Hi Everyone, I am new to mental health

[newsandi]

Hi guys, I have been on the substance abuse forum for a few months now and met a lot of wonderful people for my problem of addiction. I have around 10 days shy of 3 months of sobriety but I have a son that has some mental issues and wanted to share my story and get some feedback on your experiences and knowledge on this.
My son currently is locked up for some minor warrants, driving under suspension and carry a pocket knife. He went into court today but they said that he was not compentent to stand trial and he has to have a medical eval. to see if he can stand trial. He was diagnose with a learning disability back in grade school, had a IEP, which is modifications for all of his school work. He also has bi-poplar, anger issues and depression. He takes adderall for his adhd and citalopram for depression. I have made numerous calls to bring his meds to him but they wont allow it. They have to call his pharmacy to verify meds and then will give them to him. It could take a couple days before this happens which frustrates me because I know w/out them he goes insane, literally. I cant see him until tomorrow because it based on his last name and certain days. Well my concern is, someone from the admistration dept of the medical dept called and asked if he was MRDD????? I only heard this statement about my son back in grade school and I said right away NO WAY, he is not and I dont want him labeled as such. Well, I told this woman that he wasn't but they are not convinced. She was talking about him getting ssi and housing and case managers and I need to get a lawyer for ssi and so on and so on. It really broke my heart to pieces. I am so afraid that my son will never function in society. I dont know where to turn. If anyone can relate to this story or just want to share that I am not alone, I would appreciate it tremdously. I am just down and out today and feel so alone. I have a good support system here at home with family but I need to know that I am not alone and that there are things that I can do as a mother to help my son. It is just so overwhelming to me. Thanks for listening and I hope to hear from you all.
Sandi, Scooters mom

[GailJ]

I don't know if you can do this in Ohio or not but could you not talk with his lawyer about his human rights, even as an inmate and involve his doctor in his treatment while he is incarcerated. I don't know how expensive that would be but there has to be someone who could help you advocate for him. Is he an adult or adulescent.

I have a bipolar son who has been in serious trouble too. It's not easy being a mum and having to defend every day from the time they start grade school.

[historyteach]

Sandi;

There are prison mental health advocates. Call and ask to speak to the advocate. They are normally very good. Explain the situation, and the advocate should help get your son's meds in asap. It is a violation of his rights to deny him his medication. It wouldn't happen if he was diabetic; it shouldn't happen with mental illness, either! It is just as life threatening.

I don't understand MRDD. MR is Mentally Retarded. What is the DD?
Thanks for explaining.

SHalom!

[newsandi]

Thanks Gail and Teach, I feel a little better today, I am going down at noon to visit my son and make sure he is getting his meds. I did talk to the adminstrator that runs the medical dept in the jail and he made me feel some what better. Teach, all I knew about mrdd was mental retardation and thats what just freaked me out. My son is not mentally retarded, he drives a car, he has had relationships, he is just about done with getting his GED. He has a learning disability and is on a average 3 years behind his peers but retarded, NO WAY!!!! And I just had a breakdown yesterday thinking how can they say this. So I got a post on another forum that stated that the DD part is what they were referring to and that means developmental disabilites, which yeah that could be him. He has always developed behind the "average" peer of his. I know that when he does get out, I am going to have him tested to find out exactly what his problems all are and find the proper medicine for him. I appreciate you guys being here for me and this will be a second home for me. I spent 3 hours reading everyones posts and it feels good not to be alone. I even took a lot of notes on the different Bi-poplar types.
I do have a few questions if anyone could answer then for me.........
What is rapid cycler? I know it can be in both types of bp but not sure what it is...
I also read that a anti-dep is not good alone to help with bp but that a mood stab. and a anti-dep is. My son takes Citalopram, I read up on it but I think its a ad. He was given Trimethadione which he doesnt take, and its for seizures.....
Any advice would be appreciated.
Maybe someday, I can help others but right now, I dont have any knowledge to share, just can support everyone and pray for us all.
thx
Scooter's mom

[historyteach]

Many times, seizure meds are used for bipolar conditions. It's considered "off label" but, it's found to be effective for some.

Here is what I found on rapid cycle bipolar disorder:

Rapid cycling, according to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, occurs when a person experiences four or more mood swings or episodes in a twelve-month period. An episode can consist of depression, mania, hypomania or even a mixed state. According to Mitzi Waltz in Bipolar Disorders, women and children are more likely to be rapid cyclers. Expert Consensus states that five to 15 percent of those with bipolar disorder fit the criteria for rapid cycling.
The term "ultra-rapid cycling" may be applied to those who cycle through episodes within a month or less. If this pattern occurs within a 24-hour period, the person's diagnosis could possibly be termed "ultra-ultra-rapid cycling" or "ultradian." It is often difficult to tell ultradian cycling from a mixed episode.

According to Dr. Demitri Papolos, co-author of The Bipolar Child, the majority of children with bipolar disorder cycle very rapidly, some even alternating moods several times within one day.

What is Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder?
When shutterbug comes back, talk with her. She's fantastic and knows an awful lot about the subject. I hope this helps in the meantime.

Shalom!

[reader]

Hi Sandi, I wanted to say hello.... I have a son who is learning disabled too, so I know how frustrating and heartbreaking it can be. I do not know all your info. but I made the decision to home school my son. I use the Real World series and he is so much happier. I wish I had made this choice earlier, it would have saved so much stress to both of us. The anger on his part was getting worse by the day and he was labeled as "stupid" by a school that needed to join the 21st century. Since he has been home taught his natural love of learning has come back and it is a joy to see. I would suggest to mention generic prozac to his dr., it often helps young men with anger- frustration issues. Goggle it for more info. Keep your chin up and know u are never alone.... hugs out to u from one mom to another~~~

[Lucidiotic]

Originally Posted by newsandi

I also read that a anti-dep is not good alone to help with bp but that a mood stab. and a anti-dep is. My son takes Citalopram, I read up on it but I think its a ad. He was given Trimethadione which he doesnt take, and its for seizures.....

You're right, an anti-depressant alone is not the usual treatment for Bipolar affective. It can actually make it worse as it can augment mania. I would see whoever is in charge of his medication about it.. a mood stabilizer *might* be a more appropriate course of action, however not knowing your exact circumstances I wouldn't say it could definitely help.
You mentioned Trimethadione.. it is surprising that was the first drug they considered to treat your son.. more commonly Depakote (semi-sodium valproate) is prescribed as a first resort. Depakote is also used to treat epilepsy, it isn't uncommon for anticonvulsants to be given first off before considering a 'true' mood stabilizer like Lithium, which has many more side-effects.
Don't be afraid to ask questions from your doctor, or mental health professionals, that's what they're there for!
Hope this helped.

[newsandi]

Thanks you for all your input. I went and seen my son yesterday and he went off, crazy and took the phone that he has to use between the glass and slammed it down on the table and broke it. A officer came up and told him to calm down and my son was able to piece the phone together to make it look like it wasnt broke. Not sure if they will add a charge to him. He is refusing to take his meds because he told me he wants all 3 of them and they will not give him adderall. I dont agree with this, but I spent all day yesterday talking to the adminstrator and the nurses but I cant get anywhere. I know that in the 15 minute that we were talking he went from serverly angry, too crying to telling me he was going to be a doctor, going into the service to "I will beat everyone up in this place because I am a black belt in Karate". I just dont know. I sure feel so sorry for his head being all over the place and I am so afraid for his future. He is thinking he will get out Tuesday and I dont know if he will. I am going to go see him tomorrow and hopefully he doesnt freak out. He only freaks out like that to me.
My question to you guys are, Should I tell him that they might not release him Tuesday and take the chance of him going off again or should I just not say anything and hope for the best...........................

[historyteach]

I understand he has some disabilities, but, how old is he?
The judge has determined that he is not competent to stand trial. He must have a lawyer, right? Let the lawyer talk to him, if he only goes off on you. You don't need the heartache, and he doesn't need the added stress.
I wish you only the best.
He remains in my prayers...

Have you called the mental health advocate for prisoners yet? I urge you to, if you have not yet done so...


Shalom!

[GailJ]

Being taken off his meds suddenly or refusing to take them may be making his thought patterns much more unstable. My ex is rapid cycling with manic episodes and what you describe sounds a lot like my ex when he would go off his meds. It takes time for anyone to adjust to mood altering drugs in the first place, regardless of any other learning disabilities. Keep on reserching, there is a lot of info online on bipolar and the effects of the drugs. Medline if I remember has so really good info on understanding better how mental disorders affect a person and how the drugs react as well. I'm not bipolar but my ex, my oldest son, one of my best girlfriends here where I live and many of my online friends are. I learned a lot about bipolar during my marriage, I had to.....

I feel for you trully, remember to take care of your own mental health, anxiety and stress levels too. Your being healthy will help both you and your son tremendously.

[shutterbug]

Newsandi......how are things with your son right now?

[kelsh]

Hi Newsandi,

My heart aches for you. Your son must be feeling mass confusion without all of his meds...even one day without meds could affect his mood.

I have a daughter that is 30 now and is married. She has diabetes & had learning disabilities in school. She was on an IEP until 9th grade and then they decided to mainstream her ...a total failure...she was diagnosed with depression and PTSD from childhood sexual abuse by her father.

I could not get the school to work with me...they wouldn't even let her have a morning snack or go to the restroom when she needed to....total ignorance of the diabetes.

I requested a meeting with the teachers, principal, school counselor, & the school psychologist helped me with it. He had tested her...in first & second grade..proving the learning disabilities.

I took a letter from her doctor, her diabetes specialist, & her dietician but that didn't make any difference how they treated her.

When she was 15 she tried to cut her wrists and the Sheriffs Office brought her in to Mental Health for an evaluation...I worked as a counselor there...(with the Elderly in their homes for depression, grief, behavior problems, and alcohol issues).

A co-worker called me in my office and told me what had happened and that she was okay physically...she didn't even see me in the parking lot when they drove up....the sheriff led her in and she was holding her little arms out with the blood running down. It was so sad for me.

She was admitted that night to a teenage mental health unit out of state. My husband and I took her....it was in Idaho and we live in Washington state.

We got to talk with her on the phone in the evening and during the day they would call me with conference calls so we would all be on the same page.

She was gone a month and did very well. We went to see her every weekend and got to take her out on Saturday afternoons.

When she came back there were three weeks of school left...the school had sent her homework and so everything was caught up to that time....but one teacher was rude to her....wouldn't let her play on the softball team because she missed two practices...She came home in tears and I said...that is it...that teacher had no business talking to her the way she did so I let my daughter make the decision whether or not to go back to school....she was going to fail everything anyway because they wouldn't count her work at the hospital or her gym stuff in place of P/E.

I had another meeting with the school and teachers to be sure it was accurate that she would fail that year of school and it was....each teacher said "I do have to fail her because my class is based on participation in class".....they were like robuts....I could have sued them but decided it would be too much for my daughter to go through.

We had the rest of the summer to make a plan and we discussed just what would work for her.

She wanted to go to school in the next town and that is where I worked so transportation would be no problem. I met with the school superintendent & it happened he knew my daughter already because he was involved with the community musicals and my daughter was in them too.

He had to meet with his school board but thought it would be no problem...she was accepted and excelled. I went to the first IEP Meeting and all of the teachers were there and we did the IEP right there then and now.

She graduated with her class the year she was supposed to and I was one proud mom when she walked to the stage at Graduation.

There is so much to say and this is too long...but I was advised to apply for SSI for her the year she was a senior and just word it as if she were writing it and not give up when appeals would be turned down.

I just kept sending them in...I had a good lawyer that got 30% if she won...and he was very helpful.

She got SSI then moved out on her own the summer after she graduated. Her child support stopped the last day she went to school because she was 19 by then. I started having her make her own doctor's appointments & the other ones she needed for her diabetes when she was 16, she learned how to drive and got her license when she was 18....it just all gets better from there.

I hope and pray something works out for you and your son....the programs they are offering him are very good and being on SSI is good. My daughter went to Mental Health groups, learned how to manage a budget, cook, & lots of other things in Day Treatment that enabled her to be on her own. She also had a casemanager through her last two years of high school....it all was good and she is a beautiful daughter that had a rough time growing up.

retiredmom_oldwoman

[newsandi]

Hi guys, Thanks for asking about my son. I posted bail for him and he was released last Tuesday. He was ok for the first couple days but then he started acting extremely strange. He was talking about 20 different things but none of it made since. He wasnt sleeping or showering and from being his mother, I knew something wasn't right. I called UC Hospital, and they had a couple case workers come out and talk to him and suggested he go to the hospital. They had a police officer come and take him and that is where he is at this moment. I talked to the pdoc a couple times last nite and they are keeping him. I will find out today if he will stay at this hospital or another one. It depends on if they have a available bed. I dont know much about bp but I am wondering if he is having a mania stage...... He has never experienced anything like this before.
Kelsh, I am glad that your daughter is managing her life that well. My biggest fear is that he will be dependent on me forever. I am going to get every type of resource and support to get him on the right track.
Shutterbug, I spent last nite reading your journal to get some knowledge on bp. I hope everything works out for you. The ECT treatments that you had, if you feel up to it, can you let me know what they are and what they do.......
Waiting by the phone to hear about my son....
I will let you all know what happens.

[reader]

Hi Sandi, Before I was treated for BP I would not sleep for a couple of nights and had unbelievable energy. The lows afterward were so sad I was often catatonic. I was misdiagnosed with just basic depression for many years. Once he gets on a good mix of meds. that are good for him, he should be back in a good place. I will say a prayer for u both, Take care of yourself too, I imagine the stress of this is taking a major toal on u. He sounds like he is in the best place to get him taken care of....

[historyteach]

Prayers for the both of you...
Take care of yourself. This stress will eat you alive if you don't.

Shalom!

[newsandi]

I just got off the phone with the nurse at the hospital and they are moving him to his room. She states that he is still talking really fast and is shadow boxing. He cant sit still. I am assuming he is going thru a mania stage. When a person is going thru this, is it normal for them to not make any sense when they talk. He was talking about things that I could not comprehend and contradicting himself in the same sentences. I am trying to learn as much about this condition so that I will be prepared to help him and also to explain it to him. Thanks to everyone here. I know that I can learn alot from people that live with this.
Sandi

[grateful2b]

Sandi, I am sooo glad they are keeping him. Thank God, Now hopefully he will get some real good help.......Hugs

[grateful2b]

Forgot to say, you sound great....glad you are back here posting

[newsandi]

Thanks..... You are a kind soul. I am just taking it day by day and hopefully the meds start to kick in and he starts to feel better. Right now, he just thinks that we disowned him and that we dont care. I am happy that he is there and once and for all, maybe he can get the proper care that he so much needs. I will keep you inform. I am trying to learn as much as I can about this terrible illness that so many people struggle with. My heart goes out to everyone.

[shutterbug]

ECT stands for Electro Convulsive Therapy (or Shock Therapy). Basically what they do is they connect an IV to me and then roll me into the OR where they stick 4 electrodes onto my forehead. Then they put muscle relaxers into my IV and then introduce the meds that make me go to sleep for about an hour....and they put oxygen over my mouth and nose for me to breath while I fall asleep. Once I'm asleep....that's when they begin the shock treatment. The shocks cause me to have seizures, but I barely move at all because of the muscle relaxers put into my IV before hand.

I've had 12 ECTs total done, but the first 6 were done 2 weeks seperate from the others because my ECT doctor went on vacation. It takes 6-8 consecutive treatments to see any benefits....and the downfall is short-term memory loss (that I've experienced quite a bit of...today was my first day back to work in 6 weeks and I had a hard time remembering all kinds of things that I should have remembered).

But it has done wonders for my depression and the short-term memory loss is worth it.

Do you have any specific questions?

[Jane63]

{{Sandi}} Try not to worry so much about what your son is thinking at the moment because once they get him stabalized you can "show" him that you have not disowned him. I doubt if there is anything you can do at the moment, and until he is stabalized, to make him understand or grasp anything "concrete". {hope that makes sense}

He is in the best place and I am glad they are keeping him till he gets over this manic phase...which is really what it sounds like to me, coupled with being off his meds also.

How are you holding up hun? Did you ever talk to your own DR about trying an anti-D. for yourself? I am sure you are under alot of stress right now so please take good care of youself...get your rest, eat, and try to focus that you are doing the best you can.
PM me anytime! Keeping you and your son in my thoughts and prayers!
{{HUGS}}
Jane

[newsandi]

My son is still not doing very well. I talked to the nurse this morning and he is still walking thru the halls and talking to any and everyone and they had to put him back in a area where they can watch him more carefully. I asked if they could actually evaulate him and determine exactly what is going on and what he really is diagnose with because I sometimes wonder really if anyone really knows. I know from what they are telling me and from my research that it is a mania stage that he is experiencing but am wondering if he has actually had one before but not to the extreme that he has gotten too. I asked the nurse how long does it normally takes to get stabilized and thru the mania and she said it could take a week to 2-4 weeks.
Can anyone share their experience with being in a mania stage and their experience with it and how long it took them to overcome. Will my son remember what he went thru and why.... I need someone that can relate to what he is going thru and how mania come on and does this happen over and over or a couple times a year. I am just in need for what this is all about. I am sorry if I sound confused but I am. Thanks to all that respond and all that have already supported me.

[grateful2b]

Originally Posted by newsandi

My son is still not doing very well. I talked to the nurse this morning and he is still walking thru the halls and talking to any and everyone and they had to put him back in a area where they can watch him more carefully. I asked if they could actually evaulate him and determine exactly what is going on and what he really is diagnose with because I sometimes wonder really if anyone really knows. I know from what they are telling me and from my research that it is a mania stage that he is experiencing but am wondering if he has actually had one before but not to the extreme that he has gotten too. I asked the nurse how long does it normally takes to get stabilized and thru the mania and she said it could take a week to 2-4 weeks.
Can anyone share their experience with being in a mania stage and their experience with it and how long it took them to overcome. Will my son remember what he went thru and why.... I need someone that can relate to what he is going thru and how mania come on and does this happen over and over or a couple times a year. I am just in need for what this is all about. I am sorry if I sound confused but I am. Thanks to all that respond and all that have already supported me.

I don't have answers to these questions, hon, but I can relate to your fear that maybe they will not find out what is wrong with him. I thank God that he is safe, and that they will eventually diagnose and treat him.
When my daughter was fighting for her life with two cancers, I had to put my trust in the docters even tho I was terrified for her life, and didn't know what the outcome. The not knowing for so long was a killer. I hope you get the information you need that will make you feel a little more in control, you are a wonderful advocate for your son, Sandi, hugs, and prayers for you and your son,
grateful

[shutterbug]

Newsandi.....everytime I read your name, I read it as "News-andi" I guess it just comes from the fact that I work in media so my brain tunes into the "News" part first.

Anyway....I don't know that I can be of any help or assistance to you really. I am bipolar, but my main problems are with depression episodes. I go into mania, but not full-blown mania though. I only experience what is known as hypo-mania and the best way I can describe to you what that is like is.....like a kid turned loose at a state fair or a carnival or something. It's just a whole heck of a lot of fun and I can spend a lot of money in a hurry....full-blown mania is more serious in that a person can clean out their whole checking account in a brief period of time....and could do so by buying a whole bunch of nothing important or necessary.

A person experiencing full-blown mania is less able to make good, sound decisions and you will notice that they will sleep A LOT LESS.

Being in-patient at a mental hospital isn't always as bad as it seems. I just got out of the hospital myself Friday and I was locked up for more than 2 weeks while I underwent my ECT treatments (which I was getting done every Monday, Wednesday and Friday). I mean, don't get me wrong....there are definete downfalls to being locked up, but the one thing that I REALLY, REALLY like a LOT about it is that I don't have to worry about ANYTHING while I'm in the hospital! I love that I get 3 meals provided for me everyday and that I never have to worry about running out of my meds and that I never have to wash towels or bed linens or anything like that. AND it really is nice to have 10-20 other people like myself to hang out with all the time and watch movies with and eat meals with and stuff.

Try not to worry so much. Maybe try asking your son if there's anything you can do for him or bring him or anything.

GIANT HUGS,
Jenna

[Jane63]

{{Sandi}} Hope you are hanging in there G/F!!
Is he in the "main" part of the hospital or in the mental facilities part? I would think that would make a big difference in the type of care he is receiving, but I am not an expert of course.
IMO, I would be leary of the type of care he is getting if he is in just the main part of the hospital. At least in the mental facility they are more knowledgable about such things and deal with them on a daily basis.
{{HUGS}}
Jane