Bagtaggies
New Member
Just wanted to say hello, first. I found this site by searching "What to do with a teen with conduct disorder." Need I say more?
My stepson is 16, almost 17. We've had troubles with him since he was 11-ish years old, but the big picture wasn't really put together until 2009. He's been officially diagnosed with a mood disorder, but his cooperation has prevented additional diagnosis. We find ourselves in a vicious pattern: We take him to his psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist and he tells them he has nothing to say and sits silently. And when he's tired of playing that game, he says what he knows he "should" (not the truth) so that he gets a clean bill of health with no need to make another appointment. Rinse, repeat. We have yet to find a mental health professional who doesn't see right through his act. <sigh>
Most recently (yesterday), we called the crisis intake line to our local mental health hospital out of pure desperation for help. The psychologist on call was very helpful, and asked about what we'd observed in him over the last year. After I was done talking, he said that he obviously couldn't diagnose, but if it'd help me focus my efforts.... the area I should be looking for information in is in the realm of an "Antisocial Personality Disorder" or a Conduct Disorder. A quick tour on the Mayo Clinic's website... and I think we are onto something. I'd say DSS has 80% (if not more, assuming he's done stuff we don't know about) of the presenting symptoms of Antisocial Personality.
I don't know where to start, now. We want to put him in an inpatient program for the safety of our family (we found under 18 porn on his iPod, and we have a 9yr old daughter in the house). Calling around is getting me nowhere. Everyone points fingers as to who should be able to help... and I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and wasting precious time.
Can someone help me? Guide me to resources, and websites that will help..?
My stepson is 16, almost 17. We've had troubles with him since he was 11-ish years old, but the big picture wasn't really put together until 2009. He's been officially diagnosed with a mood disorder, but his cooperation has prevented additional diagnosis. We find ourselves in a vicious pattern: We take him to his psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist and he tells them he has nothing to say and sits silently. And when he's tired of playing that game, he says what he knows he "should" (not the truth) so that he gets a clean bill of health with no need to make another appointment. Rinse, repeat. We have yet to find a mental health professional who doesn't see right through his act. <sigh>
Most recently (yesterday), we called the crisis intake line to our local mental health hospital out of pure desperation for help. The psychologist on call was very helpful, and asked about what we'd observed in him over the last year. After I was done talking, he said that he obviously couldn't diagnose, but if it'd help me focus my efforts.... the area I should be looking for information in is in the realm of an "Antisocial Personality Disorder" or a Conduct Disorder. A quick tour on the Mayo Clinic's website... and I think we are onto something. I'd say DSS has 80% (if not more, assuming he's done stuff we don't know about) of the presenting symptoms of Antisocial Personality.
I don't know where to start, now. We want to put him in an inpatient program for the safety of our family (we found under 18 porn on his iPod, and we have a 9yr old daughter in the house). Calling around is getting me nowhere. Everyone points fingers as to who should be able to help... and I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and wasting precious time.
Can someone help me? Guide me to resources, and websites that will help..?