The Explosive Child
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Anonymous
To OP, I've posted a few times now. Mine is the door stabber. I take medication for anxiety myself. (I didn't at the time, I can see now that I should have) As an adult I can say it does alter who I am.  I'm far less anxious, less likely to blow up at the smallest thing, and able to relax. Talk to the doctors about your concerns though because it's a trade off for kids. I do wish we would have given ds the opportunity to feel more in control of himself. He is now 24, and refuses help of any kind.
To the quoted PP, even ds's psychologist had concerns about medicating at such a young age. The only way she would have medicated would have been with a hospital stay while levels were figured out. Suicidal tendencies can be enhanced. Which makes no sense to me. |
Anonymous
OP, this poster is a troll and most likely the one to post that ADHD is a "fraud" diagnosed by "big pharma" on this recent thread: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15/451882.page Any psychiatrist can tell you about drug testing. Vague postings about altering a chid's brain development is incredibly broad and unspecific. This person does not give "evidence based" data to back up their claims. That's the term you are looking for "evidence based." And medication do not alter who they are, but if your child is suffering from anxiety, meds might actually allow her to be her true self. I don't know if medication would be right for your kid, but you cannot dismiss them or accept them from comments based off the internet. Please have these conversations with a qualified health professional. You and your kid are really hurting, so I hope you get the help you need. Take care. |
Anonymous
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OP, I speak from both a sufferer of severe anxiety and OCD and a parent of a child with a similar mental make-up. I've been on drugs for about 10 years and I can say unequivocally that they changed my life for the (much) better. They don't change your basic temperament - no drug can do that. Rather, they give you a chance at self-regulation; the ability to step outside of yourself and go, whoa, what's happening? And take a moment to get yourself together. Do you know what changes a person's biological makeup? Extreme stress, which is what kids who are explosive, or extremely anxious or have OCD experience. There are so many scientific studies that back that up.
My daughter has severe anxiety and it started for her when it started for me, around 9. We didn't jump right into drugs, though. We first tried therapy, healthy eating, lots of exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc. And still, everyday that child suffered and our family suffered. So two years into it, we put her on drug therapy. She still does talk therapy, healthy eating, exercises, and CBT "refresher" courses. But now she's a kid who can handle life so much better. She's still our sweet, creative, kind, smart, sensitive child; only now she can deal with life's ups and downs. And our whole family system is much, much stronger. |
Anonymous
How do these meds on such a young child, not affect brain development? Any physicians care to explain? I doubt it. |
Anonymous
| Those meds come with warnings that they are not intended for people under 18. We investigated it without the internet. Parents need to be very cautious administering the medications to young children. If it's necessary, fine. |
Anonymous
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We do meds, but obviously not lightly. Contrary to taking our child's personality away, it allows it to be there. Otherwise it's overtaken by the anxiety, depression, panic. We had the more severe outbursts. Lots of therapy, consequences, more therapy, working with him ourselves, did I mention therapy?
I agree with many of the PP's. Diagnosis, therapy, exercise, family therapy, consistent consequences throughout school and home. Then, if you're not seeing dramatic decreases in this behavior, visit the meds idea carefully. GL. We're down to yelling and the occasional object throwing, not at people. Sad that it's improvement. But it is! |
Anonymous
| Can PPs tell me why kinds of meds they have tried and were successful with? OP here. |
Anonymous
| Zoloft- it has been a game changer. DS is so much happier with himself and therefore our entire family is more relaxed. When you are always waiting/expecting the next explosion, it takes a toll on everyone around. |
Anonymous
| OP again. If DH is taking a drug, and the psych agrees to try it, I wonder (aloud here) what the chances are of that drug working on DC? Any experiences using same or different drug as parent? |
Anonymous
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Good luck OP.
Seeing therapist now. Can people talk about what food or diet changes they've made? |
Anonymous
Clonidine has been our lifesaver. We tried to avoid meds for YEARS and after 2.5 years of therapy, the meds-averse therapist was like, if this much time has passed and nothing has changed, it's time to try medication. No more living in fear. No more keeping the dog cooped up in one room so he doesn't get hurt. No more hiding the knives. Miraculous. |
Anonymous
OP here. Excellent question! Ideas? |
Anonymous
Dude, thinking of a physician, I think you need to see a psychiatrist. They can help you with your paranoia. (And yes, they can answer your questions about the medications too.) |
Anonymous
| Original Zoloft poster here. We're not sure it's made a huge difference yet, but we're trying. We want our child to be happier and be able to participate in life. |