How do you handle raging?

[Guest guest]

It was suggested that I repost a question I had under the topic of no

subject/general question so that is what I am doing! Some of you have already

offered your advice and I really appreciate it.

My original question was how do you let your child experience the anxiety

feelings without destroying your house. I am assuming what we are experiencing

is what is considered an anxiety rage (I always called them anxiety attack, but

apparently there is a difference!)

A little history of our son ~~ he is 11 years old and has been on Fluoxetine

since March 2009....he was started on a very low dose (5mg) and was kept at that

for quite awhile. We were having issues with the doctor we were seeing (son was

not comfortable and we felt she was doing nothing) so we switched to our current

psychologist who immediately upped his medication. He was on 1 1/2 tsp from

May, 2009 until this past January when it was increased to 2 tsp due to a change

in his behavior. However, just this week the dosage was decreased back to 1 1/2

tsp due to a negative change and increased frequency in behavior. Hopefully we

will see some results with the decrease. On the therapist's recommendation, we

are going back to see the Psychiatrist to discuss the addition of something else

to help our son relax a bit more. Since March his behavior was been very rocky

at times....complete with these rages. He will knock over furniture, toss

things, spit at times, just plain destructive. When restrained his aggravation

increases, so we do this as a last ditch effort. These rages can last from a

few minutes to a few hours! They are VERY exhausting for all involved.

Manipulation seems to play a role in the start of some of these rages I will

admit, but it then turns into anxiety.

I have a home day care business and can't always just let him go off for fear of

hurting the other children. I feel at times that he is trying to ruin my

business. I recently had a family leave and while they gave a different reason

for leaving, they did say 's behavior towards their daughter was a small

part of them leaving. I think it played a bigger role. I will be losing

another family this summer and again he has been rude to the older child. I

WILL NOT GIVE UP MY DAYCARE BUSINESS BECAUSE OF MY SON! I have been doing this

for 16 years now and love it, but he is making it very stressful.

is the youngest of 4 and he seems to take a lot out on his only sister.

She has, at some times, done/said things that set him off and we have pleaded

with her numerous times to be careful. She will be 14 in a few weeks which

means she is a teenager and I'm sure you can guess the rest!!! Stubborn!! The

2 older boys (16 and 18) try hard, but still it's not fair to any of us how

demanding is. BUT we are trying.

I'm babbling on here and kind of got away from my question....sorry! Truth is I

could go on and on!! Thanks for any advice anyone can give...things to try,

medication suggestions, a one-way ticket for me to Hawaii!!

Debbie