffiliated PSYCHOLOGIST. The psychologist wouldn't be biased by their hockney opinions and reports. He also wouldn't be basing his diagnosis off of what drugs respond to what symptoms.What worries me here (primarily) is their method of assessment. They should be able to diagnose a mental health disorder by diagnostic skill; not basing it on response or lack of response to meds! That's pretty sloppy work IMO, and with medication you want to make sure it's indicated, especially in a still developing young person.
What are your thoughts on the unaffiliated second-opinion idea?
Hang in there!!!!