Doctor won't do anything
Hello, my daughter is 11 and she has not been diagnosed yet. Everyone in the family knows that she has a problem but the doctors won't listen to us because they say it is just her hormones. Well this has been going on since before her hormones started up.
She can be sweet and loving one moment and then it is like flipping a light switch. She is hateful, backtalking, crying. You name it and she does it. Then most of the time she switches back and doesn't realize she was that bad. My ex is alot the same way but he is not diagnosed with anything either. She was in therapy for awhile but they cut her loose because she is fine. Well no one sees how she really is. My sister is an RN and she thought we were crazy until she caught a glimpse of the real her at Christmas. She wanted to know what happen to my daughter and I told her it is her being her. She said are you sure she isn't BP. Told her no one will talk to me about it.
I am at my wits end. I have been searching online for other treatments (herbal, vitamins, etc) but the cost are usually too much. What do I do? I really need some advice.
Thanks!
Is it her pediatrician that's denying any possible cause other than hormones? I would suggest finding a psychiatrist who specializes in children and adolescents. I would recommend starting here: http://www.bpkids.org/learn/getting-started?page=all for information to help you understand better what it is and what to do. Within that, there are links for finding professional resources.
Very often, children will display these behaviors at home (most likely with the mother), and nowhere else. This makes it difficult for you to really get the help you need, but it's not uncommon. Very often, the kids will not remember the events of the "meltdowns." They will insist they never did those things, and in their mind it is the truth. This also makes it more difficult for you to explain it, because your daughter has no recall and will deny anything you report. If you were to start keeping a mood chart or a log or journal or something describing situation that only you see, it will help the psychiatrist better understand what you're dealing with.
Keep checking in here as well. You don't have to go through this alone - we've all been there, and we get it.
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Shelle, 49 in So Cal - stressed - Celexa 20mg, Xanax 0.5mg rarely as needed
Family Response Team member and CABF Support 11
rmadmom@hotmail.com
Single Mom to Rachel, 12 - BP, anxiety, ADHD (or maybe not) - Lamictal 200mg am+Seroquel 50mg am/200mg early pm, Modified schedule in public at end of last school year / Hoping for placement in therapeutic school for the fall
We also have Birdie, the love bird - she bites; and Scarlet, the kitten - she does too
I know its hard. Especially when most of the really exteme behaviors occur behind closed doors for only you to see. If it helps, I believe you. You can try recording her - on video or audio only. You should document everything - this will show a pattern much more clealy than anectotes. And you should keep looking for a doctor until you find one who listens. The sooner she is treated for what ever is found, the better she will be in the long run. And from experience I can tell you, as she gets older and more hormonal it will get worse. And she will be less able to hold it together in school and in public. My dd ended up running away when she was 12. And she refused to come home when we finally located her 8 hours later. So I called 911 since I could not keep her safe. I demanded a full psych evaluation and they kept her in the phosp for 10 days. When she left she at least had a diagnosis. Obviously this is not the ideal way to get there. You know your child better than anyone. You have to keep her safe and healthy. You have to be her voice and her advocate. Don't give up hope. Its not easy but you can do it. Try calling NAMI for a pdoc recommendation in your area.
Good luck.
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Karenj
Self: as sane as I can be everyday
A - DD (17yo) well adjusted, high functioning, motivated, successful, waiting patiently to go away to college
M - DD (13yo) Mood Disorder NOS (dx 4/2011) ADHD (dx 2nd grade), dumb high IQ, mainstream education with IEP/BIP, Seroquel 100mg twice daily - morning and bed time
BF - Live in boyfriend of 5 years, supportive and learning more every day
EX - Ex-husband, divorced since 2002, family history of bipolar, unpredictable and sometimes explosive
It is her pediatrician that is saying it is only hormones. She was in counseling for awhile but her doctor there didn't see nothing wrong but her self esteem.
Thanks for responding both of you. At least I know I am not alone in this. I am starting a mood journal like you suggested and looking for another counselor/therapist that maybe she will open up to. Did find out one thing tonight. She told her grandma during the summer that her daddy doesn't love her like he does her two brothers. That has to be causing some of the problems.
Gonna try recording her sometime when I can catch her mood switch. I keep telling her that I am gonna do that and show her what she acts like.
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Kellie
Kids - 11 & 15
No diagnosis or meds for daughter
Vyvanse and Zoloft for son.