S
sheepdoglover
Guest
Hi there,
My difficult child is presently inpatient and is being diagnosed with a mood disorder that has a clear bipolar component and they are starting him on lithium. I don't know exactly what they will call it since does not fit any of the classic profiles. There is a strong family history (including myself with bipolar II). by the way, have known for YEARS that he was on the Borderline (BPD) spectum and couldn't get psychiatrists to listen and medicate him appropriately GRRR . . What finally occurred was that age age 14, he became more clearly hypomanic and exhibited grandiosity. Unfortunately this took the form of anti-social types of conduct.
So, over the last several months, he began to use marijuana regularly, "deal" by pooling money from his fellow 8th graders and purchasing from older high school kids. He got suspended twice for defiant behavior--just leaving school. Some violence, but not to us and in retaliation to someone who was violent towards him. And recently, he developed odd/paranoid thinking (these people are out to get me and can't be trusted types of thoughts). No problems with the law.
My big concern is that I have read that he has plans with other boys to start a drug dealing business, and to rob other kids to get $ for said business . . . you get the picture. This is really unacceptable. I have told him I will help him get an accurate diagnosis for his mental illness, and help treat his mental illness. I will also help him with substance use if he needs that help. But I will not tolerate criminal behavior that has a victim for one single minute and I will turn him and his associates into the police.
So, the doctors feel that these "plans" to have a drug business are in part due to this grandiosity he has been experiencing. But he nevertheless seems drawn to this criminal element which worries me greatly.
In your experience, has stabilizing the mood, and removing the substances from the picture, improved the anti-social conduct? I guess I'm hung up on that because as I said, this is where I draw the line. I will not enable anyone, including my son, to hurt another person. I don't think I would even allow him to live in my home--I would send him to a therapeutic boarding school of some sort.
Thank you in advance
My difficult child is presently inpatient and is being diagnosed with a mood disorder that has a clear bipolar component and they are starting him on lithium. I don't know exactly what they will call it since does not fit any of the classic profiles. There is a strong family history (including myself with bipolar II). by the way, have known for YEARS that he was on the Borderline (BPD) spectum and couldn't get psychiatrists to listen and medicate him appropriately GRRR . . What finally occurred was that age age 14, he became more clearly hypomanic and exhibited grandiosity. Unfortunately this took the form of anti-social types of conduct.
So, over the last several months, he began to use marijuana regularly, "deal" by pooling money from his fellow 8th graders and purchasing from older high school kids. He got suspended twice for defiant behavior--just leaving school. Some violence, but not to us and in retaliation to someone who was violent towards him. And recently, he developed odd/paranoid thinking (these people are out to get me and can't be trusted types of thoughts). No problems with the law.
My big concern is that I have read that he has plans with other boys to start a drug dealing business, and to rob other kids to get $ for said business . . . you get the picture. This is really unacceptable. I have told him I will help him get an accurate diagnosis for his mental illness, and help treat his mental illness. I will also help him with substance use if he needs that help. But I will not tolerate criminal behavior that has a victim for one single minute and I will turn him and his associates into the police.
So, the doctors feel that these "plans" to have a drug business are in part due to this grandiosity he has been experiencing. But he nevertheless seems drawn to this criminal element which worries me greatly.
In your experience, has stabilizing the mood, and removing the substances from the picture, improved the anti-social conduct? I guess I'm hung up on that because as I said, this is where I draw the line. I will not enable anyone, including my son, to hurt another person. I don't think I would even allow him to live in my home--I would send him to a therapeutic boarding school of some sort.
Thank you in advance