They want to admit DD to the hospital

**Rhiamon** · 10-01-2011, 08:00 AM

I have called and made an appointment for her new psychiatrist the day after her EEG. After talking about it I am hoping that we may be able to do a medication trial at home, with an epi pen, benadryl and my mom is an RN. My ex also said he would stay here so I could have access to a car if needed. The more I thought about and the more DD thinks about the worse her anxiety is getting and the worse her behavior is getting.
She has had a couple good days which is nice. Although we had to leave her schools open house because she had a panic attack when we were in the hall because there were so many people.
I personally have a lot of experience with the mental health system both as an adult and as a child, and all they do is medicate the crap out of you when you go to the hospital here.
I am going to get a second opinion from her new Dr. and if she still thinks it is a good idea for her to be hospitalized then I guess that will be the way it has to be. I also want to talk to them about why they want to put her on such high doses of anti psychotics. I am also going to ask at this next appointment if they are changing her diagnosis and if that is the reason for the anti psychotics. I am also going to order the fingold (sp) diet information and try that with her. I am now also on a wait list for parenting children with high anxiety. As well I have been trying to find some parenting courses in dealing with difficult children.
It is just minute to minute for me right now between dealing with all of the stuff for DD and still trying to adjust after being in the hospital myself. So DD has appointments at least twice a week, and I have appointments at least twice a week. Plus my medication and DD's medication I have alarms set all over the house for me and her to remind me of the medication times. My date book is full for the next two months almost everyday.
She is struggling in school right now because she is missing so much due to appointments but most of them I just have to take what is available or wait months for her to see some one. She still sees her tutor once a week as well.
I honestly feel like I can not handle anything else right now. It is like have several children in the house when she is very hyper, and never stops talking. But she can be like two different children. One minute she can be sweet and loving and laughing and the next it could be as simple as the cat stepped on her toy and she is into uncontrollable behavior. They told me even though she has an LD she actually scored above average in many area. So it is hard because she is very smart (that is what the dr that gave her the IQ test said) but because of her ADHD she is emotionally younger then her real age. So I am not even sure what to do with this information.
My ex has really stepped up and is helping out which has been nice.
I guess you could say that I am still struggling with which is the right thing to do, and finding that special formula if there is one on how to help her.

**Daisygirl** · 10-01-2011, 05:31 PM

I've said it before: You're an awesome mom!!!

I know it must be overwhelming - most people would not be as dedicated as you - lucky DD!

Thinking of you!

**mauimagic** · 10-01-2011, 05:56 PM

Just been thinking of you and checking in to see how you are. Blessings to all those who have so shared from their hearts.

**Rhiamon** · 10-04-2011, 07:41 AM

This morning I am having one of those hopeless feelings regarding my daughter, she has only been up for an hour and has managed to loose, the tv, the computer and the xbox. She has slammed my hand in the fridge hit me and punched me. Why because I told her no. She has an EEG tomorrow and an appointment with her new psychiatrist on Thursday. I don't understand what am I doing wrong?
I have no one to talk to about this as my family and friends think that there is nothing wrong that I am just not being hard enough on her this morning I honestly just want to lock myself in my room and not bother with any of it. I feel like such a failure. I just want to crawl in a hole.

**bonnotsm9** · 10-04-2011, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Rhiamon

This morning I am having one of those hopeless feelings regarding my daughter, she has only been up for an hour and has managed to loose, the tv, the computer and the xbox. She has slammed my hand in the fridge hit me and punched me. Why because I told her no. She has an EEG tomorrow and an appointment with her new psychiatrist on Thursday. I don't understand what am I doing wrong?
I have no one to talk to about this as my family and friends think that there is nothing wrong that I am just not being hard enough on her this morning I honestly just want to lock myself in my room and not bother with any of it. I feel like such a failure. I just want to crawl in a hole.

You aren't doing anything wrong. My dd had very similar behavior problems when she was 8. She'd attack me, push over her bunk bed, try to open the van door while we were driving, rip her clothes to pieces, bite herself until she drew blood- you name it. Her aggression was way out of control and the littlest thing could set her off. She didn't do well on Risperdal either. It was at this point that we wanted to hospitalize her to adjust her meds. She's now on an effective mixture of meds and is much happier (and easier to live with).

**Rhiamon** · 10-12-2011, 06:53 AM

So I met last week with in the head of child and adolescent psychiatry. It went very very well. It turns out DD has been on the wrong medication for 2 YEARS!!!!! The medication they had her on does not work in children because of the way a child's body metabolisms works. It wears off after only a few hours but they still get all the side effects. They are still keeping her diagnosis of ADHD, LD, Anxiety but she is now on a medication that treats bipolar disorder. She gets Ritalin twice a day and the new med at supper. Since starting this new treatment I have not been attacked, DD is SLEEPING. She had never ever slept through the night with out waking up, sleep walking or having nightmares. She now sleeps like a normal child so around 8:30pm as opposed to 11pm and up at 5 or 6 am. Since starting the medication I have not been attacked, and she has not tried to stab me. Her mood is more stable, and most of her behavior is typical appropriate behavior for an 8 year old. She has hardly had any hallucinations. Her anxiety has come down from above a 10 to about a 5. She says she feels better and more in control.
So she does not have to be hospitalized at this point. I do realize though that it is going to be a continuing struggle for her and I as she gets older and her symptoms change. Sadly though we can not continue with this new dr as she only generally handles inpatients. They are also going to send us to the out patient behaviorists and she will be doing some CBT I think is what it was called.
I am thankful for all of your support and advice. I have another question now though can anyone recommend a good book on raising ADHD and bipolar children?

**Debbie-cat** · 10-12-2011, 08:40 AM

Rhia that is wonderful!!! I am so glad you found the right doctor who has helped to show that with the right meds, the situation can be better. Hugs to you. You have never done anything wrong, she just needed the proper help.

No suggestions on books but I am sure someone will have some great ideas.

**ktsmama** · 10-12-2011, 09:50 AM

Great news! I am so glad that she is feeling better. You certainly sound better, too. I hope she continues to do better on her new medication. Hang in there, you are doing a great job!!

**Lora88** · 10-12-2011, 10:04 AM

praying for all of you

**nodmicks** · 10-12-2011, 10:11 AM

I'm glad she is on correct medication now! 2 years is a long time. You are such an awesome Mom and advocate for your DD!

**Rhiamon** · 10-13-2011, 06:36 PM

I had to go pick DD up from school today because she said she wasn't feeling well. I got her home and we started talking she was hearing voices calling her name and telling her to kill and hurt other people. So I called the hospital and her dr and I have to bring her in tomorrow morning for admittance. I feel like I am on such a roller coaster right now.

**peanut** · 10-17-2011, 06:22 PM

Rhiamom: the book I used was "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" by Edmund Bourne...but a that's aimed at adults creating a self-management program...not children or parenting them. It sounds like she's bipolar.

Here's a link that looks good... I'll keep a lookout and see what else I can find for you.

Have you contacted the Ontario division of the Canadian Mental Health Association? They may have a library full of resources for you to use. We have one here in Regina and they mail books all over the province for people needing help.

**dancemommy** · 10-20-2011, 10:34 AM

Have your child's doctor check her inflamation levels. Not all doctors know how to do it. But they are now finding that people with high inflammation levels have symptoms of all kinds of things (mental illness, fibromialgia, autism, arthritis, etc). If your child gets strep often or was ever exposed to Lyme disease (even if you could have been a carrier of it when pregnant with your child) they could have dormant disease. They have found that some people who are treated on antibiotics for a long course and get rid of inflammation in their bodies have reduced or sometimes even eliminated symptoms. Eliminates the cause sometimes rather than just treating symptoms. Just another thing to look at once you get her stabalized. We have mental illness in our family so I empathize with you...it is amazing the research being done right now though.