Posted by bubblegumchewer on August 5, 2002, at 8:30:46
In reply to Re: non-verbal child/BPD?/med side effects/detect how? » somebetter, posted by Ritch on August 4, 2002, at 20:43:02
I would urge caution. I took my four year old to a psychiatrist because I was concerned about his "dark talk," like telling his brother to go get hit by a car, etc. Just because my father was a card-carrying bipolar (he is now deceased) the pdoc and his social worker assistant were eager to assign my son the same diagnosis. They cited his fidgeting and jumping up and down, albeit happily and sociably, as he was glad to be getting such a "fun" interview, complete with drawings and nice conversation, as evidence of "ADHD" as well.
He was put on zyprexa and topamax. He gaine TEN pounds in one month on the zyprexa. (This is a lot considering his age.) He was then switched to geodon.
When he entered kindergarten he did not listen to his teacher and made animalistic noises. The teacher was ready to kick him out of the class. A psychologist was ready to sign papers to declare him disabled so he could attend a special school. One day I forgot to give him his topamax in the morning. It was his best day ever at school, his teacher said.
To make a long story short, I decided to ramp him off of both medications to see if he was benefitting from them at all. The geodon seemed to make no difference. The topamax was obviously disabling him intellectually and emotionally. As the topamax decreased and discontinued, he emerged as a speaking, feeling, and bright child. Suddenly he fell into place with the rest of the students. In fact, sorry to brag here but he is head and shoulders above the rest of the class, reading in kindergarten and exceptionally creative. His behavior has not been much of a problem at all.
He still has his own personality, that is for sure. His agressive speech seems to have been a phase. He is a delightful child and a very bright one at that. I shudder to think what might have happened had I left him on medication that he obviously didn't need. What if I had had him declared disabled and put him on more and more meds? Each new doctor I took him to didn't want to rock the boat and kept writing Rxs for the same meds just becuase the previous doctor had done so. I am very glad I thought to "experiment" before taking him off all meds. He does not need to see a psychiatrist anymore. The doctor discharged him as he seems to be functioning fine.
This story may not relate to yours, but I offer it in case it may help.
poster:bubblegumchewer
thread:115156
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020731/msgs/115259.html