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Intro...hello everyone!

Leslie - posted on 09/10/2009 ( 1 mom has responded )

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9

Blessings to you!



My name is Leslie and I'm a SAHM to my 3 kids, my oldest just turning 6. Starting at age 3, he was having awful meltdowns to a point where I really did NOT want to go out of the house in fear of others seeing him that way. We joined a playgroup and sure enough, at EVERY meeting, he'd get upset and throw these HUGE tantrums to a point of getting violent towards myself and others. Just after he turned 4, I had him evaluated and he was dx with ADHD with progressing Bipolar. At that time I refused the meds since that's all they seemed to want to help me with. I wanted to research further to see if there was anything else that could help him before resorting to medication. A year later, we went back and started meds since nothing was changing while trying behavior modifications and such. He was put on Focalin and Risperdal. It helped reduce his number of violent outbursts after about the first month, however after about 3 months he suddenly seemed to snap and started becoming violent numerous times a day including biting me, which he had never done before. We immediately stopped the meds and have yet to find another dr to help us. I feel in a corner at the moment trying to find the right dr while also trying to keep my son under control. I am homeschooling him and everyday we have breakdowns and I have to stop and just let him cool off before we begin again. It's such a trying experience and I occassionaly grieve the loss of a 'normal' child, however I love my son dearly and pray that we can find a solution soon to help him.

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Nia - posted on 10/09/2009

15

13

Hi, my son who is now 10yo was diagnosed a year ago with the onset of Bipolar and ODD, From an eary age he was having violent outbursts and was self hurting. He ended up having a phycotic break before anyone would help us. He now has a very understanding psychiatrist who has medicated him. I had to home school for 6 months last year, but he got very depressed. He now is at school part time with a Teacher's aide and I home school him the rest of the time. It is very trying having a child who just want's to be an "average" kid. We use average instead of normal! We have had to change alot of things in our family life as I have 2 other children. His outbursts and self mutilation is still there but, with talking (which was very hard at first), these are only happening once or twice a month, where in his bad times could have happened twice a week. The only thing I could advise you in would be to keep pushing for a good doctor. This will be the only thing that will help you and your family. People and doctors don't want to believe that our children could have these problems from a young age. But as you and I know they do happen. Good luck, if you need anything let me know.

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