What to do when meds and therapy not working?

[gtrisha1023]

my son was diagnosed with adhd ied and severe mood disorder when he was five when I divorced. they hosplized him three times and after to many meds I took him off and for five years have managed his treatment well know in march he was hosp again cause they said he was on the break of a break down know he has been diagosed with bioplar mixed areas adhd ied I have no idea what that means they have hosp him four times this year I dont know what to do they are telling me that they can not get his cocktail rite that he needs long term care he is my first born I feel like I messed him up I have three other kids are they going to turn out the same when he has these
epiosodes he changes he verbal abusive assults me know he is going after his siblings what do u do when u feel like everything has been done?

[freddie8605]

Your welcome, sounds like you are working with some good doctors, I am glad you have a plan for the next six months for him, I think having a plan and knowing to what do and what to expect is very helpful, not use for myself but for my family as well. Good that you have support group to, they can very great for learning and knowing you are not alone.

Best wishes for your and your sons future

Freddie

[gtrisha1023]

thank u for advice  have decided to keep him at home the docter has said he is responding well to the depco they have him on a'six month plan to get him under control cause me he is to young to be put into a hospital and just another bump in the road I am goimg to keep on fighting with him and the,hospital rec a support group'so know I feel less stressed about everything tk u

[freddie8605]

Wow that does sound really hard situation. Does he ever become stable in between his episodes? I don't know about committing him to the state hospital, as that can impact on him in his future. But he sounds like he is really unwell. Can you talk to his Dad, I think you should talk to others who know him and make the decision after talking to your family. I am sorry you have to go through this, I can't image what its like, I was hospitalized when i was 15, but I don't know what it is like being the parent.

Yes puberty does make it worse, its when i started getting bipolar symptoms. I think you need to get some support as its a hard for you on your own and it is such a big thing, i think you need support. Do the mental health people  have a support group for parents of children with mental illness?
It does sound like you have been through a lot of types of treatments and sounds like the doctors are taking you seriously which is good, if they can tell you why they think the state hospital would be beneficial that might help, also if they inform you and make these decisions with you like how long he will be there etc that might help with your anxiety and feelings. Its not fair that you have to make the decision on your own, and i think it would help if you could talk to someone who knows your son. Way up the good and bad things that hospital has to offer. If you can't cope with his behavior than maybe it would be good to have a brake from him for a week or 2, but if he is not suicidal and isn't a harm to himself or others than maybe there could be a better place for him.

I am sorry I don't know if this will help or not.
Freddie

[gtrisha1023]

thk u for responding my support network was there at first know they tend not to come around his father has not seen him for awhile that just makes it worse he has done ourpatient inpatient alternative therapy he was on rispordal know they switched it to depco he is having his episodes two to three times a week it just hurts cause he used to be so full of life know he has changed he has these episodes and doesnt remember what he doea rite know they say not much they can do because he is going through puberty and his hormones are raging just making it worse he is on adhd medicine and anti depression meds they wont me to commit him to a state hospital I dont know what to do

[freddie8605]

It is always hard when someone in the family has bipolar disorder, My Dad has it and so do i, I started have symptoms at 13 years old, but wasn't diagnosed till i was 17. It was defiantly a struggle for my parents getting help for me, I ended up living in community house for youth with serious mental illness.

Maybe talk to your doctors about other options as obviously this one isn't working. Has he seen a Child psychologist? and done a proper  treatment plan, so i mean not just a once off, or on occasion like while in hospital. I think this could be very beneficial but needs to be with a child psychologist who he gets along with and trusts. I am not a doctor so I am just going from my own experiences.

Have you tried any alternative treatments?, such as art therapy's and animal therapy's either inpatient or outpatient services. - or alternative things such as cranial sacral therapy and omega 3/fish oil, and other natural antioxidants and multivitamins and minerals.

It can be very hard watching your child go through this, but its not your fault as a mother at all. I am sure you are trying your hardest and you can't do any more than that. I think its important that you look after your self as well and make sure you get plenty or rest and time with the rest of your family. If you are not feeling at your best then you can't help anyone else till you do. Do you have friends or family you can talk too? or do something once in a while, enjoyable with?

How long do your son's mania last? how often does he cycle? does he get depressed?
I am not saying this is true in your case but i read an article the other day saying that over 50% of children diagnosed bipolar actually have severe ADHD and ODD and not bipolar, but the doctors wont put the child on the ADHD medications as that would make the bipolar symptoms worse but then the child doesn't respond well to the bipolar meds because that's not the real issue. Has your son been on a stimulant or ADHD medications before? What medication is he on at the moment?

Just something to think about
Freddie