We have resently ran into this issue on this subject. We have always said we would never medicate a child, unless it is life saving. Yes, we have asthmatic and we give them the needed medication. Chronic medical diseases need to be medicated at times. We have a daughter who has developed a behavioral disorder after she was molested by a family member many time. This person is currently in jail and awaiting a trial. She may have to testify at this trial. Our daughter is 6 yrs old and now has developed what they call aggressive behavior. I forget the mental health term for what she may have they still have to do a pychological work up on her. Now not medicating was a fine choice until recently. While I was at work, my SO took the children (5 of them) to the gym, on the way home our 6 yr old decided she was upset about something. She unbuckled started hitting the other 4 kids in the car, SO told her to get in her seat as he started to pull over. She then began to hit him and kick him while he was driving and trying to pull over. He then removed her from the car so she could not injure her younger siblings and she reaptedly tried to run into traffic. He finally had to hold her in her seat with one hand while driving home, from there he has to restrain her using technique showen to us by her therapists. We only restrain when she is a dnager to herself or the other children. He restrained her for over 2 hours while all the younger children had to wait on lunch. The doctors wants to medicate her because of this seriously dangerous outburst, which by the way she has no idea what or why she was so upset. We are at a very cretical crossroads, FYI she has not done a full out outburst in 2 weeks, but she does this up and down often. We know she has PTSD we just dont know what triggers it. She has good days more often then bad day. Still has small tantrums a few times a week. She also always applogize when she calms down.
Her bio mom was a drug attict and has mult. mental health dx, she eneded up OD this May. The children did not see her really but I think our daughter still may have feeling she cant express over this.
Her half brother that lives with maternal grandmother has been dx with bi polar, ODD.
I have this same issue with my 3 year old whose egg-donor (I can't even call her bio-mom, because mom would indicate some level of caring) drank, used drugs as well was very violent to others as well as beaten herself. The signs first started showing up at 1 and a half, we had her assessed and her diagnosis, was PTSD as well as social and emotional issues. She is now showing signs of ODD, ADD as well as OCD. We are having her re-assessed in a couple of weeks, and I am strongly considering any type of medication available for a child so young as long as the side affects don't outweigh the benefits. The egg-donor and sperm donor were both bi-polar as well as many other mental health issues. I need to do what is best for her as soon as possible, before these behaviors become more ingrained and especially before she starts school. Good luck to you. It is a tough decision with many people that may not have positive things to say to you about it, but it is YOUR decision that has to be made in your daughters best interest as well as the best interest of the rest of your family!
Meds might help her in therapy as well. Sometimes meds alleviate the negative feelings and help people think more clearly, which would help in therapy. I know you mentioned PTSD but I would be curious if there's some depression as well - reason being PTSD and depression often occur together. Also depression often presents as anger and irritation in kids.
If you do decide to medicate, try to get a child psychiatrist instead of one that primarily works with adults. I know it's not an easy decision to make regarding meds. If you have any questions or if you want to talk, feel free to message me. Good luck!
Proverbs 10:29
- Azmomto5
on Jul. 27, 2012 at 11:04 PM