[pink&grey]

Hey all, I have not been around in awhile so forgive me for coming here with an issue all of the sudden. I just think this group might be able to give me some advice when I really don't know who to talk to or what to think.

My son is 11 and was diagnosed with ADHD at 8. He really does have it and he's also a very intense kiddo. He's had terrible temper problem since he was just a baby and I've had to take him out of public school. All that said, he's also a charmer and most people love him.

The other day he told me he has been hearing voices. We've talked about it twice and he describes it as a ghost that is haunting him. He says he knows they are not other people talking, but it's more like a repetition of negative comments he hears from other people. He says it's a cloud outside of his head, coming inward. That it doesn't start in his brain but comes in from a cloud hovering around him. Most concerning is that he says he feels it is Satan. Now, we don't go to church and if I ever talk about spirituality it is to pray and about God and love and piece. I don't even talk about Satan.

He also said it's been going on for a long time but didn't want to tell me. He feels like it will never go away.

I don't know what is going on, what to think or what to do. Anyone have advice?

For the record, I'm Bipolar II and my ex-husband is definitely some kind of un-diagnosed crazy Very emotional, former alcoholic, gothic artist by trade.

Thanks anyone who has the time or some insight to share. I just figure that some with bipolar disorder might have experienced this or seen their kids go through something similar.

P&G

P.S. I'm going to cross post to ADHD

[AnxietyGirl916]

Sounds like schizophrenia or another schizotypal disorder w/psychosis. I'd see if you can get him in for an eval by a child psychologist.

[Lillyleaf]

Go see a psychologist for sure. But I would like you to look into a ted talk.

Eleanor Longden: The voices in my head | Video on TED.com

[Otter63]

My son is 26. He has some kind of mental illness. They haven't really given him a diagnosis.

I just want you to know that I understand how hard and scary it is to have a child go through this. If you have a NAMI chapter nearby, they might have meetings for you as a mother of someone with a MI.

Take care. Hugs.

[Victoria'smom]

My son says things in interesting ways, also 11, also dx'd ADHD, and dx'd at 8. Was he dx'd by the pediatrician or psychiatrist? If he has a pdoc call them. If not call his pediatrician and ask for an immediate referral to a child psychiatrist. There is the option of county health if in the US. I'm really hoping your seeing a pdoc. If he's not in therapy, get him to one ASAP. Understand his mind is currently completely torching him. So try to make him feel that what he is talking about is completely normal, fear or uncomfortable-ness from your side will make him feel he's bad. Please talk to his dr alone about this Preferably while he's in school so that it doesn't cause him distress or paranoia.

As him exactly what they say. Give him short positive statments to 'yell' back at them. I wouldn't worry that they're from Satan, the scariest thing a child can think of. Please remind him that you think he's the bravest kid ever and you are so proud of him. Get him noise canceling head phones to block out outside sounds and put songs that go to a deep base beat. Ask him to come tell on it when it get annoying. Keep track of this. If it is bothering him let him use the music

If he has an IEP ask for him to have noise cancelling headphones for tests. Also tell his teacher that he may be preoccupied because there's been some "family issue" or if s/he know's he's on meds tell her he's going through med changes. Don't be afraid to ask about it. Right now, he needs you as his stability and 'kids gloves'. So any little special thing you can think of to do for him to make him safe, secure, and loved is good. Even cuddling in bed and reading a book before bed.

Just try your best to make it as comfortable for him to talk about it as possible. Also stimulants can cause issues for kids that have co-morbid issues.

[venusss]

Tbh, it sounds lot like anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It seems many describe these as "voices" for lack of better description.

But if it's indeed issue of anxieties and intrusive thoughts... find out, before you take him to psych, mention voice and he's on APs.... that will likely not help these issues.

It's not necesarily a psychosis. Try psychosocial intervention first, before you get him labelled and unnecesarilly "treated". Labels will worsen self-loathing by 1000%. And if they are based on misinterpretation of what is really going on... it will do no good.

[pepperlynne]

pink&grey, I am so sorry for what you are going through, and for what your son is going through. It does sound like schizophrenia to me though. I read somewhere online that there is a link between Bipolar and schizophrenia, genetically. This makes sense to me, because my uncle is schizophrenic, and I am BipolarII, I do also believe there is some undiagnosed Bipolar in my family....

Def. take him to the PDOC ASAP, and until then, let him know that he is loved, and that he is safe, and you are there for him....

Wishing you all the best...

[Skittles56]

Here's the thing; a lay person would hear that and say, "Uh oh, that's psychosis." Hearing voices, especially aggressive voices that come from "outside" his head are definitely symptoms of schizophrenia. I think 11 is a little young for onset schizophrenia, but, as everyone here has said, you need a professional opinion.

However...

My brother went through something very similar when he was about 10 or 11. He had gone to spend the summer with our Aunt and Uncle, who are very religious. They had filled his head with all sorts of nonsense. Don't get me wrong, I am a Christian and I am spiritual, but they crammed his head full of so much frightening BS that he had night terrors for months after he came home. He said he thought about death all of the time and he could hear Satan whispering to him. After about a year, it all passed and he is probably the sanest of my siblings.

I know you said you don't put that kind of thing in front of him, but is it possible that there is some kind of outside influence? I don't think you should blow off having him evaluated. At the same time, I don't think you need to worry yourself sick over it. Remember, kids can almost always tell when you are upset about things.

Hope this helps.

[AnxietyGirl916]

Not all of us on here are "lay persons".

Just sayin'...

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[venusss]

Well, a profesional would not throw around label of schizophrenia casually based on one post.

just sayin'...

I am not going to diagnose your child, most definitely I would take him to a child psychiatrist. What stands out most to me in your post is the 'negative comments' the voices say. In my support group one young woman described to us her voices and they are mean, they tell her she's ugly, she didn't wash the dishes right, no one likes her, stuff like that. Its a running negative commentary. I don't know that this is what your son is hearing. None of us know what exactly your son is going through but something is amiss and you do need professional help. But for sure, reassure him he is loved and that you are with him no matter what.

[AnxietyGirl916]

It was a suggestion, not a diagnosis.

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Originally Posted by AnxietyGirl916

It was a suggestion, not a diagnosis.

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I know and understand totally, no offense intended to you anxiety girl

[AnxietyGirl916]

Originally Posted by emomom

I know and understand totally, no offense intended to you anxiety girl

Thanks. I wasn't referring to you though. :-)

But, I digress.

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[venusss]

I just think that going to pdoc, especially not a good one and uttering the word "voices"... you gonna get a prescription for some heavy duty drug. There's a thread right now about how amazing (NOT) these are.

As some posters suggest, I'd consider other things but "omg, schizo". At this age person's congitive development is not done yet. Labelling anxiety, coming across bible-thumper and being traumatized by the concept, low self-esteem... or simply intrusive thoughts "schizophrenia" will doom that kid.

Psychosocial help should come first. Love and care should come even before that. Self-acceptance and learning to fight back those thoughts can go a long way.

I say this as somebody who has vivid intrusive thoughts and had them long enough. Sometimes calling on guardian angel, or whatever a positive imagery one uses... is simply enough.

I am not fond of labelling kids bipolar and schizo left right. Most of them are doomed, not cause their "illness" but cause the label and being told they are doomed, different, they're brains are broken. At young age one doesn't have the power to grasp their lifes. Helping them at this front is crucial.

[pink&grey]

Thanks so much to everyone. I have not gotten upset or even bothered at all when he has told me about this, so I hope he takes some comfort in that. He says it goes away when he talks about so I'm going to get him directly back into counseling. I have an appt Monday. We don't have a pediactric pDoc, but I think it's time to get one. Not necessarily to add more drugs, but to monitor the Focalin and it's effects and to have someone to go to in the case there is an emergency. Twice in the last month he has gotten suicidally depressed.

I am also thinking about trying to take a more spiritual route. I liked the guardian angel suggestion and he even said he wanted to see a priest (my parents are catholic).

Thanks so much again for your support and suggestions!!!

[comicgeek007]

As someone who has also had similar thoughts, mine were caused by extreme anxiety and depression over being abused. Not saying your son was, just saying that anxiety/depression can cause things like that, too.

[Victoria'smom]

My son did worse on stimulants, there are some non-stimulant adhd meds that are also antidepressants. I would make sure ask your son if you can tell the Dr. that he has felt suicidal. Asking helps him feel he's in more control. The only thing that has worked for my son is lamictal but it hasn't stopped or slowed down his picking. I would really try a mood stabilizer before an AP.