[learning_to_be_free]

Has anyone ever heard of treating a 10year old with abilify? My son has ADHD that he can not go w/o meds or he fails school, kids make fun of him and he is depressed. He has very low self-esteem. The psychiatrist seems to think he has a mood disorder that causes the ADHD meds to become uneffective after a few months. MY son has been living this nightmare for 6years and it just seems to be getting worse. We go to therapists, psychiatrists, and guilded imagry sessions but still nothing seems to be working.(the guided imagry alittle) The Adderall he is on has been working fine so far (since aug) he has been on every ADHD med out there. Adderrall seems to be the only affective one, but has the most side effects. The severe mood swings, emotional outbursts, and extreme need to be in control of everyone all the time are out of control. He has been taking abilify since sept. 1st at 2mg then at 5mg and the symptoms seem to be worsening. He has started having very bad headaches that bring him to tears. He has also become very, very mean torward the family...this is not my son he is a loving boy. I feel I am lossing him! He is failing in school now again and the school did IQ tests and a slue of other tests he is very smart. The only test they did that he scored low on was a test for aspergers syndrome, which I dont think he has he just cant relate to other kids w/o the same problems he has. My mother had bi-polor disorder that she refused to acknowledge & treat that made her, my sisters and I have a horrible life. I dont want this for him. I am SCARED to death for my baby. I dont want a repeat of my childhood, though I didnt have ADHD I had major anxiety and emotional terror. I am taking him to his pediatrition monday who will refere me to the psychiatrist who will do who knows what? I am desprate...does anyone have any advice?

[Psyched]

Learning,
I am so sorry to hear about your son. Mental disorders and diseases are hard enough for adults to handle and I can only imagine what they would be like for a child. My advice to you would be to make sure you tell the psychiatrist you see next EVERYTHING from mood changes, behavioral changes, etc. Unfortunately, Abilify is one of those drugs that help with one thing but can cause other problems. The headaches, increased agitation, dizziness...all are known side effects. Maybe this psychiatrist can help you find something that will help your son better and relieve your fears. Also keep in mind that, as you seem to know all too well, dosages can take a lot of trial and error until the right ones and combinations with other drugs click for the patient. Worse still is the fact that what works for one case probably won't work for the next. BUT, DON'T LOSE HOPE OR FAITH!!! I'll be praying for your son and your family, too. I know it's hard, but try and hang in there until things work out. Good luck and God bless!

[learning_to_be_free]

Originally Posted by Psyched

Learning,
I am so sorry to hear about your son. Mental disorders and diseases are hard enough for adults to handle and I can only imagine what they would be like for a child. My advice to you would be to make sure you tell the psychiatrist you see next EVERYTHING from mood changes, behavioral changes, etc. Unfortunately, Abilify is one of those drugs that help with one thing but can cause other problems. The headaches, increased agitation, dizziness...all are known side effects. Maybe this psychiatrist can help you find something that will help your son better and relieve your fears. Also keep in mind that, as you seem to know all too well, dosages can take a lot of trial and error until the right ones and combinations with other drugs click for the patient. Worse still is the fact that what works for one case probably won't work for the next. BUT, DON'T LOSE HOPE OR FAITH!!! I'll be praying for your son and your family, too. I know it's hard, but try and hang in there until things work out. Good luck and God bless!

I am thankful for your words of encouragment. I will definetitly keep trying. We noticed problems in kindergarten with him but I refused meds till the 1st grade it seemed it would just be ADHD but then other things started to happen with him. He had no social skills and interupted his class often. he was inappropriate with others kids, overbearing with them desprately trying to fit in. His classmates were very cruel to him. the school then did their slue of tests and came up with Autism which my son did not have he was very loving to our family which just doesnt fit autism....they had me ?ing aspergers though, a lesser degree of autism in a way. I still ? weather he may have some form of it. the pediatrion agreed but the psychiatrist didnt. as soon as he heard of my mother having bi-polor disorder he was set on that diagnosis, which more and more seems to fit. I cant get a second opinion in any kind of timely manner it took months to get into the psychiatrist he sees now but I will still ask for one no matter the wait. Our ins isnt very good and I have to fight for everything. I wish I could just fix this he wont be a kid for much longer...I hate this will be his memories. I also feel so guilty for my opiate addiction and depression which has done nothing but hurt the whole family especially him. Thanks for listening It warms my heart that you dont really have kids with this problem but replied anyway THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS you dont know how much comfort that gives me<3
If anyone else out there is in a similar situation or just has any advice it would be very much appreciated

[Psyched]

Learning,
You're so welcome. Like I said, it may take time, but things will begin to click. As for your problems, I read all the time how you talk with Robert so I know that you too are trying to help yourself and that is commendable as well. Just don't beat yourself up over what's already happened and vow to use your feelings to help you through what's going on now. The world can be a cold and cruel place with plenty of people ready to knock you down so why help them out? Keep the faith and keep on keepin' on. And just for the record, I have about 30 kids!!! They live at the residential center where I work and if I could I would take them all as mine! Have a blessed day!

[weihon]

But base on the description on Abilify, won't Abilify further harm the child beside those side effects? Plus i'm afraid this drugs will effect his growing rate. Please enlighten me Many thanks