My son's gone wacko

[TrogL]

That's about the only way I can explain it.

He's been diagnosed ADHD and Tourettes (I disagree with that one). He's on dexedrine and respiridol (which he takes it).

Last night was an absolute terror. He was all over the place - couldn't sit still for a second. He was telling crazy confabulated stories that weren't born out by reality. He believes these stories are true. He was claiming to have four broken knuckles from punching walls. Nobody else has heard him complain about his knuckles other than they're large from his constant cracking (I do it too).

He finally admitted his suicidal thoughts. He claims his notebooks is covered with pictures and words of suicidal thoughts (it isn't).

He claims to be up all night not sleeping. (I'm up all night because I'm an owl and he certainly looks like he's sleeping to me. He's very difficult to wake in the morning. He's already been to a sleep clinic).

WTF is going on?

[depakid]

1. This sounds like it could be a major manic episode

bipolar disorders are sometimes misdiagnosed as ADHD, and the not sleeping- while it could be due to the dexedrine- is a classic symptom of mania- which starts to peak around this time of year. The delusional behavior is consistent with this (as is the respiridol prescription).

If you haven't done so already, it's probably time to seek a second opinion about his psychological condition.

[rockedthevoteinMA]

2. Hi TrogL... I agree with depakid

It sounds a lot like what happens to me when I'm manic. If you can, I'd get a second opinion. The dexedrine could be escalating it... and mania is a form of psychosis when it's at it's worst. Spring time is hell on my family and me, even when we know it's coming, it (mania) still seems to pull the rug out for a while.

Good luck :hug:

[mopinko]

3. me too

he sounds like my bp daughter at her worst. which is to say, when she was put on way too rapidily increasing doses of risperdal. wacko shrink increased the dose every week, until she really went off. it takes at least a couple of months for most of this stuff to work. idiot.
how old is your son, and how long has he been on these meds?
i feel for ya. my daughter is doing pretty well, but it sure was pure hell.

[EFerrari]

4. Boy, that sounds exhausting!

I agree with the others, time to call the doc. And for the other 23 hours and 45 minutes of the day, I found this communication tool to be helpful when Doug's chemistry is tweaking with him and with me:SET

Sympathy
Empathy
Truth

(This isn't my idea and I don't remember where I stole it from. I don't think it was Marsha Linehan. If I remember or find the source, I'll post it. Credit where it's due.)

So, if Doug says something that just isn't in shared reality, like "You're attacking me again" or something like that, I don't argue with him because it never helps, ever.

I'd say something like "I think I know what you mean" (S) "That must be awful for you. (E) "I'm going to take five quiet minutes to calm this down." (T)

It helps us both get calmer and a little more grounded, keeps our focus on improving the situation instead of fighting it.

fwiw,
Beth

[TrogL]

5. Doctor diagnosed startup of manic-depression

Said it might be a bit erratic until his cycle settles in.

He's booked into a specialist.

[Wapsie B]

6. Hope the specialist can help.

I know how it is having a kid with depression. My daughter has depression and can get very agressive and combative at times. Risperdal has saved the day many a time during those episodes. But she's cutting herself, not going to school, she's 15, and somedays just has a hair trigger. We've come to the point where she needs more help than we can give her at home. Unfortunately thanks to the wonderful repugs and their hatred of social programs we know have to wade through the juvenile court system to have a judge declare her as needing a group home so the state can pay for it. Bastards would rather build prisons than try to help people overcome their problems.

:rant:

[mopinko]

10. is she in a therapeutic school? nt

[TrogL]

7. OK, another manic swing today

He's been up all night. He insisted on making a pot of coffee. He's talking a million miles a minute, half of it doesn't make any sense (confabulations).

OK lemme go see when the last time this happened.

After edit: March 29th.

Looking at the calendar, that makes a one week swing.

Oi vay that puts him very close to my cycle.

I'll have to keep an eye on this.

[mopinko]

8. sucks!

so young, and so bad. jesus.
these guys are the experts-
http://www.bipolarchild.com/
their book is a really good resource. hang in there.

[EFerrari]

9. Can I ask, what is the cocktail? n/t