[hopeful34]

I decided to post this to see if there were any others that are going through this or have gone through this with your child.
Starting from the beginning, My Son was born premature, weighing only 1 pound 15 ounces. He had episodes like many other preemies while in the NICU, called "brady's" where he would quit breathing for a few seconds and a Nurse would have to pick him up to revive him... Normal with preemies. This would happen often. As he got older, it took him longer to walk, to talk, and develop more so than a normal full term baby.. However I guess my first question is this... Has any other parents of a preemie learned later on that their Child suffered from mental illness due to the prematurity?? Secondly, Due to Bradys, and lack of oxygen to the brain for several seconds at a time: Any long term effects?? I am trying to figure out and determine if my Child's mental Health issues are related to him being born premature... My other Son who was a full term baby has none of these issues.. I have been told by Doctors that this could be possible however, it was unclear.. He is scheduled for a brain scan next month to see if there is any damage. This will answer a lot of my questions. My Son was diagnosed with O.D.D (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) A.D.H.D,
A conduct disorder, a mood disorder, and also some anxiety and depression... There have also been signs of paranoid schizophrenia.. He is on several different meds some of which include trazadone, seroquel, clonodine, and busbar. I just wanted to know if anyone else has gone through this. It would be great to hear your input.. Thanks in advance

[sabby]

You certainly have your hands full with your son. I'm so sorry he is suffering with those issues.

I have a 14yr old grandson who was not a preemie and suffers with ODD. Doctors are somewhat torn on the ADHD thing and is not diagnosed with it at this time.

Grandson was born normally, but as a tot, was a head-banger. Daughter had to rig his crib mattress on his door so that he would not injure himself when he banged his head.

Grandson has had issues in school since he first started school. He has been in special ed classes for years now. He was sent to a special school for boys with behavioral issues and has just recently admitted residentially there. I'm praying that they are able to help him, lord knows his mum and I haven't had any luck with him. He's a good kid really, he just has such anger issues and of course they turn into behavioral issues.

I pray that your sons brain scan goes well and you will get some answers, one way or the other. I wish I could be more help to you. I'll keep you both in my thoughts.

[vallyanger]

Since it is a problem that he was born with it is important that you talk to a therapist. Medications are good but they have side effects too. Though a therapist won’t be able to cure the problem he/ she will be able to connect to your child in a better way and help deal with the situation

[hopeful34]

Originally Posted by vallyanger

Since it is a problem that he was born with it is important that you talk to a therapist. Medications are good but they have side effects too. Though a therapist won’t be able to cure the problem he/ she will be able to connect to your child in a better way and help deal with the situation

He sees a therapist twice weekly. Also sees a phychiatrist... Not only that but he goes to an alternative school with behavioral specialist there the whole time....

I was born one month prematurely and had seizures for a while until i was two. You son has some of the same problems that I have. It could be.

[-jimi-]

Neighbor's son was a premature baby and even if not diagnosed ADHD he was very hyper as a young child, and later got into "real" trouble. Then again my cousin was born after about the same number of weeks and she turned into a smart, caring and well functioning person. But then again the neighbor had some radioactive rain fall on her while pregnant so maybe that helped too.

You cannot have both ODD and conduct disorder (at least not according to the old DSM, don't know about now). It's either-or.

[hopeful34]

Originally Posted by jimi...

Neighbor's son was a premature baby and even if not diagnosed ADHD he was very hyper as a young child, and later got into "real" trouble. Then again my cousin was born after about the same number of weeks and she turned into a smart, caring and well functioning person. But then again the neighbor had some radioactive rain fall on her while pregnant so maybe that helped too.

You cannot have both ODD and conduct disorder (at least not according to the old DSM, don't know about now). It's either-or.

Actually the conduct disorder can be a result of the O.D.D.
At least that is what I have been told by numerous therapist and Psychiatrist.. They say a conduct disorder can come from another type of mental illness

[-jimi-]

Yea if the ODD gets "too bad" it gets changed into conduct disorder which is a far harsher diagnosis than ODD.

[Jacki~]

Just thinking here about my son....so many similarities......The following site really helped me to understand, help and guild my now, not so small son. Although I am not yet able to post a link. (New to this PC site) Check out Highly Sensitive Person.com HS Person.com The link has a full write up about children who are defiant and

[hopeful34]

Originally Posted by jimi...

Yea if the ODD gets "too bad" it gets changed into conduct disorder which is a far harsher diagnosis than ODD.

Yeah, well I know this. I've been dealing with this for 10 years.

[hopeful34]

Originally Posted by Jacki~

Just thinking here about my son....so many similarities......The following site really helped me to understand, help and guild my now, not so small son. Although I am not yet able to post a link. (New to this PC site) Check out Highly Sensitive Person.com HS Person.com The link has a full write up about children who are defiant and

If you need to talk, please let me know. Best of luck to you

[serloco]

I would try asking him what he wants to do, and what he wants to learn about, what he wants to believe in, and what he wants to put his attention into... etc etc etc.

[Jacki~]

Neurological brain studies of 'youth' indicate there is a reason for much of this difficulty. For sure, you are not alone. Hope you have a better day today.