Guest guest Posted June 6, 2003 Report Share Posted June 6, 2003 In a message dated 6/5/03 4:07:19 AM Central Daylight Time, autism-aspergers writes: Skylar is 8 and has been on Risperdol since Jan 2003. He takes 1 mg at night and things have been good so far. He Some have discussed Risperdol and also Seroquel. I am seeking into this because these may be something that might work for my son. Please give me any information that I might need, such as what are the reasons that they prescribe these as oppsoed to the Anti-Ds that he is on now which is Remeron, and he was on Tofranil ( Impramine). Also, why does this cause weight gain, does the child want to eat more? is now wanting food at night, when his Ritalin wears off, since he started Remeron in Nov. I wasnt sure if it was the meds or his age, as he is now 14 and in puberty as well. Also, what other information can anyone give to me, such as how long does it take to see this medication work to full benefit? Thanks Larua in IL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 27, 2004 Report Share Posted September 27, 2004 Hi Kim, Medications do just help with the symptoms, anxiety level, etc. For some people, meds alone might really decrease any OC behaviors. However, if they have a therapist who is experienced in treating OCD and does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), then with those particular therapies, your child can gain the tools to fight OCD that " might " help them eventually be able to come off medication. The therapy is the key to their controlling OCD - and not vice-versa. Yes, some sufferers do have to stay on medication, but there are many, I'm sure, who eventually can go " med free. " My son, 15, has been on Celexa for just over a year. I also wonder if at some point we try to reduce the dosage or wean him off Celexa altogether, will OCD rear up its head even worse. Sigh, we'll just have to wait and see. MY hope is that even if OCD increases a bit, it'll be short-lasting or will have the tools/effort to work on fighting it! We've dealt with his OCD on our own, no therapist near, and knows what needs to be done to overcome his compulsions, etc., it's just a matter of his being able to do it on his own. It's been really tough at times, I'm sure an experienced therapist could have helped speed things up tremendously! > My daughter, 13, is currently doing well on a 150mg of Zoloft. She has been > stable for about 2 months. I was reading some info on line and found > this... " Medications are of help in controlling the symptoms of OCD, but often, if the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 27, 2004 Report Share Posted September 27, 2004 Hi Kim, Medications do just help with the symptoms, anxiety level, etc. For some people, meds alone might really decrease any OC behaviors. However, if they have a therapist who is experienced in treating OCD and does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP), then with those particular therapies, your child can gain the tools to fight OCD that " might " help them eventually be able to come off medication. The therapy is the key to their controlling OCD - and not vice-versa. Yes, some sufferers do have to stay on medication, but there are many, I'm sure, who eventually can go " med free. " My son, 15, has been on Celexa for just over a year. I also wonder if at some point we try to reduce the dosage or wean him off Celexa altogether, will OCD rear up its head even worse. Sigh, we'll just have to wait and see. MY hope is that even if OCD increases a bit, it'll be short-lasting or will have the tools/effort to work on fighting it! We've dealt with his OCD on our own, no therapist near, and knows what needs to be done to overcome his compulsions, etc., it's just a matter of his being able to do it on his own. It's been really tough at times, I'm sure an experienced therapist could have helped speed things up tremendously! > My daughter, 13, is currently doing well on a 150mg of Zoloft. She has been > stable for about 2 months. I was reading some info on line and found > this... " Medications are of help in controlling the symptoms of OCD, but often, if the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 Hi Kathy. My concern is that before we knew my daughter had OCD issues, she originally began treatment for generalized anxiety and depression. Her psychiatrist mentioned, at the time, that he likes to try getting kids off antidepressants when possible because we really don't know what they are doing to a growing child's brain. This comment bothered me, yet, I also know that my daughter needs her medicine basically to function. My daughter absolutely wants her med because she also feels it is necessary. I appreciate you sharing the point of view about having more time with normal development to help her in her adult years. That perspective does make me feel better about keeping her on the medication.Thanks for your input. Kim In a message dated 9/28/2004 8:23:11 AM Central Daylight Time, kathylr@... writes: So with this input we made a peace with our child being continuously on an SSRI indefinitely. She's 10 and so in the years to come she may want to stop medication, so we shall see. But I figure every year she racks up on medication and without severe OCD, is another year of normal development and maturing which I hope will hold her in good stead once an adult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 28, 2004 Report Share Posted September 28, 2004 Hi Kim, our pdoc told us that the relapse rate was something like 80% at one year after stopping SSRI therapy. He also said that he felt that continued meds plus therapy was the best way to minimize and stabilize OCD symptoms. I was surprised when my daughter's CBT also mentioned the high relapse rate when SSRI medication was withdrawn. I had assumed he would be much more an advocate for therapy only and perhaps see medication as a temporary help. Both of these professionals stressed that in a child, low and stable symptoms allows them to grow and mature as normally and as unencumbered by OCD as possible--something that isn't a concern in adults. We don't get do-overs in our growing up years :-) So with this input we made a peace with our child being continuously on an SSRI indefinitely. She's 10 and so in the years to come she may want to stop medication, so we shall see. But I figure every year she racks up on medication and without severe OCD, is another year of normal development and maturing which I hope will hold her in good stead once an adult. Take care, Kathy R. in Indiana ----- Original Message ----- > My daughter, 13, is currently doing well on a 150mg of Zoloft. She has been > stable for about 2 months. I was reading some info on line and found > this... " Medications are of help in controlling the symptoms of OCD, but often, if the > medication is discontinued, relapse will follow. Indeed, even after symptoms > have subsided, most people will need to continue with medication > indefinitely, perhaps with a lowered dosage. " I am wondering what people have been told > by their children's psychiatrists about medication- do you expect them to > always need to be on medication? Thanks. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.