klmno
Active Member
difficult child has appointment with PO tomorrow so I called her today to update her on trying to get difficult child in psychiatric hospital last week (I called psychiatrist's office 3 times in 1 week with medication/ erratic behavior issues) and calling police on him Sun when he "disappeared" and that I wouldn't have called police except that I was concerned about where he was and what he was doing due to previous "signs" of mania for the week prior. As it turns out, he came home on his own after cooling off, apologizing, and policeman said he's checked and there were no signs of illegal activity. And I told her of upcoming iep meeting (she wants to be in the middle of that too).
Anyway, she says she is going to put difficult child on ankle bracelet/monitor tomorrow. At first, I didn't think this was such a bad idea. But, the more I think about it, I'm wondering what is this supposed to accomplish? Is it going to stop manic behavior or prevent it or just set him up to punish him for it? She asked what brought this on Sun- I told her I had been frustrated with all the happenings the prior week and I said things to him I shouldn't have said. She said then he should have gone to his room to cool off. Yes, and that would be rational. But, difficult child is not rational or stable right now. He is sometimes erratic, sometimes raging, sometimes an emotional basket case. But he is definitely not rational . And, this is bipolar- it isn't a (juvenile) detention issue- it is a psychiatric hospital/treatment issue.
If she were putting him on this monitor to somehow stop a bad thing from happening, I would be ok with that. but she can only check it during her business hours- this monitor won't be linked to police, she says. So, it can only give her ability to see where he has been the next day. Why can't sd, legal people, everyone see that this will not prevent or cure difficult child problems?
And, is she and the GAL going to end up making a big deal out of my telling her that I was at witz end because I'd spent a week trying to get difficult child into psychiatric hospital or some kind of help, to no avail, and got frustrated and said things I shouldn't have said, that I know hurt his feelings, on Sun? (They were bad things I said but I wouldn't say abusive- just that I should have known it would trigger something, and that is bad on my part)
I don't think I can live this way much longer. She asked how I punished him for this. I told her there isn't much I can do- I have ALREADY taken everything away (per her requirements)- it won't CURE IT!. WE should NOT be pushed to a point where we are having thoughts of giving up on our kids IF the ONLY reason is that we can't get them adequate help and every resource we have available just wants to punish. The guide from child & adolescent biopolar foundation states "punishing a bipolar child for raging (and I assume being manic or otherwise exhibiting symptons and regarding kids with other diagnosis's too) is the equivalent of punishing an asthmatic child for having an asthma attack". And, what do they keep on doing.....
Is it impossible for them to put forth the same time and money and effort to provide treatment instead of punishment? If they did that, could we not find it easier to not be so frustrated with difficult child issues.
Vent for the day- sorry..
Anyway, she says she is going to put difficult child on ankle bracelet/monitor tomorrow. At first, I didn't think this was such a bad idea. But, the more I think about it, I'm wondering what is this supposed to accomplish? Is it going to stop manic behavior or prevent it or just set him up to punish him for it? She asked what brought this on Sun- I told her I had been frustrated with all the happenings the prior week and I said things to him I shouldn't have said. She said then he should have gone to his room to cool off. Yes, and that would be rational. But, difficult child is not rational or stable right now. He is sometimes erratic, sometimes raging, sometimes an emotional basket case. But he is definitely not rational . And, this is bipolar- it isn't a (juvenile) detention issue- it is a psychiatric hospital/treatment issue.
If she were putting him on this monitor to somehow stop a bad thing from happening, I would be ok with that. but she can only check it during her business hours- this monitor won't be linked to police, she says. So, it can only give her ability to see where he has been the next day. Why can't sd, legal people, everyone see that this will not prevent or cure difficult child problems?
And, is she and the GAL going to end up making a big deal out of my telling her that I was at witz end because I'd spent a week trying to get difficult child into psychiatric hospital or some kind of help, to no avail, and got frustrated and said things I shouldn't have said, that I know hurt his feelings, on Sun? (They were bad things I said but I wouldn't say abusive- just that I should have known it would trigger something, and that is bad on my part)
I don't think I can live this way much longer. She asked how I punished him for this. I told her there isn't much I can do- I have ALREADY taken everything away (per her requirements)- it won't CURE IT!. WE should NOT be pushed to a point where we are having thoughts of giving up on our kids IF the ONLY reason is that we can't get them adequate help and every resource we have available just wants to punish. The guide from child & adolescent biopolar foundation states "punishing a bipolar child for raging (and I assume being manic or otherwise exhibiting symptons and regarding kids with other diagnosis's too) is the equivalent of punishing an asthmatic child for having an asthma attack". And, what do they keep on doing.....
Is it impossible for them to put forth the same time and money and effort to provide treatment instead of punishment? If they did that, could we not find it easier to not be so frustrated with difficult child issues.
Vent for the day- sorry..