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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Risperdal and mood disorder
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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Risperdal and mood disorder
by SANosil, Aug 29, 2002 12:00AM
I am interested in finding about more about the effects of Risperdal with a mood disorder. How long does it stay in your system and after taking it are the affects immediate or does a certain level need to be maintained in your system. We have a foster child that is on 1/2 mg. and still exhibits agression, irritability, hostility, pouts and whines and complains, issues verbal threats and is verbally abusive, yelling and screaming and extremely hyper. We are told he has a diagnosis of ADHD, & takes 5 mg of Adderall in the a.m., no other official diagnosis has been made as far as mood disorder, and the therapists and psychriatrists attribute his behavior to a 'personality disorder'. Yes, he may have a personality disorder, but we feel there is definitely more going on. We have his younger brother (diagnosed with ADHD & bi-polar) in the house, who is on 15 mg of Adderall 3xday, 625mg of Depakote, and 1 mg Risperal and he behaves (most of the time) like a normal kid. They have the same genetic code (same mom, same dad)and there is only 1 year difference in age, 12 & 11 yrs. old.
Is depakote more effective than risperdal? Is risperdal and depakote both treating the same thing? Why both? Would risperdal in a higher dose, help the older brother? We are told the older brother's behavior has always been worse then the younger brother, so then we are confused why the younger brother is on so much medication and behaves fine, and the older brother is not, and behaves so badly.
Is depakote more effective than risperdal? Is risperdal and depakote both treating the same thing? Why both? Would risperdal in a higher dose, help the older brother? We are told the older brother's behavior has always been worse then the younger brother, so then we are confused why the younger brother is on so much medication and behaves fine, and the older brother is not, and behaves so badly.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Sep 02, 2002 12:00AM
, Sep 02, 2002 12:00AM
I would suggest you have a long talk with your doctor about this. Risperdal is a very serious medication with many risks and interactions with other medications. It is not the drug of choice for mood disorders, so you should ask your doctor what the diagnosis is other than personality disorder or mood disorder.
Member Comments (1)
by woo62970, Sep 22, 2002 12:00AM
I am familair with risperdal and depakote. I take care of mentally dissabuled adults in group homes. I have a girl that takes both the depakote is for seizures and the risperdal is for her dpression and mood dissorder. There isn't much you can do for behaviors. Yes some are side affects from the drug but with out the drugs it would be 10 times worse. Best thing to do is re direct have your child re direct their aggression have them do a task for you like setting the table and praise them afterwards take their mind off the problem that caused the aggression in the first place. Your child is a special needs child and will always need certain care and attention it is difficult and sometimes very hard to cope with a special needs child. good luck and be patient.
by cw, Nov 03, 2002 12:00AM
As stated by sanosil who responded to your question. Rispadal is a very serious anti-pychotic medication. It is given to people who experience auditory hallucinations and visual hallucinations.I have a daughter who is on Rispadal for that purpose. She was later also given a provisional diagonis of ADHD, and put on adderall as well. When she was hospitalized for the 3rd time, the Dr. informed me "you never give adderall to someone who has auditory hallucinations and visual hallucinations, it will make those specific symptoms worse" We also learned the hard way not to have her on anti-depressants due to the Bi-Polar features of her illness, the meds make her more manic. I would find out if the Doctor treating the child is a board certified child pychiatrist. Never be shy to ask claifying questions. I would definantly ask why the Doctor wants to use Rispadal? What is it he using Rispadal for and what is the drug targating? In other words what group of symptoms or specific symptom is it being used for? Hope this helps
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