DJ Needs help with behaviour
Mary Beth Dawson
>
> Hi,
>
> I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We supposedly have one of the best
> Children's hospitals in the world right here in our back yard. The IWKGrace
> (Children's and Maternity hospital), I have heard nothing but good about
> them. But so far D.J. has had no success with them. I think he really needs
> to be admitted and have a full physical and Psyciatric evaluation.
>
> I am having a hard time dealing with it because I see so much of myself in
> what he does. We both can become extreamly violent towards ourselves and
> others. I seem to only do it towards Brad and he mostly does it towards my
> mom.Sometimes me or my dad or my mom's best friend Andrea.
>
> I feel bad for my mother having to deal with us both. In the last 2 months
> she has had to call 911 3 times for D.J. because he was violent towards
> someone in the house. 2 of the times were in the last 3 days! It costs her
> $85 each call and she can't afford it.
>
> I'm worried I'll end up like him and feel no remorse towards what I do...
> I'm scared that he will never get better.
>
> I don't know what to do!
>
> We are both on meds. He's on ridalin for ADD and I'm on Paxil for Panic
> Disorder and Depression. He's seeing a psychiatrist and I am in the process
> of being refered to one. We have a family doctor and both have regular
> medical insurance through MSI (our provinces medical insurance that everyone
> has to have which is covered by taxpayers) he has extended coverage for
> perscription, glasses and dental work through the military (my father is
> ex-military) however I do not. I am over the legal age and am no longer
> covered under my familiy's insurance. I am in the process of getting myself
> and Brad (my fiancee) on a blue-cross coverage (or something similar).BTW
> Brad and I are moving in with my Mom and Dad for a little while.
>
> I find that D.J (my brother) and I have so much in common as far as the
> anger and violence goes but at the same time there is so much different. I
> don't know if we have the same thing or not. He is adopted so as far as it
> being genetic unless it runs in both of our biological families it unlikly.
>
> Kirsten
Hi!
Kirsten you are in need of
help for DJ and yourself.
Try and not make yourself
emotionally upset because
you won't be able to help
him if you so.
Does DJ do well in school?
Does he have many friends?
Does he know he is adopted?
How long has he been on
ritalin? I highly suspect
this could be provoking
his behaviour problems.
I have worked with many kids
with these problems but
I cannot give an expert
opinion. Does DJ go in/out
of moods? Has anyone ever
mentioned he may be
bi-polar? This appears
serious but it could be
minimized by finding the
right doctor. Please keep
us informed.
Try and suggest he get off
the meds! This is no life
for a 9 year old boy.
-Mary Beth
Brent Bass
Boys are naturally insane between 9-12 years anyway. This situation
isn't unusual at all.
Brent Bass
NC
Leah Adezio
Mary Beth Dawson wrote in message <39BD514B...@nospam.com>...
Or, conversely, his being treated for ADHD could be allowing other problems
to be revealed instead of being masked by his ADHD symptoms. This was the
case with our son at that age.
>I have worked with many kids
>with these problems but
>I cannot give an expert
>opinion. Does DJ go in/out
>of moods? Has anyone ever
>mentioned he may be
>bi-polar? This appears
>serious but it could be
>minimized by finding the
>right doctor. Please keep
>us informed.
>
>Try and suggest he get off
>the meds! This is no life
>for a 9 year old boy.
If the child does have conditions that often run co-morbid with ADHD, such
as bi-polar or oppositional defiant disorder, taking the child *off* meds
could be a disaster. It may likely be that the child needs to be taking
additional medications. It may be that Ritalin is not the med best suited
for treating his ADHD. I'd like to know what other supports are in place
for this child. Is he receiving therapy? Are there behavior modifications
in place? Is he receiving any assistance in school?
Those things, along with proper medications, prevented my child from
committing suicide at age *10*. If we had followed *your* advice, I
wouldn't have the bright, vibrant (though not perfect <g>) almost 15 year
old I have now.
Personally, I'd seek *expert* advice and not rely on a layperson who 'has
worked with many kids with these problems', especially one who can't be
bothered to list her credentials for doing so.
I'm guessing classroom aide, myself.
Leah
Bradley
Guess when the warrenty was up! A week ago!
Anyway, I have to say this about DJ, he's been this way as long as I have
known the family. That's been 4 years.
I cannot answer the questions posed, because I am not there and do not know
everything.
I hope I can relay some messages to Kirsten for you all, and vice versa.
Brad
"Brent Bass" <copy...@infistat.com> wrote in message
news:39BD8D44...@infistat.com...
Mary Beth Dawson
Leah,
I agree with your message but
please don't bash me. You were
close. I was a psychiatric
nursing assistant. I can't
diagnose, prescribe or
give professional opinions
as I'm the one who spent
eight, sometimes twelve hours
a day supervising the children.
I think Kirsten and DJ need help
now and we agree on that much. DJ
is a time bomb and a second opinion
was due yesterday! And I am
begging her to get expert advice.
Mary Beth
Philip Peters
Bradley wrote:
> Kirsten's mom's computer is on the mend. They think the motherboard is gone.
> Guess when the warrenty was up! A week ago!
>
> Anyway, I have to say this about DJ, he's been this way as long as I have
> known the family. That's been 4 years.
>
> I cannot answer the questions posed, because I am not there and do not know
> everything.
>
> I hope I can relay some messages to Kirsten for you all, and vice versa.
>
> Brad
Thanks, Brad, for relaying this message. Unlike the poster below I think DJ has
a serious disorder which should be treated. Often the problem is that it is very
difficult to make the right diagnosis (ADD, PDD, other related disorders) and
consequently treatment is difficult too.
Sometimes medication coupled with behavioural nethods will help some. I hope
things will work out. Please tell Kirsten that we are thinking about her and DJ
and will be glad to haver her back when the PC is up and working again.
Philip