Please help, I am not sure what to do next....

[Guest guest]

Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years ago.

He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major, until

now.

His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

His latest break down goes like this:

He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into. Right

now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures. He

was in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he made

a mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the one he

skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I could not

do much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and did not

want to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation on my

end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors and

they said it should be fine.

I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going on in

his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it was

helping, but now, I am not sure.

I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is breaking

my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate to see

him hurting so much.

Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

Thanks

[Guest guest]

It sounds like the anxiety is very high. You will see

lots of stories like your son's on groups with kids

with autism spectrum disorders, like Asperger Syndrome.

Anxiety can increase ridgid or perfection behaviors.

And your son is playing in a very isolated way by himself,

if he was playing with a playmate he would have to be

much more flexible. His storyline would change depending on

what his peer wanted to do. When anxiety is high many

cope with insisting on making things predictable.

My daughter's meltdowns etc were greatly reduced

by finding the right SSRI for her, for her zoloft

progressively increased her agitation. We found for

her that prozac at a very low dose help greatly.

She had lots of issues:

if she missed the start of a movie, she would not watch it

if it was not started over.

Many things had to be as she expected it to be, if she expected

her yogart to have a smooth top, she would not eat it if

I stuck a spoon in it. There would be a huge meltdown.

What I know is that kids with Tourettes Syndrome have

neurological issues that may make them much more

sensitive to medications, just as with Asperger or other

autism spectrum disorders medications are often keep low.

Otherwise they may have more tics, agitation etc.

My daughter takes prozac, I do not go over 10mg. Which

is so very low to treat OCD symptoms. But it is working

for her. She still can really explode when things

don't go as she expects ...and she really takes it out on

me. But she is getting better every year.

As far as therapy, it does help to teach a child coping

skills. I would guess they might try having him

play games where the outcome is not predictable, like

a game of WAR or something simple. They may want him

exposed to more small exposures of unpredictable outcomes,

guessing games.

When he gets upset ...you can say " I see that upset you "

but then move on to another idea. My daughter is not

receptive to direct therapy if I said " stop obsessing over

that game " she would explode ....so for my daughter I

validate that she is still upset but I move on. Sometimes

she will say ...if you see I am upset then you should

fix it ... then I can say " it looks to me that game upsets you,

I want to play something else " My daughter may stay

locked into this idea for an hour or more and scream, yell etc.

It is exhausting, the less attention I give to this the better.

With your son, therapy may help him. If he is willing

to use techniques and gain insight. Otherwise

therapy can help you with parenting a child like this.

The therapist can help yu sort out if you can

problem solve with him, what the increase in anxiety

is about, if you need to take a behavior approach more

than an insight approach. It depends on what he responds too.

A therapist that has experience with kids with Asperger or TS

may help, since kids with neurological disorders

often need different kind of cognitive therapy. One that

is not expecting the kid to have much insight and one

that addresses lack of motivation in therapy.

Pam

> He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation on

my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors and

they said it should be fine.

>

> I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going on

in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it

was helping, but now, I am not sure.

>

> I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

>

> This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

>

> Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

It sounds like a normal kind of OCD to me...ordering things just so and having

to start over or have a meltdown if it's done wrong or out of order. Is he in

CBT/ERP therapy? That's what's worked for us. It can be a slow process, but

seems like it would work for that type of OCD issue.

Good luck & hope you find some good help soon. Dealing with the meltdowns is

very tiring.

Dot

>

> Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years

ago. He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major,

until now.

>

> His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

>

> His latest break down goes like this:

>

> He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into.

Right now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures.

He was in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he

made a mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the

one he skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I

could not do much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and

did not want to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

>

> But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

>

> He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

>

> He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation on

my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors and

they said it should be fine.

>

> I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going on

in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it

was helping, but now, I am not sure.

>

> I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

>

> This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

>

> Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

It sounds like a normal kind of OCD to me...ordering things just so and having

to start over or have a meltdown if it's done wrong or out of order. Is he in

CBT/ERP therapy? That's what's worked for us. It can be a slow process, but

seems like it would work for that type of OCD issue.

Good luck & hope you find some good help soon. Dealing with the meltdowns is

very tiring.

Dot

>

> Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years

ago. He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major,

until now.

>

> His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

>

> His latest break down goes like this:

>

> He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into.

Right now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures.

He was in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he

made a mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the

one he skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I

could not do much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and

did not want to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

>

> But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

>

> He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

>

> He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation on

my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors and

they said it should be fine.

>

> I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going on

in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it

was helping, but now, I am not sure.

>

> I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

>

> This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

>

> Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

Are the mood swings just since he started the Clonazepam?

Why did the doc choose that over an SSRI antidepressant for his anxiety? Or is

he taking both?

Does he understand that OCD is what is making him want to keep those in order?

Our son used to keep track of things in his mind like that too. He used to tell

me it was exhausting, but he didn't know how to stop. I wonder if that is what

your son is experiencing.

Our son got some relief when he started on medication (SSRI antidepressant). It

took the intensity of everything down a notch, so he no longer felt the NEED to

keep constant track of everything. He was able to let it go, some.

Can he be distracted with something else that he had an interest in? Sometimes

we found that these things like that sort of burn themselves out, with time.

I know how hard it is. I'm so sorry you are going through that. It's very

stressful. (

BJ

>

> Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years

ago. He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major,

until now.

>

> His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

>

> His latest break down goes like this:

>

> He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into.

Right now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures.

He was in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he

made a mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the

one he skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I

could not do much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and

did not want to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

>

> But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

>

> He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

>

> He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation on

my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors and

they said it should be fine.

>

> I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going on

in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it

was helping, but now, I am not sure.

>

> I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

>

> This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

>

> Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

Are the mood swings just since he started the Clonazepam?

Why did the doc choose that over an SSRI antidepressant for his anxiety? Or is

he taking both?

Does he understand that OCD is what is making him want to keep those in order?

Our son used to keep track of things in his mind like that too. He used to tell

me it was exhausting, but he didn't know how to stop. I wonder if that is what

your son is experiencing.

Our son got some relief when he started on medication (SSRI antidepressant). It

took the intensity of everything down a notch, so he no longer felt the NEED to

keep constant track of everything. He was able to let it go, some.

Can he be distracted with something else that he had an interest in? Sometimes

we found that these things like that sort of burn themselves out, with time.

I know how hard it is. I'm so sorry you are going through that. It's very

stressful. (

BJ

>

> Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years

ago. He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major,

until now.

>

> His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

>

> His latest break down goes like this:

>

> He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into.

Right now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures.

He was in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he

made a mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the

one he skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I

could not do much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and

did not want to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

>

> But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

>

> He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

>

> He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation on

my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors and

they said it should be fine.

>

> I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going on

in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it

was helping, but now, I am not sure.

>

> I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

>

> This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

>

> Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

I feel your pain.  My son has TS, ADHD, PDD-NOS and you can say OCd but it is

mostly cosidered Perserveration, since there is no cause and effect.  He dosn't

get dirty and feel the need to wash, etc. 

 

We have had and still have the same situations.  His rages were so so bad that

he was admitted twice.  Touretts plus causes rages as well as the every day

stimuli and the perseverating.  The good news is that after finding Intuniv

(for Tourets and adhd) and Celexa for the social anxiety, he is so much

better.  It took us a year to get him on the right medications, and as a boy

grows, so does the dosages etc.  We have found that the stimulants sontributed

to his rages (Aderal).  Tenex did wonders for his TS.  Now that he is on the

NON-Generic form (Intuniv) he is 100% better.

 

My son will only play with me and it must be a role playing game.  1 Month it

is star wars, the next it is knights etc.  He gets very frustrated when he

scripts and misses a beat and repeats him self 30 times until he feels it is the

correct description.  I find if I tell him he is getting stuck and lets do this

once the way you need it to be.  After that I give him a visual cue to redirect

him.  If that doesn't work I tell him, I know you are upset, I want to help

you.  When you are ready for me to help and cool down, let me know.  Then I

walk away and try to ignore the outbursts!  If his rages get violent, lock

yourself in the bathroom.  Do not ingage in discussion during a rage, since

they are not there.  Wait until the dust settles and empathize, discuss, and

find a solution together.  I reccomend Dr. Green's book.  It is very hard...we

know!  Keep your chin up!

To:

Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 10:22 PM

Subject: Please help, I am not sure what to do next....

 

Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years ago.

He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major, until

now.

His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

His latest break down goes like this:

He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into. Right

now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures. He was

in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he made a

mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the one he

skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I could not do

much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and did not want

to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation on my

end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors and

they said it should be fine.

I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going on in

his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it was

helping, but now, I am not sure.

I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at him

and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is just

how I feel.

This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is breaking

my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate to see him

hurting so much.

Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

Thanks

[Guest guest]

I feel your pain.  My son has TS, ADHD, PDD-NOS and you can say OCd but it is

mostly cosidered Perserveration, since there is no cause and effect.  He dosn't

get dirty and feel the need to wash, etc. 

 

We have had and still have the same situations.  His rages were so so bad that

he was admitted twice.  Touretts plus causes rages as well as the every day

stimuli and the perseverating.  The good news is that after finding Intuniv

(for Tourets and adhd) and Celexa for the social anxiety, he is so much

better.  It took us a year to get him on the right medications, and as a boy

grows, so does the dosages etc.  We have found that the stimulants sontributed

to his rages (Aderal).  Tenex did wonders for his TS.  Now that he is on the

NON-Generic form (Intuniv) he is 100% better.

 

My son will only play with me and it must be a role playing game.  1 Month it

is star wars, the next it is knights etc.  He gets very frustrated when he

scripts and misses a beat and repeats him self 30 times until he feels it is the

correct description.  I find if I tell him he is getting stuck and lets do this

once the way you need it to be.  After that I give him a visual cue to redirect

him.  If that doesn't work I tell him, I know you are upset, I want to help

you.  When you are ready for me to help and cool down, let me know.  Then I

walk away and try to ignore the outbursts!  If his rages get violent, lock

yourself in the bathroom.  Do not ingage in discussion during a rage, since

they are not there.  Wait until the dust settles and empathize, discuss, and

find a solution together.  I reccomend Dr. Green's book.  It is very hard...we

know!  Keep your chin up!

To:

Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 10:22 PM

Subject: Please help, I am not sure what to do next....

 

Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years ago.

He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major, until

now.

His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

His latest break down goes like this:

He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into. Right

now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures. He was

in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he made a

mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the one he

skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I could not do

much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and did not want

to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation on my

end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors and

they said it should be fine.

I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going on in

his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it was

helping, but now, I am not sure.

I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at him

and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is just

how I feel.

This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is breaking

my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate to see him

hurting so much.

Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

Thanks

[Guest guest]

My 8 yo dd (does not have OCD) is very much that way when reading a book,

telling a story, talking to me, etc.  If something/someone interrupts her, she

gets very upset and has to go back to the beginning again.  So I can understand

the meltdown about the Star Wars!  Would he be ok with going back and starting

it all over again?  Or moving on to another movie series, or just a different

Star Wars version?  Does he have friends?  Could you suggest he start over and

do it with a friend?  Just trying to think of some things that work for my dd.

Sharon

To:

Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:22 PM

Subject: Please help, I am not sure what to do next....

 

Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years ago.

He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major, until

now.

His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

His latest break down goes like this:

He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into. Right

now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures. He was

in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he made a

mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the one he

skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I could not do

much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and did not want

to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation on my

end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors and

they said it should be fine.

I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going on in

his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it was

helping, but now, I am not sure.

I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at him

and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is just

how I feel.

This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is breaking

my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate to see him

hurting so much.

Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

Thanks

[Guest guest]

I agree Pam it sounds autistic-like to me too. I was going to suggest some

testing if there are other things (social situations and motor skills affected).

Bonnie

>

> It sounds like the anxiety is very high. You will see

> lots of stories like your son's on groups with kids

> with autism spectrum disorders, like Asperger Syndrome.

>

> Anxiety can increase ridgid or perfection behaviors.

>

> And your son is playing in a very isolated way by himself,

> if he was playing with a playmate he would have to be

> much more flexible. His storyline would change depending on

> what his peer wanted to do. When anxiety is high many

> cope with insisting on making things predictable.

>

> My daughter's meltdowns etc were greatly reduced

> by finding the right SSRI for her, for her zoloft

> progressively increased her agitation. We found for

> her that prozac at a very low dose help greatly.

>

> She had lots of issues:

>

> if she missed the start of a movie, she would not watch it

> if it was not started over.

>

> Many things had to be as she expected it to be, if she expected

> her yogart to have a smooth top, she would not eat it if

> I stuck a spoon in it. There would be a huge meltdown.

>

> What I know is that kids with Tourettes Syndrome have

> neurological issues that may make them much more

> sensitive to medications, just as with Asperger or other

> autism spectrum disorders medications are often keep low.

> Otherwise they may have more tics, agitation etc.

>

> My daughter takes prozac, I do not go over 10mg. Which

> is so very low to treat OCD symptoms. But it is working

> for her. She still can really explode when things

> don't go as she expects ...and she really takes it out on

> me. But she is getting better every year.

>

> As far as therapy, it does help to teach a child coping

> skills. I would guess they might try having him

> play games where the outcome is not predictable, like

> a game of WAR or something simple. They may want him

> exposed to more small exposures of unpredictable outcomes,

> guessing games.

>

>

> When he gets upset ...you can say " I see that upset you "

> but then move on to another idea. My daughter is not

> receptive to direct therapy if I said " stop obsessing over

> that game " she would explode ....so for my daughter I

> validate that she is still upset but I move on. Sometimes

> she will say ...if you see I am upset then you should

> fix it ... then I can say " it looks to me that game upsets you,

> I want to play something else " My daughter may stay

> locked into this idea for an hour or more and scream, yell etc.

> It is exhausting, the less attention I give to this the better.

>

> With your son, therapy may help him. If he is willing

> to use techniques and gain insight. Otherwise

> therapy can help you with parenting a child like this.

> The therapist can help yu sort out if you can

> problem solve with him, what the increase in anxiety

> is about, if you need to take a behavior approach more

> than an insight approach. It depends on what he responds too.

>

> A therapist that has experience with kids with Asperger or TS

> may help, since kids with neurological disorders

> often need different kind of cognitive therapy. One that

> is not expecting the kid to have much insight and one

> that addresses lack of motivation in therapy.

>

> Pam

>

>

> > He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation

on my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors

and they said it should be fine.

> >

> > I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going

on in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought

it was helping, but now, I am not sure.

> >

> > I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

> >

> > This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

> >

> > Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

> >

> > Thanks

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much to everyone for their great advice. He has been evaluated

several times and so far no diagnosis of Aspergers or being on the spectrum.

The rages are so inconsistent, I am not sure if they are from the medication,

however, I have decided to lower the dosage, which I did a couple days ago. I

was thinking that maybe Paxil might work better. We have tried Tenex and it

seemed to make his tics worse rather than better. He has been and is still on

antibiotic for PANDAS related to strep, which he has been tested for, but not

recently.

My downfall is that I try to make it better right away so it does not escalate.

I think that might be part of it, if he is trying to get my attention in some

way. I am going to call the therapist and fill her in on what is happening in

hopes she can work with him more on it.

It is really just killing me inside to see him like this. I just want my little

boy back. I am taking clonazapem myself because my anxiety is sky high since

this started.

I just want to know if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I don't think

I can handle it getting any worse.

It is great to be able to come here for support.

Thanks again

>

> Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years

ago. He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major,

until now.

>

> His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

>

> His latest break down goes like this:

>

> He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into.

Right now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures.

He was in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he

made a mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the

one he skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I

could not do much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and

did not want to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

>

> But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

>

> He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

>

> He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation on

my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors and

they said it should be fine.

>

> I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going on

in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it

was helping, but now, I am not sure.

>

> I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

>

> This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

>

> Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

I don't think it's unreasonable to question meds. Klonopin was terrible for my

son and SSRI's were bad too unless in a very small dose.

Bonnie

> >

> > Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years

ago. He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major,

until now.

> >

> > His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

> >

> > His latest break down goes like this:

> >

> > He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into.

Right now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures.

He was in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he

made a mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the

one he skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I

could not do much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and

did not want to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

> >

> > But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

> >

> > He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

> >

> > He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation

on my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors

and they said it should be fine.

> >

> > I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going

on in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought

it was helping, but now, I am not sure.

> >

> > I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

> >

> > This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

> >

> > Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

> >

> > Thanks

> >

>

[Guest guest]

There is a light at the end of the tunnel and we have all

here to help you find it! In our case my daughter

had a number of different issues, so some of our kids

can require complex treatments. Although one treatment

may not be a cure, all the various treatments contribute to a better

quality of life.

Rages are often stress build ups. And medications can either

soft them or in some kids they get more agitated.

Prozac and zoloft (or lexapro) are metabolized by different

liver enzymes. If prozac causes agitation you can try

zoloft (or lexapro).

I have not heard much about paxil in pediatric populations.

Pam

> >

> > Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years

ago. He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major,

until now.

> >

> > His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who react

this way to a situation.

> >

> > His latest break down goes like this:

> >

> > He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into.

Right now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures.

He was in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he

made a mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the

one he skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I

could not do much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and

did not want to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

> >

> > But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go from

there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

> >

> > He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened. He

starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

> >

> > He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation

on my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors

and they said it should be fine.

> >

> > I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going

on in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought

it was helping, but now, I am not sure.

> >

> > I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings are

extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

> >

> > This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

> >

> > Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

> >

> > Thanks

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Pam - I really appreciate that. Yesterday was great, no problems, but

today - who knows. I find myself getting anxious just wondering what might

happen. I hate that. He is at camp now, and I keep thinking about picking him

up and him telling me that something is wrong. I don't know why lately I am

getting so worried about it.

He has not taken the Clonazepam for 2 days now, and I don't know if that is just

a coincidence since I know it is probably still in his system.

I think I may try going without any meds for a while, and then think about the

prozac or lexipro. I think that might be more of what he needs.

Thanks again and I am keeping my fingers crossed for better days to come.

> > >

> > > Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years

ago. He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major,

until now.

> > >

> > > His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who

react this way to a situation.

> > >

> > > His latest break down goes like this:

> > >

> > > He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into.

Right now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures.

He was in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he

made a mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the

one he skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I

could not do much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and

did not want to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

> > >

> > > But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go

from there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

> > >

> > > He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened.

He starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

> > >

> > > He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation

on my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors

and they said it should be fine.

> > >

> > > I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going

on in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought

it was helping, but now, I am not sure.

> > >

> > > I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings

are extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at

him and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is

just how I feel.

> > >

> > > This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

> > >

> > > Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

, I am feeling the same way.  I am feeling anxiety about waiting for dd

to be telling me about her anxiety and coming to me every few minutes for

reassurance.  It is so exhausting.  Last night was a bad one, she couldnt

sleep in her own bed, yet again, for fear that her heart would stop or she would

stop breathing during the night.  My heart breaks for her.  I am so exhausted

today, i told her she could not tell me one more medical thing (it is non stop -

this hurts, that hurts, this feels weird, etc).  It has been about an hour and

she hasnt!  I told her to write it in her journal instead of telling me.  Not

sure if she has or not, but she is not coming to me.  Hopefully it lasts. 

  If not, this hour has been wonderful!

Sharon

To:

Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 9:56 AM

Subject: Re: Please help, I am not sure what to do next....

 

Thanks Pam - I really appreciate that. Yesterday was great, no problems, but

today - who knows. I find myself getting anxious just wondering what might

happen. I hate that. He is at camp now, and I keep thinking about picking him up

and him telling me that something is wrong. I don't know why lately I am getting

so worried about it.

He has not taken the Clonazepam for 2 days now, and I don't know if that is just

a coincidence since I know it is probably still in his system.

I think I may try going without any meds for a while, and then think about the

prozac or lexipro. I think that might be more of what he needs.

Thanks again and I am keeping my fingers crossed for better days to come.

> > >

> > > Just a brief history. My Son is 10 and was diagnosed with TS about 2 years

ago. He has had OCD issues most of his life, but nothing ever really major,

until now.

> > >

> > > His OCD is very unique, since I can't seem to find a lot of people who

react this way to a situation.

> > >

> > > His latest break down goes like this:

> > >

> > > He loves movies, etc. and will go back and forth between what he is into.

Right now it is Star Wars. He likes to act out things with his action figures.

He was in the middle of acting out several seasons of the Clone Wars, when he

made a mistake and skipped an episode. He did not want to go back and do the one

he skipped because it was not the same. He had a major meltdown and I could not

do much to console him. He said he had been working so hard on it and did not

want to start over again - he had done a lot at this point.

> > >

> > > But, instead of being able to go back and do the skipped episode and go

from there, he would not have any of it. He is so distraught over it, he keeps

bringing it up - 2 days later.

> > >

> > > He will be happy for a while and then it is right back to what happened.

He starts getting angry, crying, gets distant - you name it.

> > >

> > > He is on Clonazepam. He started about 2 weeks ago with a lot of hesitation

on my end. I was not sure about the medication and got 2 opinions from doctors

and they said it should be fine.

> > >

> > > I am not sure if it is the meds causing this or just part of what is going

on in his brain. he is also seeing a therapist every other week and I thought it

was helping, but now, I am not sure.

> > >

> > > I have tried everything and I am at my wits end because the mood swings

are extremely hard to deal with. I try to comfort him as much as I can and I am

starting to wonder if part of it is to get more attention. I want to yell at him

and tell him to cut it out - but I know that is not the solution - it is just

how I feel.

> > >

> > > This is not my child, who is normally happy, funny, loving, etc. It is

breaking my heart to see him like this. He has it so hard right now and I hate

to see him hurting so much.

> > >

> > > Please, if anyone has any thoughts - please let me know

> > >

> > > Thanks

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon, that's good that she can write it in a journal. Reminded me that some

parents have found having them write things on slips of paper and having a

box/container to put them in has helped, call it a " worry box " or something if

they like. You can schedule a daily time for them to pick out a few (have a

number set) to read to you later. And they may find they no longer need to tell

you some of them, or any. But sometimes they still need to tell, so setting a

time/limit can help.

>

> , I am feeling the same way.  I am feeling anxiety about waiting for dd

to be telling me about her anxiety and coming to me every few minutes for

reassurance.  It is so exhausting.  Last night was a bad one, she couldnt

sleep in her own bed, yet again, for fear that her heart would stop or she would

stop breathing during the night.  My heart breaks for her.  I am so exhausted

today, i told her she could not tell me one more medical thing (it is non stop -

this hurts, that hurts, this feels weird, etc).  It has been about an hour and

she hasnt!  I told her to write it in her journal instead of telling me.  Not

sure if she has or not, but she is not

[Guest guest]

We have talked about having a worry box and a worry time.  She will NOT go for

that.  She says there is no way she can go all day without telling me her

worries all day long.  That would be nice, though.  Sometimes I just cant take

it anymore and, for that time, she does write in her journal.  Then she shows

it to me later.

Sharon

To:

Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 5:25 PM

Subject: Re: Please help, I am not sure what to do next....

 

Sharon, that's good that she can write it in a journal. Reminded me that some

parents have found having them write things on slips of paper and having a

box/container to put them in has helped, call it a " worry box " or something if

they like. You can schedule a daily time for them to pick out a few (have a

number set) to read to you later. And they may find they no longer need to tell

you some of them, or any. But sometimes they still need to tell, so setting a

time/limit can help.

>

> , I am feeling the same way.  I am feeling anxiety about waiting for

dd to be telling me about her anxiety and coming to me every few minutes for

reassurance.  It is so exhausting.  Last night was a bad one, she couldnt

sleep in her own bed, yet again, for fear that her heart would stop or she would

stop breathing during the night.  My heart breaks for her.  I am so

exhausted today, i told her she could not tell me one more medical thing (it is

non stop - this hurts, that hurts, this feels weird, etc).  It has been about

an hour and she hasnt!  I told her to write it in her journal instead of

telling me.  Not sure if she has or not, but she is not