Re: Devastated Once Again

[Guest guest]

Hmmm...so he hasn't ruled it out but there's no diagnosis. I sort of

see what he means by the " voices " being put-downs but then I've put

myself down MANY times over the years (call it " talking to

yourself " !!) with same/similar words.

I *think* what I might do...is stick it out a bit longer, see what

happens when/if does relax/open up more. I'd try to give the

doctor a chance to gain a good understanding of what these " voices "

are, which might take a bit of time. Just so long as the doctor is

working with on MORE than voices, but working on anxiety/OCD.

And you could also in the meantime, get an option for another doctor

and a second opinion. No reason you can't go for a 2nd opinion while

still seeing current doctor. But if is really stressed right

now, you might want to just " go " with the current doctor until things

get less " stressed " . The doctor IS treating the OCD, right, or

treating as bipolar/OCD???? (bipolar first, then OCD...?)

Just some quick thoughts!!

>

> Hi,

>

> Just when I started to feel optimistic and comfortable with the

idea

> that is bipolar and has OCD, the doctor elaborated on why he

> can't rule out schizophrenia. The advice from people on this board

> made me feel confident that his symptoms are consistent with

bipolar

> disorder and OCD. There's a lot of depression and anxiety in my

> family but no history of schizophrenia.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/11/2006 1:04:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

tamara_naranjo@... writes:

My first reaction was

that I should pursue a 2nd opinion at MGH in Boston. I don't think

could handle it, however.

Tamara

You know your child best - you need to make that call. However I would do

everything in my power to obtain a second opinion. Something as serious as

schizophrenia, I wouldn't just accept the opinion of one doctor.

LT

[Guest guest]

Hi

Thank you for your post. For now, the p-doc is working on

straightening out 's meds. He's been taking lamictal for

2 1/2 weeks while gradually tapering off the ativan. The doctors

don't want to introduce CBT or anything that would be stressful for

him right now. The psychologist said that for the next several weeks

he will just work to establish a friendship with while they

play board games. They actually haven't even confirmed that he has

OCD but that he has obsessional qualities. I do feel that the p-doc

and psychiatrist really care about and I have faith in their

abilities, but I wish they would use a little more tact and be a

little more sensitive to my feelings as a parent. (I.E. Yesterday,

when I told the psychologist that I didn't believe that was

going to be schizophrenic, he told me that I am in denial. Then

today, over the phone, he said that has a serious mental

illness.)

Tamara

[Guest guest]

I.E. Yesterday, when I told the

psychologist that I didn't believe that was going to be

schizophrenic, he told me that I am in denial. Then today, over the

phone, he said that has a serious mental illness.)

OUCH! Yes, I agree he could be more tactful and sensitive. OCD

falls under " mental illness. " Well, guess this is just a time

to " bite your tongue, " (never act like you disagree or hope otherwise

than they are suggesting...) and wait and see how things go and what

he thinks after he gets to know better. And how the meds work

when they've had time to take full effect.

(((hugs))) to you and stressful time for both of you!

>

> Hi

> Thank you for your post. For now, the p-doc is working on

> straightening out 's meds. He's been taking lamictal

for

>

[Guest guest]

Hugs to you. Have you gotten a second opinion?

Bonnie

I.E. Yesterday, when I told the

> psychologist that I didn't believe that was going to be

> schizophrenic, he told me that I am in denial. Then today, over the

> phone, he said that has a serious mental illness.)

>

> OUCH! Yes, I agree he could be more tactful and sensitive. OCD

> falls under " mental illness. " Well, guess this is just a time

> to " bite your tongue, " (never act like you disagree or hope otherwise

> than they are suggesting...) and wait and see how things go and what

> he thinks after he gets to know better. And how the meds work

> when they've had time to take full effect.

>

> (((hugs))) to you and stressful time for both of you!

>

>

>

> >

> > Hi

> > Thank you for your post. For now, the p-doc is working on

> > straightening out 's meds. He's been taking lamictal

> for

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I wrote my son's psycholgist a letter becasue he pissed me off by

saying negitive things. I didn't think I would be very nice about

it in person. This is MY kid and I'm not taking garbage from

anyone. He replied with a very nice letter and we are going to meet

to work it out. Being open is the best for me. If I stuff it all

down I just get depressed. Do what works best for and your son.

The best of luck and prayers -

I.E. Yesterday, when I told the

> psychologist that I didn't believe that was going to be

> schizophrenic, he told me that I am in denial. Then today, over

the

> phone, he said that has a serious mental illness.)

>

> OUCH! Yes, I agree he could be more tactful and sensitive. OCD

> falls under " mental illness. " Well, guess this is just a time

> to " bite your tongue, " (never act like you disagree or hope

otherwise

> than they are suggesting...) and wait and see how things go and

what

> he thinks after he gets to know better. And how the meds

work

> when they've had time to take full effect.

>

> (((hugs))) to you and stressful time for both of you!

>

>

>

> >

> > Hi

> > Thank you for your post. For now, the p-doc is working on

> > straightening out 's meds. He's been taking lamictal

> for

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Tamara,

If you are skeptical about your son's diagnosis, than I would DEFINITELY get

another opinion, and another, and another, until you feel comfortable, and sure

about his diagnosis. I know it's hard on him.

My dd used to do the same thing. I'd take her for appointments, and she'd turn

her head and entire body around in the chair and refuse to talk. She would just

" shut down " . She too had multilple hospitalizations, counseling, p-doc appts,

etc, but I kept taking her until I knew that I felt confident with her

doctors.It took me 7 years to find the right doctors to diagnose her, and I

still am searching for the correct therapy and meds.

Hang in there

Hugs

Judy

[Guest guest]

What would I do without this group? The support and advice I receive

always makes me feel better. My gut tells me that is bipolar

with OCD. He does not fit the descriptions I've read of children with

schizophrenia, while I recognize in him many of the symptoms of BPD.

(Judy, I'm glad to hear that your daughter shut down during p-doc

visits too - I don't know why he thought that it was unusual behavior

and a sign that he is fragile, a potential sign of schizophrenia.)

Someone e-mailed me a link to very helpful article:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3882/is_200301/ai_n9209844

It says that many symptoms of the 2 conditions overlap and are hard to

distinguish in children, and that doctors often misdiagnose BPD as

schizophrenia. Parents in this group have heard that incorrect

potential diagnosis too. I'm okay now with how the psychiatrist said

can't rule out schizophrenia, since the symptoms overlap. I'm also

feeling better about the temporary diagnosis of Anxiety Disorder NOS,

since he hasn't been able to get to talk. I would probably have

felt it was irresponsible if he given a definitive diagnosis of a

serious condition after 1 visit.

What I don't like is how the psychologist feels it necessary to rub it

in by saying that has a severe mental illness and that he

believes that schizophrenia is a distinct possibility. It's true that

doctors don't like to be second-guessed (.) I've felt their

change in attitude towards me after I've questioned their judgement.

I'm happy to hear (Jill) that a doctor responded positively to your e-

mail that expressed disatifaction with their negative attitude.

For now, I'll just vent when I talk to my own therapist. She always

helps me to feel better about because she puts things in a

hopeful way i.e., meds are so much better than they were in the past;

because he's young, we can help him develop coping skills . . . etc.

Thanks so much for your support.

Tamara

[Guest guest]

HI Tamara,

I'm glad your feeling better!

I will definitely check out this link myself for my son. Like I said before, I

know my dd doesn't have schizophrenia ,finally, but I'm not so sure about my

son.

When my dd shut down at the therapists they used to tell me also, that she was

sooooo mentally ill, that's why she would shut down, but the fact was that she

couldn't take it anymore! Yes, ocd and bipolar are serious mental disorders, but

many children do lead very successful lives with them. After my dd was evaluated

this last time at the Ct Children's Med Ctr, they stated she was definitely

college material, bipolar and ocd or not. These kids can make it!

Just hang in there!!!!

((Hugs)))

Judy