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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
uncontrolled seizures & adhd behaviors
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
uncontrolled seizures & adhd behaviors
by Ma4jaz, Feb 21, 2009 08:33PM
My 7 yr old son was diagnosed with adhd at age 4, having complex focal seizures since age 5 1/2. On straterra at age 4, for 6 months, didn't work. Next was ritalin it works but his behaviors are still outrageous throughout the day, He gets frustrated easily which then turns into anger and defiance. On clonadine for bed 1mg ritalin 10mg at 8am 10mg at 12pm clonapine .025 twice a day at 8am and bedtime, for seizures. Lamictal 100mg at 8am and 100mg at bedtime, on paxil at bedtime for his OCD behaviors he is also exhibiting constantly. He has had numerous blood work done, MRI, EEGS, Video EEGs, MRI was normal, EEG's all of them show seizure activity constantly. Full genetics lab work up and can find nothing wrong with this blood work. He has had more blood work (genetics) done and we are waiting for these results still Mitochondria cells and etc What should I be looking for with these results? His seizures look like this Pupils, muscles tensing, walking around in circles, speaking jibberish, turns head to the left, tightens his fists. After these he acts very adhd. He pulled his pants down at school and urinated in the garbage can during a seizure. It's strange behavior along with his constant temper tantrums. He acts like a baby when he his done with the seizures also. Why isn't the medicine working?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Feb 22, 2009 08:27AM
, Feb 22, 2009 08:27AM
While I would like to offer you reassurance with a straightforward answer to your question, I really cannot. Your son's presentation is complex, with a combination of neurological and psychological symptoms. The major priority should be on stabilizing the neurological condition and achieivng control over the seizure activity. Once that is stable, attention can then be focused on the psychological issues. One thing I would consider is reigning in the variety of medications in favor os focusing on seizure control. For that reason alone I would suggest reconsidering the prescription of any psychostimulamt while the seizure activity is still present. Likewise, it would be reasonable to suspend the Paxil for now. Perhaps too much (control of all the symptoms at once) is being attemtped and there is a need to simplify.
