texasbamafan
New Member
I am so grateful to have found this group! My 7yo DS was recently diagnosed as
Overfocused ADD, ODD, and borderline CD and Bipolar. He has been on Vyvanse to
treat the ADD for the past month, and we have seen great results with that so
far.
This past week, his psychiatric prescribed Risperdal for his ODD and aggression
issues, but here's where I am in a bind. My husband is totally opposed to adding any
more medications and is adamant about not using Risperdal based on what he's read on
the Internet about its side effects. I love husband dearly, and we have what I would
consider to be a relatively strong 10+ year marriage; however, he has been
fighting me tooth and nail on everything related to DS's diagnoses since day
one. He is very "old school" when it comes to mental illness, believing that we
should be able to handle our DS without medications, and feeling as if it's a
reflection on his ability as a parent if we do not. He has been VERY slack about
attending appointments with me, having only been to one counseling session and
NO pediatrician. or psychiatric. visits. It took A LOT of discussion, arguing, and research for
him to even agree to put him on the Vyvanse. He feels that this is enough for DS
to get him through the day.
But, we are seeing more and more "breakout" raging now, especially in the
evening after DS's medications have worn off. The other night, his rage was so bad that
both husband and myself had to physically restrain him for close to 20 mins so he
wouldn't attack his brother. The psychiatric informed me that the Vyvanse is not meant
to treat the aggression symptoms of ODD, ONLY the attention issues with ADD,
which is why she prescribed the Risperdal. She also felt that the Risperdal
would help with the insomnia and appetite issues that the Vyvanse causes. So,
here I sit with the prescription for the Ris. on my kitchen counter, unfilled, and a follow-up visit with the psychiatric scheduled for this coming week. Any words
of wisdom on how to handle this situation with my husband, and also any personal
experience with Ris. and its side effects would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for letting me vent!
texasbamafan: undiagnosed ADHD child of HPD(histrionic personality disorder)
father, currently on Lexapro for depression/anxiety
Mom to 7yo ADD/ODD DS and 9yo "normal" DS
Wife of 10yrs to husband, who also happens to be on Paxil for Panic Disorder!
Overfocused ADD, ODD, and borderline CD and Bipolar. He has been on Vyvanse to
treat the ADD for the past month, and we have seen great results with that so
far.
This past week, his psychiatric prescribed Risperdal for his ODD and aggression
issues, but here's where I am in a bind. My husband is totally opposed to adding any
more medications and is adamant about not using Risperdal based on what he's read on
the Internet about its side effects. I love husband dearly, and we have what I would
consider to be a relatively strong 10+ year marriage; however, he has been
fighting me tooth and nail on everything related to DS's diagnoses since day
one. He is very "old school" when it comes to mental illness, believing that we
should be able to handle our DS without medications, and feeling as if it's a
reflection on his ability as a parent if we do not. He has been VERY slack about
attending appointments with me, having only been to one counseling session and
NO pediatrician. or psychiatric. visits. It took A LOT of discussion, arguing, and research for
him to even agree to put him on the Vyvanse. He feels that this is enough for DS
to get him through the day.
But, we are seeing more and more "breakout" raging now, especially in the
evening after DS's medications have worn off. The other night, his rage was so bad that
both husband and myself had to physically restrain him for close to 20 mins so he
wouldn't attack his brother. The psychiatric informed me that the Vyvanse is not meant
to treat the aggression symptoms of ODD, ONLY the attention issues with ADD,
which is why she prescribed the Risperdal. She also felt that the Risperdal
would help with the insomnia and appetite issues that the Vyvanse causes. So,
here I sit with the prescription for the Ris. on my kitchen counter, unfilled, and a follow-up visit with the psychiatric scheduled for this coming week. Any words
of wisdom on how to handle this situation with my husband, and also any personal
experience with Ris. and its side effects would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for letting me vent!
texasbamafan: undiagnosed ADHD child of HPD(histrionic personality disorder)
father, currently on Lexapro for depression/anxiety
Mom to 7yo ADD/ODD DS and 9yo "normal" DS
Wife of 10yrs to husband, who also happens to be on Paxil for Panic Disorder!