My hubby and I spent the nite out of town Saturday, my 17 year old was to be picked up by his Dad for the nite. We came home this afternoon to find my entire home had been tossed, we had been robbed. Apparently my kid blew off his Dad, invited a few "friends" over and it escalated. They stole computers, cameras, jewlery, designer clothing, drank anything they could and my son stated that it got out of hand. We called the police who took prints and interviewed neighbors who heard nothing.
My son refused to provide any names to help out and the police were really kind of help. After the CSI left and we were cleaning up the mess, my son went in to take a bath. He admitted to drinking and smoking pot and expressed a lot of remorse. I told him that I loved him but that he put our family in a lot of jeopardy. Anyway, he called out to me from the bathroom. I knocked and entered. He is usually very shy but he had a knife, a pair of scissors and a pen and had written on his chest some obsenities. I took away the sharp stuff, assessed him physically and he stated he had taken a bottle of Aleve and was feeling sick. Also stated he wanted to cut himself but the knife was not sharp enough and showed me some scratches on his forearm.
I called 911 and the EMT's arrived, his BP was way up, his BS was low, less then 60, he was started on IV NS and taken to our local ER. They tried a charcoal lavage and he is at this time very lethargic and still medically unstable to be moved to a Psych hold for a 5150. It's almost midnight and I am numb. His Dad has not returned any of my calls and I am sure I will be a wreck in the morning. The ER doc was a complete jerk who treated me like I was a felon and I wanted to punch him. I love my child, he is the only kid I will ever have and I want to do what is right for him but I cannot touch this pain he is having.
What an awful experience. To have this ability at our fingertips, to touch and heal a stranger and when our family members fall apart we are helpless. I wish I could cry. I wish I could rage against someone or something. I feel bewildered and helpless. I feel sorry for this young man who's smile can brighten any dreary day, who get's my jokes, who inspires me to be the best I can be. This kid who did such an abominal act that I have no understanding of. I guess I am angry that he would waste his life, but am not sure where to place my anger. He was not medically stable enough to be transferred to a psych unit when we left but they promised to place him in an observation unit and monitor his 02 sats.
I am quite sure this post will be eliminated (go on with the projected anger Haunted) but this is my resource right now and I am reaching out to my peers in compassion. I thank you for letting me vent.
I don't mean to prey but since my son went through alot with wrong meds and diagnosis's I am going to ask what is his diagnosis? Why is he on the risperdal if there is not any indication of bipolar or a mood disorder unless he was having hallucinations. If he has a diagnosis of bipolar effaxor or any another antidepressant could make him quite unstable as it did for my son. What did the eval show? What is his diagnosis? Also since this involved substances prior to his attempt what is being done for a substance abuse evaluation and possible treatment regarding this. I wish you well.h
I will add my own well wishes and concern RE: diagnosis and medication. Since my stepson is and was at the time legally an adult, we didn't have as much control as we would have liked. But the meds he was on when he came home (Cogentin was one of them) left him shaky, edgy, and out of it. We will always worry about him, but right now he seems to be doing well. If you want to chat, PM me and I can tell you more.
Meanwhile, rest assured you're doing the right things and that many, many of us are praying for your family.
I don't mean to prey but since my son went through alot with wrong meds and diagnosis's I am going to ask what is his diagnosis? Why is he on the risperdal if there is not any indication of bipolar or a mood disorder unless he was having hallucinations. If he has a diagnosis of bipolar effaxor or any another antidepressant could make him quite unstable as it did for my son. What did the eval show? What is his diagnosis? Also since this involved substances prior to his attempt what is being done for a substance abuse evaluation and possible treatment regarding this. I wish you well.h
The rationale for the effexor is that he was diagnosed with Major Depression. We discussed his medication rationale and I think he understands that he has a DISEASE, same as someone with diabetes, cancer etc. and that the medications and therapy can manage his symptoms, not cure him. In time he may "grow out" of his depression, however he will most likely be predisposed as an adult to succumbing and needs to be aware of the signs and symptoms.
The Risperdol was prescribed as an ajunct to his diagnosis of "ODD" and his statements of wanting to be a "serial killer" and desire to "hurt people". He continues to carry some feelings of persucution and is not expressing remorse or express insight into the situation that lead him to this point. He continues to respect his restrictions and overall appears to have a brighter, more approachable affect, although he is currently in bed with a stomach virus. He goes back to school tomorrow and we are taking it day by day.
They took him off of cogentin, I was LIVID when I found out the resident had given that to him, he was a ZOMBIE for 2 days and missed out on therapy, he looked awful. All because he had complained of a head ache and muscle stiffness!!! Give a depressed, suicidal drug abuser a DEPRESSANT!!! Brilliant move. Overall I was very happy with the care he recieved at this facility. Very clean, safe, bright and excellent continuity of care. He had the same nurses most every evening. I wrote a wonderful survey response upon discharge. Hopefully I can also go back to work this week!!!!! Thanks for all your input and prayers, I hope this never, ever happens to you or anyone you love. Words cannot express how devastating it truly is to see your child decline in such a way.
I know its been awhile since you posted this but I just had to reply. About 2 years ago I was diagnosed with major depression. I was a freshman at a university 2 hours from home so my mom didnt know what was going on in my everyday life. She eventually found out I was suicidal when my roommates called her because I was drinking to blacking out and hurting myself and they didnt know what to do anymore.
I never thought I would feel "normal" again but the one thing that made me realize I wanted to live is the love my mom showed me. She was always a good mother but I never thought she really cared until I saw how scared she was to lose me. It was the hardest thing in my life to come out of that depression but I havent felt the need to hurt myself in a long time and I have the best relationship with my mom now.
My point is...keep telling your sons the things you told us in your first post. Tell him how proud you are of him for the things he might not consider important, tell him how he makes your day brighter. Thats what he needs to hear now more than anything.
RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN
8,498 Posts
My thoughts and prayers are with your son and family.