[Carole07]

I had to take my daughter to the hospital on Tuesday night. She was having extreme mood swings. She said that she wanted to kill herself. She also said that she has psychic abilities and that she can hear other people talking about her in her head all of the time.

I had to see her psychiatrist at the hospital this morning. He asked if there was a family history of mental illness and I had to tell him about me, which made me feel really uncomfortable because the room was full of strangers. I feel completely responsible for this; as though I gave this to her. I can hardly handle what I am going through and I don't know how to help her. I feel overwhelmed and as though I am a really bad mom.

First of all, I feel I must say something very important to you: You are NOT a bad mom. In fact, you're a very good mom because you brought your daughter to the hospital, which is exactly where she needed to be!

When you gave birth to your daughter, was it your intention to pass on mental illness to her? Your answer is no, right? So you shouldn't feel bad about this, although I understand why you do. Personally, I have questioned myself, whether or not I should have children in case I pass on Bipolar to them. But we with mental illness have just as much of a right to have children as anyone else, and we can't control whether or not we pass on our illness to them. It's just something that happens.

All that being said, I hope your daughter is getting the help she needs there. I also hope you'll keep us updated on how she's doing. You and your daughter will be in my thoughts.

[costello]

I'm sorry, Carole. I'll be thinking about you and your daughter.

[mgran]

You're not a bad Mom at all. You're a loving and caring Mom, who got her daughter the help she needed, and who told a painful truth to a room full of strangers... that took guts, and some people couldn't have done it. Your daughter is lucky to have a mother like you on her side.

[costello]

Originally Posted by mgran

You're not a bad Mom at all. You're a loving and caring Mom, who got her daughter the help she needed, and who told a painful truth to a room full of strangers... that took guts, and some people couldn't have done it. Your daughter is lucky to have a mother like you on her side.

I totally agree with this.

[Carole07]

I just wanted to give you an update. My daughter is still in the hospital. The nurses have to fight with her every night to take her medicine. She said she wants to go home. I would love nothing more than to bring her home, but the doctor said she can't leave yet. So now she's mad at me when there is nothing that I can do about it.

The doctor put her on Risperdal. I think she might be too young to be put on an anti-psychotic. She's only 15. Has anyone had experience with this drug?

[mgran]

Originally Posted by Carole07

I just wanted to give you an update. My daughter is still in the hospital. The nurses have to fight with her every night to take her medicine. She said she wants to go home. I would love nothing more than to bring her home, but the doctor said she can't leave yet. So now she's mad at me when there is nothing that I can do about it.

The doctor put her on Risperdal. I think she might be too young to be put on an anti-psychotic. She's only 15. Has anyone had experience with this drug?

I was put on risperodol. It was the first medication that gave me any relief from the psychotic thinking and paranoia... it also cut out the hallucinations almost entirely. I can't remember quite how long it took to work, I think a few weeks.

Unfortunately I did have some quite severe side effects, weakness, exhaustion, dizziness, tingling in my feet, increased appetite, leading to weight gain, and finally I started lactating. At that point I was put on seroquel XL, which turned out to be a wonder drug... the only side effect I have now is that I'm very tired the next day if I take the tablets too late at night. I even lost some weight.

Not everybody reacts as badly to rispiridone as I did, so please don't panic about it. If the worst comes to the worse they'll take her off it, and probably put her on an atypical anti psychotic. Even with the side effects I was grateful to be on it, since I started thinking clearly again. It gave me a break, and when I switched meds I was able to keep my mental equilibrium.

I do know that rispiridone has been approved for use in teenagers, and that the medical staff will be careful with your daughter's dosage. Hopefully you'll start to see an improvement over the next few days and weeks, and even if this isn't the med for her in the long term, it's an effective start.

Also, I know that my son is also fifteen, and that I'd be worried sick if he had to be on anti psychotic meds. I really feel for you... please be kind to yourself. You're doing the very best you can.

[mgran]

How's your daughter Carole? Are you keeping okay yourself?

[Carole07]

Hi mgran. Thank you for asking. My daughter is doing much better. She has been home for several days now and she returned to school yesterday. She has also been taking her medicine without fighting me. She said that she is not hearing other people talking about her in her head anymore. So I think that the medicine is working. However, she does still believe that she has some psychic abilities and that she can "read" people; whatever that means.

I'm doing ok too. Thanks for asking.

[disguise123]

my daughter was on the same medication at 8. If it is working for her without major side affects then its the right thing to do.
You sound like a wonderful , caring, honest and protective mum.
Be proud of yourself.
Xxxx

[Buddha443556]

I have a few female friends on Risperdol. All complain of the weight gain more than anything else. The younger ones (twenty-somethings) this really ... distresses. No dealing with teens though.

I know they even prescribe it for those as young as 13. I posted a story on Facebook of a Detroit mother who had a shoot out with the police and child protective services over Risperdol.

Good luck to you and your daughter.

[mgran]

I wish I could join your group on facebook... I'm actually scared to, because I don't want too many people to know my diagnoses. There, I'm still largely closeted. Dear me...