flutterby
Fly away!
difficult child 2 has been diagnosis'd with Bipolar II and ADHD. In my mind, the ADHD is in question because I don't think he's properly medicated - although he is better on his medications than without; just still not stable. His medications are Symbyax (sp?), trazadone for sleep, propranolol for tremors, and Adderall (the Adderall is as of today..he was taking Vyvanse but it was too much. It would keep him up all night if he took it too late, like noon. Although it did seem to help keep him calm).
Anyway....
As is typical with BiPolar (BP) II, difficult child 2 has *a lot* of anger. Just about anything can set him off, some triggers more than others and we are aware of what those are. However, he is really, really trying to control his anger. He told me yesterday that he doesn't want to live that way anymore.
But, when one of the big triggers set him off, I feel so helpless. It seems that I can keep him calm - or calmer - than can his mom. Typical kid thing. My daughter does much better with his mom than me. You know how it goes. (We've talked about trading kids and when they quit honeymooning, trad back. ) I am trying to help him de-escalate during these situations and also talk to him about why he reacts that way, trying to help him find some insight; as well as talking about how his actions/behaviors effect him, as well as others. It seems he has physical reactions to these triggers - complains of chest pain, neck pain and intense headache - when it happens. When it gets to that point, about all I can do is to keep him from yelling. But he's still pacing like a bull, Know what I mean??
Anyone have any tips? My daughter gets set off, but it's not near as extreme and she doesn't shoot herself in the foot so much with it. Like the time difficult child 2 got mad and threw his medications into the yard because he wasn't taking them anymore to spite his mom - his target that night. Cutting off his nose to spite his face.
He does actually hear our words. He has to process it and within a couple of days, he's ready to talk about it and work toward it. He is making progress. Very tiny baby steps. But, progress nonetheless.
But, the anger sets off the impulsivity and the self-destructive behavior. He's way more a danger to himself than to others.
He had been here since Monday night. Went home tonight (Friday night) and is coming back for the weekend. To use Cookie's words, he's a child born in my heart. But, I'm always so exhausted by the end of the day.
He has the most beautiful heart. I'm seeing the person that I know he is. I haven't seen that in a long time and was afraid I wouldn't ever again. I want to do everything I can, along with his mom, to help him be the person I know he is.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
TIA.
Anyway....
As is typical with BiPolar (BP) II, difficult child 2 has *a lot* of anger. Just about anything can set him off, some triggers more than others and we are aware of what those are. However, he is really, really trying to control his anger. He told me yesterday that he doesn't want to live that way anymore.
But, when one of the big triggers set him off, I feel so helpless. It seems that I can keep him calm - or calmer - than can his mom. Typical kid thing. My daughter does much better with his mom than me. You know how it goes. (We've talked about trading kids and when they quit honeymooning, trad back. ) I am trying to help him de-escalate during these situations and also talk to him about why he reacts that way, trying to help him find some insight; as well as talking about how his actions/behaviors effect him, as well as others. It seems he has physical reactions to these triggers - complains of chest pain, neck pain and intense headache - when it happens. When it gets to that point, about all I can do is to keep him from yelling. But he's still pacing like a bull, Know what I mean??
Anyone have any tips? My daughter gets set off, but it's not near as extreme and she doesn't shoot herself in the foot so much with it. Like the time difficult child 2 got mad and threw his medications into the yard because he wasn't taking them anymore to spite his mom - his target that night. Cutting off his nose to spite his face.
He does actually hear our words. He has to process it and within a couple of days, he's ready to talk about it and work toward it. He is making progress. Very tiny baby steps. But, progress nonetheless.
But, the anger sets off the impulsivity and the self-destructive behavior. He's way more a danger to himself than to others.
He had been here since Monday night. Went home tonight (Friday night) and is coming back for the weekend. To use Cookie's words, he's a child born in my heart. But, I'm always so exhausted by the end of the day.
He has the most beautiful heart. I'm seeing the person that I know he is. I haven't seen that in a long time and was afraid I wouldn't ever again. I want to do everything I can, along with his mom, to help him be the person I know he is.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
TIA.