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Hi All,
I wrote this message on another forum site and am going to post it a couple places here. I am wondering how much of these behaviors might appear to be ADHD:
My son was placed at 13 mo old he is now only 4 in July '05. We thought he first had Sensory Integration Dysfunction (which I am absoloutely convinced: tactile, vestibular and oral) while his Pediatrician and Psychologist are really thinking ADD and BP--in addition to SID, and are recommending a psychiatrist to look into treating him for such. 3/5 of his bsibs are treated for BP and ADHD so far and his bmom has both as well in addition to ODD. It's unknown about the Bfather but he seems rageful and manic by my son's file. Both bparents are meth and cocaine users. My son's symptoms that have raised some red flags are:
His carb cravings (he can eat any kind of bread almost prepared anyway). Though it seems he has oral sensory issues as he stuffs food until his mouth is consumed. He will demand certain foods like ice cream and yogurt and become angry if he can't have them.
Violent tantrums. I didn't know that it wasn't normal for a tantrum to last in excess of 45 min without defusing but rather more persistant and impulsive--hitting kicking biting spitting screaming etc..
Difficulty sleeping. He used to take up to 2 hours to go to sleep as he has racing thoughts and can't settle down. Bedtime has been a battle for us. DH and I got it down to 45 min now on average. He sleeps 9 hours a day though. No naps unless in the car (he can sleep within 5 min by the sound of the car) Though from what I've read he is getting more sleep than stated in some of the information on this site (more than 4-6 hours).
Very impulsive in almost all he does. He is strong willed by nature though too.
I've noted he's been having a pattern. 10-14 days of NORMAL behavior. Normal tantrums, follows directions, everying within reason for a 4 year old. Still has sensory issues but therapy seems to work.
On the other 10-14 days he is off the wall! Out of sync and seems to act beyond our authority. His rages (though he never hits or kicks with full force) last from 5 min to 1 1/2 hours easily and are progressive. If I walk away he will come at me persisting on whatever it was that triggered the tantrum and hitting or kicking me. He seems too zoned out to reason. NOTHING seems to work as far as disapline. It's like he really just DOES NOT get it. It's not clicking with him though he does hear me. Then when the rage is over he is usually calm and wants to play quietly with me. Yet he can still be sneaky and repeat his initial request (where my answer can just send him into a rage again.)
Durring both of these blocks of days, he is affectionate and loving at times and can listen and be reasoned with. He is extremely bonded to me and my DH and will even tell me he is sorry sometimes after doing what he does followed by a kiss, hug or a snuggle.
Though these are the ONLY symptoms of BP I have seen. Do any of you think that this really could be BP? Could it be something else? Do I sound like a mom in denial? I certainly don't want to be. I just want to know other parents thougts on these behaviors. How do you tell these things from ADD or SID? Is it more likely these symptoms are caused by genetics or drug effects. My son was exposed to meth and cocaine in utero the first trimester by his bmom. Or is there something else this sounds like. I would just appreciate anyone's input.
Thanks!
I should add that he seems to hold himself together in pre-school or EI (2 1/2 hours per day) with only a reminder or so about bump and crash play on with the trucks. Some sensory issues are still prevelent. And sometimes he has to be asked a few times by a teacher to do something. He also, for the most part, plays well with other kids and has pretty good manners. Is this odd?
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MJ - I'm sorry for your situation - sounds like you really are trying to figure this out!
What I would personally suggest: let a psychologist evalutate him. It sounds like a great deal of what he is experiencing is genetic. Look at his bparents. A psychologist has the expertise to find certain things and be able to explain what is going on. I have a son who is OCD/some ADD and when you mentioned that he can't slow down his brain - makes me wonder if it is ADD. It's terribly frustrating for the family but unbelievable for the child. They want to be doing what is told but the chemistry in their brain is not cooperating. It then gets out of hand and takes even longer to get them back on track.
Let us know what you find out.:)
thanks for your thoughts. On another site someone suggested high functioning autisim. I really am don't think Aspbergers I'm not sure if there is another criteria he might meet. With ADD, he doesn't seem to fit the profile except for his mind not settling down and being on the go. So many symptoms seem to be sensory with that. He is able to focus outside of his rages.
I DID look into an impulse control disorder called Intermitent Explosive Disorder. He fits that profile almost perfect though still has cycles. I'm thinking Cyclothymia? I'm really not sure. I have an apt. with a phychiatrist in a week and a half to help figure things out. Below is something I cut out from [url]http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/fall97/sensory.htm[/url] :
"5. The child has difficulty calming himself after exciting physical activity or after becoming upset. After this child "loses it" he cannot be consoled. Tantrums may last for hours, or the child may become so excited after vigorous play that he continues high activity levels long after the event. Some children regularly escalate their activity levels during the day without experiencing "down time" or being able to engage in quiet activity. Dinner time becomes chaotic and the child has extreme difficulty falling asleep at bedtime.
6. The child seeks excessive amounts of vigorous sensory input. Many children like to jump, swing, and spin; but when this is excessive, it may be problematic. The child may spin himself on playground equipment or twirl around a room for prolonged periods without experiencing dizziness. Another child may continually throw himself on the floor, deliberately hurl himself against people and things, or jump excessively."
This sounded like him so much and is related to SID. The following I pulled from a site with information on IED [url]http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:hohCooUq-nQJ:www.mental-health-matters.com/disorders/dis_details.php%3FdisID%3D54+Intermittent+explosive+disorder+children&hl=en[/url], Another site with information is: [url]http://www.psychdirect.com/forensic/Criminology/impulse/explosive.htm[/url]
"Intermittent Explosive Disorder is where a person has defined episodes of violence precipitated by little provocation. These episodes begin and end very abruptly, but may last for hours. During and episode, the person experiences urges to break objects, feel confusion or suffer from amnesia. After the act however, they do display remorse and assume responsibility, generally."
I think the early onset of BP is there but I am just not seeing him meet the profile for that either. Hmm. Just want him to get the best help and don't want to be given an unthoughtout diagnosis nor do I want my little guy used as a guinea pig. I don't want the good side of him to go away (which is most of him) just the impulse issues to be more under control.
Thanks again for your imput,
MJ