behavior of 17yr old.

[momma]

son has adhd,odd,depressive disorder. acting strange. soils underwear and throws them in trees. (we live in the  country). now he soils bathtub and shower. Dr. put him on risperdal, and said how strange. I know its strange but i need help. No sign of drugs, habit getting worse and he wont talk about it. he is also taking adderral and effexor.He has terrible mood swings. He is in homebound school. explosive temper, and I sometimes find shovels and metal bars in is bed or closet. he says he thought he heard someone. I have shared all this with his drs. I think something more serious is going on. Is he  bi-polar or what?

[HFHS.MD-AJ]

It is difficult to give a diagnosis without evaluating your son. I recommend that you arrange for his evaluation by a child/adolescent psychiatrist. For more information on bipolar disorder, please refer to "bipolar vs adolescence" posted on 4/8/00, with my response dated 4/12/00. Childhood schizophrenia is also a possibility.

[SS]

He may have encopresis if it is fecal. I have worked with children who have this. They become impacted and then can't help the leakage. Then get embarrassed and hide the underware. This often goes along with emotional issues. Take him to a medical doctor for evaluation. They can correct the impaction and start a program for him. Even if its urinary get medical advice first. As for the dangerous objects that shouldn't be ignored maybe a new psychiatrist is in order.