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barbarars's comments:

on Recognizing Mental Illness

We are hoping that with continued loving support at home, his new school environment, therapy and meds? that he will continue to heal, and have the opportunity for his brain to develop in a way that enables him to live a happy, fulfilling life. It is just so heartbreaking, as you must know. And yes, I see my guy as someone who will always have an open heart for the underdog. He even stood up to a bully on one of his teams the other day that was harrassing someone else. It is the first time he has really been able to do that.
Was your son able to go to school or be successful at a job? What about relationships?
And finally...when you say fish oil, you are referring to Omega 3 fatty Oil? I am headed to a health food store soon.
Thank you for your reply.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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on Recognizing Mental Illness

I am a mom of a 14 year old with mental illness. I absolutely know what you mean, and agree completely. Most people, mental health care providers as well, have no idea what happens in a home with a child with these needs. More often than not,if this child is at school, thechild uses all of his or her strength and energy to survive the day, and then completely collapses at home.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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on Recognizing Mental Illness

I have a 14 year old son, who prior to one and a half years ago, was a straight A, happy, but anxious, athletically involved kid with a lot of friends. He also was diagnosed with very mild OCD. Then two summers ago, his social group completely dropped him and starting making fun of him and excluding him. It was brutal and heartbreaking. This led to him not being able to get dressed for school(physically), not being able to write and a disassociation with his name and family. After a few months of deterioration, and his refusal to participate in therapy or receive medication, he was involuntarily hospitalized, and then sent to a residential school. This was the first time we heard of anything about a thought disorder or psychosis. We were desperate to do whatever we could to save this boy, and to try to restore his mental health.
At this point he is in high school here in Portland at an alternative school, in therapy and on medications (Clomipramine, risperadol and Geodon..with the latter two being phased out and phased in respectively). He is doing fairly well, and is involved in martial arts and some sports. But his 'former' happy full life is gone.

I have a comment and a question. First of all, his entire peer group has dropped him, as though he were the proverbial leper. Even though he is doing quite well, has a sense of humor, and remains the kind, considerte kid he was, they no longer include him, even when he is proactive about engaging. It is shameful. And I guess I especially want to address the parents of these teens and ask them if they have ever had a conversation with their kids, and encouraged them to extend their friendship once again? I absolutely believe that my son's social world and the cruelty he experienced, which I have not outlined, is what led to his complete falling apart and inability to function.

But I am also curious about a comment Tamara Sale made about Omega 3 Fatty Acid. We have approached the psychiatrist my son works with about nutritinal supplements, including Omega Fatty Aids. But she is not familiar with dosing and results and safety. How do we find out about something like this, as in, how do we get this on board for our son and in what dose?
Please respond.
Thank you for today's program. It was much too limited in time.

posted 5 years, 2 months ago
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