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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
What is the best way to rule in/out possible brain damage?
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.
What is the best way to rule in/out possible brain damage?
by CaringMom, Aug 13, 2003 12:00AM
Dear Dr.
We are at the end of all options in dealing with our 20 yr. old daughter. She has had epilepsy since age 11, with her last and very extremely severe seizure at age 15. Her pediatric neurologist consistently ignored our pleas that something was wrong with her all the time her grades plummeted. As time went on her personality changed progressively for the worse. (Note: She took Depakote as prescribed for most of this time. but was weaned off it once (then back on after a mild/partial seizure) and later stopped taking any medication.) She was taking Depakote regularly (but went cold-turkey for several days prior to the severe seizure.)
While she was a good student and tested for GATE in early elementary school, since the onset of her seizures showed a steady decline in academic performance. She spent 5 years in high school, barely graduating with a 1.2 GPA. We pursued tutoring costing thousands of dollars. While she has some potentially good qualities that could serve her well in her potential profession and as an adult, we have also experienced the reality that she seems challenged mentally in many ways, what you would expect to see in someone with a low IQ.
To make matters worse, she is now in her 3rd year of stealing large sums of money from our family that has proven to be something she seems incapable of stopping. I must admit that we have treated her as a "bad kid" throughout these difficult years. At the same time, I am inclined to believe there is a fundamental reason for her behavior, having to do with brain chemistry, or possibly brain damage (oxygen deprivation?? from her last seizure?). Last year we arranged counseling (as we had previously a number of times) but she was not cooperative and we gave up.
We are looking seriously at sending her to a private occupational school where the possibility exists she can connect with her personal passion. However, we are fearful that her behavior to date will land her in prison rather than in a career and independence.
It is important to add also we strongly DO NOT suspect drug use. She has never displayed any obvious signs, and we look very carefully at that. He use of the money is on expensive clothes and personal care, plus food treats when out with friends. Her friends have always been those parents would approve of, so we are baffled.
Sorry this is so long, but again, my main question is the possibility of brain damage/chemical disorder and what can be done to accurately diagnose that condition.
Thank you.
We are at the end of all options in dealing with our 20 yr. old daughter. She has had epilepsy since age 11, with her last and very extremely severe seizure at age 15. Her pediatric neurologist consistently ignored our pleas that something was wrong with her all the time her grades plummeted. As time went on her personality changed progressively for the worse. (Note: She took Depakote as prescribed for most of this time. but was weaned off it once (then back on after a mild/partial seizure) and later stopped taking any medication.) She was taking Depakote regularly (but went cold-turkey for several days prior to the severe seizure.)
While she was a good student and tested for GATE in early elementary school, since the onset of her seizures showed a steady decline in academic performance. She spent 5 years in high school, barely graduating with a 1.2 GPA. We pursued tutoring costing thousands of dollars. While she has some potentially good qualities that could serve her well in her potential profession and as an adult, we have also experienced the reality that she seems challenged mentally in many ways, what you would expect to see in someone with a low IQ.
To make matters worse, she is now in her 3rd year of stealing large sums of money from our family that has proven to be something she seems incapable of stopping. I must admit that we have treated her as a "bad kid" throughout these difficult years. At the same time, I am inclined to believe there is a fundamental reason for her behavior, having to do with brain chemistry, or possibly brain damage (oxygen deprivation?? from her last seizure?). Last year we arranged counseling (as we had previously a number of times) but she was not cooperative and we gave up.
We are looking seriously at sending her to a private occupational school where the possibility exists she can connect with her personal passion. However, we are fearful that her behavior to date will land her in prison rather than in a career and independence.
It is important to add also we strongly DO NOT suspect drug use. She has never displayed any obvious signs, and we look very carefully at that. He use of the money is on expensive clothes and personal care, plus food treats when out with friends. Her friends have always been those parents would approve of, so we are baffled.
Sorry this is so long, but again, my main question is the possibility of brain damage/chemical disorder and what can be done to accurately diagnose that condition.
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Aug 14, 2003 12:00AM
, Aug 14, 2003 12:00AM
You should start with a neuropsychologist who can do extensive testing to see what is going on. If something is there, he or she will refer you to a neuropsychiatrist or a neurologist for further work up. That is the best way to start.
My name is Chrissy, I'm 20 years old and I may not be a Doctor, but I feel like I can relate.I have a twin siter we were premes at birth,there was complications, and my twin came home with a heart monitor it was like her teddy bear. Were so close I could sence when the heart monitor went off and my mother would know to check Kc. She has seizures and has dided on my mom three times. So she takes Depakote (thats her life support)and ritaling when they found out at 12 years old she had adhd. When she was 16 she had an attack was put in the hospital and there they told my mom she had schizophrenia. My mom told them to treat it but dont take her off her depakote, Well the doctore disregarded my mom and took the depakote and ritalin away and gave her something else to take care of both. They sent Kc home and she seized all night causing her to have a stroke. She was a vegtable, he nerourlogist confirmed and a half dollar size on her right frountal lobe of her brain was dead. I lost my twin that daybecause a doctor screwed up. She was a 3 yr old now, and we had to teach her to do everything all over. she was only 17 and lost a year of school. Now she is ok but still not my kc. She graduated this year with honors and is going to college. It was a long road and I lost my teen years but i'm so happy to see how she is. She was a miricale and things get better. I beleive people are never giving something they cant handle. It may hurt and is hard work but they get through it with a new prospective on life. Hope I have giving some insight that things could get better and on that note good luck with your daughter.
Chrissy