D
deereid
Guest
First, I want to say how honored I am to have found this site. I have been praying for people who have "been there and done that" so that I can get the best possible advice as I help my difficult child and PCs cope.
My difficult child is 11, soon to be 12. He was evaluated and diagnosis with pediatric bipolar about 4 yrs ago. Now, he was not diagnosis with ODD, but I see all the sure signs of it based on the research that I have done as well as reading through many of the members posts on this site. He is defiant, challenges authority, refuses to do work in school, albeit he can do the work with no problem (we have seen him literally not do school work for about 1 week, then catch up on all the missied work within an hour---this kid is amazing!!). He often speaks negatively, enjoys annoying others, and will ignore you in a minute. He hates to be told what to do, and loves to argue. Most often he will engage others in a battle of wills and intelligence. He talks to himself often...don't think he hears voices, but we are keeping a watch for this. He goes from extreme highs and talkativeness to really bad lows and depressive states. His mind is always racing and thinking. He can be really mean and careless, as well as forgetful. Then, there are days where he is so loving, caring and giving until I think I have two different children.
My goal is to help my difficult child so that he can be productive and have a good life, in spite his conditions. Also, I am trying to seek ways to help my PCs, the hubby and myself, not to mention my difficult child's teahers cope with our difficult child
I know that I need to get him re-evaluation and, I want to cofirm the ODD. I am having a chalelnge finding a child psychaitrist (the school setup the other evaluation so that I can get his IEP, but I want someone that has not subjectivity towards what the schools require, but more what will help my son). I am also having an issue with finding a therapist. Most are family, and I've yet to find one that handles emotional/mood disorders in children. Would love to hear any suggestions on how to find the right specialist, or any alternatives. I live in South NJ, by the way.
Next dillema is the concept of medications. I do not want to make a mistake in this choice. I've read a lot about trial and error until we find the right dosage and the common side effects, which all scare the hell out of me. I don't want to make his condition worse by giving him the wrong medications, or causing other issues to be activated/aggraveted. However, I don't want to see him suffer any longer either and I want him to get the best help he can.
I feel extremely blessed as he is not a severe case. It can be frustrating, and its a challeng at times, but overall, he has been managable. But, we are hitting puberty and I want to make sure that his ODD does not become CD, or to at least help him avoid issues with addiction and delinquency due to his condition.
Please forgive me if I am babeling. Its just so much going on in my own mind and so many emotions that I am sifting through myself.
All thoughts and suggestions are welcomed.
My difficult child is 11, soon to be 12. He was evaluated and diagnosis with pediatric bipolar about 4 yrs ago. Now, he was not diagnosis with ODD, but I see all the sure signs of it based on the research that I have done as well as reading through many of the members posts on this site. He is defiant, challenges authority, refuses to do work in school, albeit he can do the work with no problem (we have seen him literally not do school work for about 1 week, then catch up on all the missied work within an hour---this kid is amazing!!). He often speaks negatively, enjoys annoying others, and will ignore you in a minute. He hates to be told what to do, and loves to argue. Most often he will engage others in a battle of wills and intelligence. He talks to himself often...don't think he hears voices, but we are keeping a watch for this. He goes from extreme highs and talkativeness to really bad lows and depressive states. His mind is always racing and thinking. He can be really mean and careless, as well as forgetful. Then, there are days where he is so loving, caring and giving until I think I have two different children.
My goal is to help my difficult child so that he can be productive and have a good life, in spite his conditions. Also, I am trying to seek ways to help my PCs, the hubby and myself, not to mention my difficult child's teahers cope with our difficult child
I know that I need to get him re-evaluation and, I want to cofirm the ODD. I am having a chalelnge finding a child psychaitrist (the school setup the other evaluation so that I can get his IEP, but I want someone that has not subjectivity towards what the schools require, but more what will help my son). I am also having an issue with finding a therapist. Most are family, and I've yet to find one that handles emotional/mood disorders in children. Would love to hear any suggestions on how to find the right specialist, or any alternatives. I live in South NJ, by the way.
Next dillema is the concept of medications. I do not want to make a mistake in this choice. I've read a lot about trial and error until we find the right dosage and the common side effects, which all scare the hell out of me. I don't want to make his condition worse by giving him the wrong medications, or causing other issues to be activated/aggraveted. However, I don't want to see him suffer any longer either and I want him to get the best help he can.
I feel extremely blessed as he is not a severe case. It can be frustrating, and its a challeng at times, but overall, he has been managable. But, we are hitting puberty and I want to make sure that his ODD does not become CD, or to at least help him avoid issues with addiction and delinquency due to his condition.
Please forgive me if I am babeling. Its just so much going on in my own mind and so many emotions that I am sifting through myself.
All thoughts and suggestions are welcomed.