JKF
Well-Known Member
Hi, I'm new to your forum and I have to say I am thrilled to have found it!
My 17 y/o son is having major problems. He has been diagnosed with ODD, Depression, Mood Disorder and ADHD. He has a serious addiction to electronics/computers/video games and he's also a compulsive liar and thief. He was in a group home for approximately 4 years and was just discharged to me and my husband in May. Things were great for the first two weeks or so (the "honeymoon" period) but have rapidly gone down hill since.
In the 8 weeks since he's been home he's been expelled from school for theft of a teacher's wallet, stole $680 in cash from his uncle, stole an IPhone from the clinician at the partial hospital program he's attending and has progressively started defying every rule/expectation we have for him at home. When told no, he throws fits, screams, curses, etc. At times my husband and I, along with our 10 y/o have actually chosen to stay outside in the yard while he has his fits. It's much more peaceful out there than staying inside and listening to him scream at the top of his lungs and throw furniture around in his room. He's also very resentful of his 10 y/o brother and "plays" rough with him. I've seen bruises and I know they are coming from him. We can't leave him alone for even a second without him going through our things looking for something to take. I can't even shower unless my husband is home to "watch" him. Our home life has become a living hell!
Yesterday I received a call from the clinician at the partial hospital program he's attending. She told me he expressed suicidal tendencies and said he didn't trust himself not to hurt himself or others. He was admitted into the hospital last night for observation. I feel guilty saying this but last night was the first peaceful night our family has had in 8 weeks. No screaming, yelling, or fear for any of us. I actually slept through the night for the first time in weeks!
We have a meeting tomorrow morning at the hospital with his CMO workers and clinician to determine what the next steps will be. At this point I have asked that he be placed back into residential treatment since he's having such a hard time adjusting at home. I feel so guilty about this but he seriously can't function at home and is spiraling downward. I don't want him to hate me or think I'm abandoning him but he needs serious help and we just don't have the resources to do it at home.
Anyway, that's my story and I'm glad to have found this site. It helps to know I'm not alone!
My 17 y/o son is having major problems. He has been diagnosed with ODD, Depression, Mood Disorder and ADHD. He has a serious addiction to electronics/computers/video games and he's also a compulsive liar and thief. He was in a group home for approximately 4 years and was just discharged to me and my husband in May. Things were great for the first two weeks or so (the "honeymoon" period) but have rapidly gone down hill since.
In the 8 weeks since he's been home he's been expelled from school for theft of a teacher's wallet, stole $680 in cash from his uncle, stole an IPhone from the clinician at the partial hospital program he's attending and has progressively started defying every rule/expectation we have for him at home. When told no, he throws fits, screams, curses, etc. At times my husband and I, along with our 10 y/o have actually chosen to stay outside in the yard while he has his fits. It's much more peaceful out there than staying inside and listening to him scream at the top of his lungs and throw furniture around in his room. He's also very resentful of his 10 y/o brother and "plays" rough with him. I've seen bruises and I know they are coming from him. We can't leave him alone for even a second without him going through our things looking for something to take. I can't even shower unless my husband is home to "watch" him. Our home life has become a living hell!
Yesterday I received a call from the clinician at the partial hospital program he's attending. She told me he expressed suicidal tendencies and said he didn't trust himself not to hurt himself or others. He was admitted into the hospital last night for observation. I feel guilty saying this but last night was the first peaceful night our family has had in 8 weeks. No screaming, yelling, or fear for any of us. I actually slept through the night for the first time in weeks!
We have a meeting tomorrow morning at the hospital with his CMO workers and clinician to determine what the next steps will be. At this point I have asked that he be placed back into residential treatment since he's having such a hard time adjusting at home. I feel so guilty about this but he seriously can't function at home and is spiraling downward. I don't want him to hate me or think I'm abandoning him but he needs serious help and we just don't have the resources to do it at home.
Anyway, that's my story and I'm glad to have found this site. It helps to know I'm not alone!