OP. i haven't read the whole thread, but have you considered PANS?


http://www.mercurynews.com/health/ci_25600426/misdiagnosed-bipolar-one-girls-struggle-through-psych-wards

Big hug to you OP, you sound strong, brave and very loving. All the best with everything.

Anonymous wrote:OP, would a therapeutic boarding school, therapeutic community for children (maybe a childrens residential program), or special needs camp be an option for your son? You need a break, and it sounds like he needs more help than what he is getting. I don't know your story so perhaps you have tried all of these things already.

These things would be great if I could afford them. I'm a teacher at a special needs private school so I don't make a lot of money, but I make just enough that I don't qualify for any kind of assistance. Plus, i pay out of pocket for all of his therapy and psychiatry appointments. Very few child psychiatrists and psychologists take insurance anymore (not the decent ones anyway).

Parent of a child with anxiety, depression and ADHD here - do you feel he is on the right medication?

DC was on an antidepressant that didn't seem to be ideal, but now on a pretty high dose of another that seems to have made a world of difference. Adding a low-dose anti-psychotic (for its sedative qualities more so than its anti-p qualities) seems to have made a world of difference. Mentioning this not for the specific med types but just that I was surprised how much our world changed when her meds changed.

Hang in there. You are not alone in struggling with the mental illness of a child and I hope that is comforting. It can be very isolating. We have definite peaks and valleys and I know how very very rough the valleys are.

(Hugs)

OP. my 16yo was prescribed xanax. It is at the discretion of the doctor. Tell the doc that he has grown increasingly unable to control.

Anonymous wrote:I just really want to be done. I'm tired of it all. I've posted before on here about my mentally ill son. He's 11 and we've been seeking treatment for him since age 4. None of the many many psychiatrists we've seen over the years can help us. I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. If I could look into a crystal ball and see that one day he was going to be okay and find a wife and have a good career, etc. maybe that would give me some hope. I'm just so tired of it all.

any support groups available - or friends in the same situation?

OP, would a therapeutic boarding school, therapeutic community for children (maybe a childrens residential program), or special needs camp be an option for your son? You need a break, and it sounds like he needs more help than what he is getting. I don't know your story so perhaps you have tried all of these things already.

Anonymous wrote:Serious question - could you give your child something like xanax when he needs to be in such situations like the doctor?

It's funny you asked this question, because I just left a message for my son's psychiatrist yesterday asking him the same thing. I don't know at what age they can prescribe Xanax (might just be for adults??) but there's got to be something they can give me. A tranquilizer would be nice!

I wonder if your son, when he's grown, will realize the enormity of what you've done for him? I wonder if he will appreciate it? Here's hoping he does, OP.

Hi everyone. OP here. Thank you for all of the support. It really means a lot knowing that all of these people who don't even know me are routing for me. I do get out for a pedicure once a month and sometimes I can leave my son with my ex-husband for a few hours. Sometimes the two of them really butt heads (pretty sure ex is also bipolar but he won't get help for it) so when I'm out a lot of the times I'll get a call that I need to come home. I haven't found a babysitter yet that I could leave him with.

OP, Please seek professional help as soon as you are able to.

Also, I hope you have a support system in place.

You need some respite care and it is essential for your well-being to have some set up.

We all care on here even though we are all face-less and spread out all over the country.

*Hugs to both you and your son*

Please stay strong. Keep the faith.

(((hugs)))