My son shot a BB gun at me and my husband!

[ggluvbug]

I thought my son was doing a little better at the beginning of last week. He was being sweet, getting along with everyone, etc. Then toward the end of last week, he started staying up late, he figured out how to get around my passwords on the computer and was looking at porn, he was moody and very teary-eyed all weekend. Then yesterday afternoon, he was shooting targets in the front yard with a BB gun. I was watching him through the window. But he wanted us front and center watching him. My husband and I were watching the football game and told him we would go outside when the 4th quarter was over. He kept demanding. My husband, who isn't the best at handling my son, swore at him and told him he would have to wait. Then my son decided to point the BB gun at him and threatened to shoot him. When my husband reacted, he started shooting it at my husband's truck, and took off running down the road. Eventually he came back and started aiming at me and his dad again. I called the police because I didn't know what else to do. So finally, the police showed, and things settled.
I called the psychiatrist's office today and he is going to the hospital for an assessment. I don't know if they will put him in or not. He has been 2 times before.
I just don't know where this comes from. He was being OK, then bam! I am so tired of it.

 

[April]

I am sorry that you have these issues. I don't have them (yet). I am just here to offer a friendly ear and some support.

Lots of hugs and prayers are being sent your way!

 

[ggluvbug]

Thanks. You know, it used to be tantrums and self-destructive behavior like pulling hair and banging his head, but now he does those things, plus he does this. It is scary. I have 2 small daughters at home. We don't have any other kinds of guns at the house...too afraid to have them, but what is to stop him from grabbing a stick or a bat or a knife?

 

[April]

Oh my...right now my daughter is bigger than my son and could defend herself if needed. To be honest, I hope it stays that way. Both of their birth parents were very tall people, but my daughter is very solid and muscular. My son is just a lanky twig...they are both 9 & 10 years old and already 5' tall. I am hoping that she maintains her musculature and he stays lanky until he can control his impulses.

You are right to be concerned, has he turned this behavior on your little ones yet, or is it normally focused on you and your husband?

 

[Big Bad Kitty]

You took the gun away? Yes?

Nobody knows what would stop him from picking up a bat or a knife. For the time being, quietly move the knives somewhere out of his reach. Seriously. This is very frightening if he cannot see the boundary between targets and other people and their property.

 

[JJJ]

I would use the time he is at the hospital to difficult child-proof your home. Get rid of the bb gun, bats, any other toy that can easily become a weapon. Lock up all your sharps (knives, scissors, tools, etc).

I hope the psychiatrists are able to help him.

 

[Hound dog]

I would also ask the psychiatrists to look at the possiblity of one of his medications causing him to be more aggressive than normal.

Sending warm (((hugs)))

 

[BusynMember]

I would definitely not let this child know guns of any kind and I'd lock up anything sharp or dangerous. He's pretty unstable if he'd shoot at you. I hope you find the right kind of help soon. I'm sorry you have to go through this. Also--hub should learn to calm down. Acting out, cussing, hitting, etc. is like throwing oil on the fire of our kids. It only makes things more difficult. Also, it doesn't seem like the medications are working, however it does take eight weeks for Depakote to kick in and it doesn't work for everyone...don't know much about Abilify except that our old psychiatrist said it could "activate" some kids.

 

[meowbunny]

I'm so sorry. It must be heartbreaking to have your child be that dangerous and volitile.

I definitely agree that you need to start locking up or getting rid of anything that could be used as a weapon. I had friends who actually locked all but butter knives in a safe in the kitchen because of their son. One day, he grabbed a butter knife and stabbed his father. Fortunately, the damage was minimal. The heartbreak for all was irreplacable.

 

[witzend]

The advice you have received already is right on, so I won't repeat it. Take a day off work if you have to in order to difficult child proof the home. If your husband has weapons, he needs to be responsible about locking them up and keeping the key - or better yet the combination - with him.

 

[Steely]

:frown: So sorry you are going thru this. Does it make you feel better that my son used to do the same thing? It was horrible, and scary, and made me fear for his future (heck I still fear for his future). But he is not a bad kid. He is still a sweet kid, who gets over the top angry sometimes. You have to remember that in times like these - otherwise it is too easy to decided you son is the next serial killer. He is not. He just needs help.

I would take the advice others have given you here, and I would go ahead and make sure he is in a psychiatric hospital. While he is there, demand a neuropsychologist evaluation, which is a long, extensive, battery of tests, that will hopefully give you a better idea of what type of mental illness he is dealing with.

And take it from someone who just went through this - lose the Klonipin. My son ended up becoming addicted to it, not to mention his behavior was worse on it.

 

[tessaturtle]

For what its worth, difficult child was out of control aggressive on Depakote.
Hope things calm down for you!

 

[ggluvbug]

I would definitely not let this child know guns of any kind and I'd lock up anything sharp or dangerous. He's pretty unstable if he'd shoot at you. I hope you find the right kind of help soon. I'm sorry you have to go through this. Also--hub should learn to calm down. Acting out, cussing, hitting, etc. is like throwing oil on the fire of our kids. It only makes things more difficult. Also, it doesn't seem like the medications are working, however it does take eight weeks for Depakote to kick in and it doesn't work for everyone...don't know much about Abilify except that our old psychiatrist said it could "activate" some kids.

I agree that he should learn to calm down....my son inherited his issues. We have that conversation all the time. He tries, but it isn't good enough alot of the time. They are truly like oil and water.
My son has been on Depakote since August of '06. But is it the right thing? I am questioning it all anymore!
I was leary about the whole BB gun thing. We don't have any other guns....nor will we as long as my son lives in my house. We live way out in the country, so we used to have one in case a snake or coyote came up in the yard, but we got rid of what we had years ago.

In reference to the Abilify, my dad said the same thing (he is a psychiatric nurse) and thinks we ought to try something else.

I am taking him to be accessed in the morning. His doctor thinks he needs inpatient again.

 

[ggluvbug]

So sorry you are going thru this. Does it make you feel better that my son used to do the same thing? It was horrible, and scary, and made me fear for his future (heck I still fear for his future). But he is not a bad kid. He is still a sweet kid, who gets over the top angry sometimes. You have to remember that in times like these - otherwise it is too easy to decided you son is the next serial killer. He is not. He just needs help.

I would take the advice others have given you here, and I would go ahead and make sure he is in a psychiatric hospital. While he is there, demand a neuropsychologist evaluation, which is a long, extensive, battery of tests, that will hopefully give you a better idea of what type of mental illness he is dealing with.

And take it from someone who just went through this - lose the Klonipin. My son ended up becoming addicted to it, not to mention his behavior was worse on it.

My son hasn't ever had the neuropsychologist thing done, and I plan on asking for it.

As far as the Klonipin goes, he doesn't take it alot, but it is the one medication out of the 3 that I can that has a positive affect on him. I worried about the addiction aspect, but he is surprising mature when he has to take it. He can tell when he needs it and we always discuss it when the anxiety gets bad. Often, he will work to try to overcome it without having to take it. I guess even my little lulu can be rational sometimes.

 

[wakeupcall]

My difficult child was over the top aggressive when he was on Depakote. It scared me to death and I took him off it. I had found myself running from him and locking him out of my bathroom because he was coming after me. Read up on the rare and unusual side effects of Depakote and see if it sounds like the behaviors your difficult child has. Be sure to check with his doctor first if you think he needs to be taken off of it.

 

[flutterbee]

Nothing to add...just (((hugs)))

 

[ggluvbug]

Thanks for the info on Depakote. He was agressive before, but his agression is more pronounced now.

 

[Wiped Out]

Just sending some supportive hugs and prayers your way.

 

[goldenguru]

Hoping things have calmed a bit. Hugs from me as well.

 

[FlowerGarden]

Sending hugs and let us know how the assessment went