Posted by DR on October 4, 2006, at 14:57:48
I have a six year old who was biting his nails down to the skin when he had nothing to do or was anxious. He was relativly well behaved in school, besides speaking out of turn in class. That was in May. In August he began stating he wished he were dead. The psychologist recommended Lexapro, which I was against because of all of the horror stories about ssri's and their effects on children. I was told that even if i disagreed to his medical treatment that social services would charge me with neglect in a court. So he began Lexapro and his behavior in school has been horrible. He has been in trouble everyday since he has gotten there. Yesterday he began biting his arms and hitting his mother. I was not surprised, as an increase in aggression and self harm are considered side effects of the medication. What surprised me was that now his psychiatrist reccommends he be admitted to a hospital for 24 hour care. I have joint custody of my son, so I am supposed to be involved in making medical decisions but apparently that means nothing if you don't see your child on a daily basis. I have moved 5 minutes away from them just to be closer, but still have not be allowed to see him anymore than every other weekend so my hands are tied. I want to bring him for a second opinion, but his mother refuses... can anyone lead me in the right direction here? What are my rights? What can I do?
poster:DR
thread:691812
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060926/msgs/691812.html