To HVM PhD-KDK re: 4/28 post

Posted by Pam on June 27, 1999 at 09:21:26
Sorry, I did not go back to the Board after the first few responses and then my father became ill and I have been up North for a month with him.  His death has added to my son's depression altho he is handling the IBS pain pretty well now that school is out.  He wanted to come with me to see about my dad, but my dad was in pretty back shape and school was still in session so I wasn't sure it was wise.  However, once his death was emminent, I called my husband and he and the kids started driving up.  My dad died before they got up there, so now my son has no closure and is angry.  Unfortunately, for that period, my husband discontinued the pain/stress management treatments.  
Altho July is almost here, it will still be a few weeks....if the offer still stands for a referral, we live around the Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater area of Fla.  My son is now obsessed with the fact that soon I'll die then his dad then his little brother and then he'll be alone.  We did see a "holistic" psychiatrist who thought his "system needed to be cleaned out".  Hmmm!  He also changed him to Zoloft from Wellbutrin as he felt it might also help his compulsive overeating, but he has not been taking it on a regular basis while I was gone.  He also prescribed Adderal for the ADD altho there was only one week left of school and I told him we tried Adderal once and it did nothing for him.  So, we won't be going back to him!
He is volunteering at the local VA hospital for 2 days/week in the hospice, no less (my dad died of metastatic pancreatic cancer as did my mother), and, while I think it could be very good for him, he is already starting to worry whether or not specific patients will still be alive when he goes back next week.  He can be so insensitive to his brother and father, but so empathetic to strangers!  We are considering burying my dad's cremains at the VA cemtery that's on the grounds so we can "visit" when we want to.
Thanks again for you help and the SLD address.     Pam

Posted by HVM Ph.D. - KDK on June 28, 1999 at 16:25:50
Dear Pam,
Here are a few suggestions that might put you 'on track'.
(1) Dr. Martha S. Campbell is a pediatric mental health clinician in Tampa. You can reach her at 988-1992.
(2) Naomi S. Korn is a pediatric mental health clinician in St. Petersburg. You can reach her at 894-6501.
(3) John F. Lambert is a pediatric mental health clinician in Clearwater. You can reach him at 529-8988.
(4) You can also call the American Psychological Association at 1-800-964-2000 and get the name(s) of psychologists in your area.
(5) Also check the local telephone directory for the area office of the American Psychiatric Association - you might be able to find a child psychiatrist (preferably board certified and a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). It's better to turn to a child psychiatrist - this is really a specialty, and requires training and credentialing beyond what is required for adult psychiatry.