Son to be hospitalized

allnurses Guide · Apr 12, 2003

I don't know what to tell you about the hospitals but I do have a friend whose son was on a myriad of drugs since about 1st grade. His psychiatrist said he was the most depressed and suicidal young boy he had ever seen. I'm not sure of the diagnosis but my friend decided that she needed to take him off his meds (supervised of course).

He was not hospitalized during this but it ended up being a good idea. He was so drugged before that he barely could function. That just didn't seem healthy. He is doing much better now. A really bright kid whose goal is to be very rich . . he reads financial magazines all the time. Gets good grades. Friendly. Just doesn't fit in well with his peer group but seems more content . . . . at least he is not drugged into a stupor.

I'm sorry I don't have any expertise in this area. I hope what your son is about to encounter helps.

memphispanda, RN · Apr 12, 2003

Not a psych nurse, but a mom who can relate.

I had to hospitalize my then 6 year old...at the time his diagnosis was OCD, ADHD, major depression. Later he was reclassified as Asperger's Syndrome.

It was extremely difficult, but turned out to be one of the best choices we have made for him. He was in for 10 days, and while he wasn't close to 100% under control, he was more in control than ever before.

We chose a pediatric psych unit for him. They had children ages 3-12 there, about 6-8 kids. We chose that particular place for several reasons--the main one being the age group (the alternatives would have had him grouped with teens). I also felt more comfortable with their knowledge of psych issues and how to handle med problems he might run into. They also provided a regular classroom setting for school--they went to class for about 4 hours/day while he was there. They had intense group therapy also. He really liked being there.

Best of luck with your decision.

memphispanda, RN · Apr 12, 2003

Oh--I should add too...my son's med list looks an awful lot like yours. He is on tenex, risperdal, celexa, and concerta. I'd like to get him off the risperdal, but every time we try to taper down he gets horrible paranoia, so we put him back up to his regular dose.

Disablednurse · Apr 12, 2003

I don't know anything about this issue, but just wanted you to know that I will have you and your son in my prayers. I hope they are able to get him on something that will help him.

renerian, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2003

I cannot help you either but like disablednurse I wanted you to know I hope he gets better soon. YOu must be under horrible strain.

renerian

Nurse2bSandy · Apr 12, 2003

I'd like to say that I feel better... but actually it is a feeling of very sad dread! But knowing that others have been through it or are at least thinking of and praying for us helps. It is a hard thing and makes me feel like the world's worst mother!

I know that I'm not, but I feel like he will think that we are abandoning him.

I found out since my post that his psych has arranged for him to be in the peds psych hospital... sounds like where your son was... school will happen and other kids will be his age. I am glad for that. I also would like to see him off of the risperdal... it had the best effect on him originally, but I don't know if we see a lot of difference now, although his weight has about doubled!

Thanks for the kind words... he's going in the morning...I'll keep you posted.

Rapheal · Apr 12, 2003

When your children hurt it's like a knife in your heart. I am praying for your son. Let us know his progress. I hope he comes back home soon, and is stronger and happier. Momma, you are putting your son in the hospital to help him. You are a good mother.

susanmary · Apr 12, 2003

Sending my heartfelt thoughts and prayers for you and your son. You are doing what you believe is in your son's best interest ... you know this in your heart. The facility should have a social worker that you can speak with to help you get through this emotionally difficult time. Please know that you are not alone. You are never alone ... and get into a support group if you think that will help you. I'm praying for your family ... have faith -- sometimes in life it is "one step backwards then two steps forward." Take care of yourself. Sue

lucianne · Apr 14, 2003

From my experience in pediatric psych, I think you are doing the right thing in admitting him to start his meds over again. It will be very hard on both of you--he probably will hate being in the hospital and you will feel awful for leaving him there but he needs to be in a safe place while his meds are being changed. He may get really angry with you and accuse you of not loving him. Depending on his level of developmental delay, he may not be able to understand why leaving him in the hospital is not abandonment. If he loses it when you leave him the first time (or any time after a visit), the best thing to do is to make the goodbyes short and sweet and very matter-of-fact. Letting him cling to you and trying to reassure him will only drag things out and make it more difficult. If he's upset, he's not going to hear what you say anyway.

He might actually like the hospital if he's had problems in school and with peers. Sometimes we've had kids who've made their first friends in the hospital because there are other kids there who are like them.

As far as activities, there will probably be a few hours of school every weekday. Our facility also has art therapy, group or play therapy depending on age and ability, individual therapy, family therapy, relaxation, and play time. Since your son is explosive and aggressive, you should ask (if you aren't told) about the facility's restraint and seclusion policies. Ours doesn't use mechanical restraints except in the most extreme cases and usually only with teens. For aggression or out of control behavior, we try medical restraints (prns) first, followed by seclusion with staff in attendance constantly, followed by therapeutic holding if needed for safety of the patient or others.

We allow parents to bring in special pillows or blankets from home and stuffed animals if the child is attached to them, but discourage many toys from home as these are likely to get lost or broken. Our facility doesn't allow any cords or strings longer than 6" (one set of shoes with laces) or battery-operated toys. No balloons due to suffocation risk. Photos of family taped to the wall (no frames) are nice, but be prepared that they might get destroyed in a rage.

That's all I can think of for now, if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

good luck,

luci

Nurse2bSandy · Apr 14, 2003

Luci,

Thanks so much for all the info!

We visited him last night and he seems to be handling it better than we are! His psych doc there does not want to start from scratch on the meds... she feels that it might set his autism off and he will regress too much. He's very social now, thanks to risperdal. She also felt like he needed more buspar, so while she is taking him down and off on some things, she is leaving him on some. He actually seemed to be in a better mood than usual.

We had a fun visit... I had brought marbles and we played without any aggression, which was a first. They have only had one real outburst. I think he thinks that he is at camp!

He does well with structure and they are very structured. While he is gone we have decided to restructure our homelife. So right now, it seems like it has been the best thing for all of us. We needed respite and he is in great hands. The facility is beautiful and yesterday he was pink from swimming. He kissed us goodbye without incident... I cried walking to the car! You see who's having the hardest time!

Thanks for the encouraging words all!

Sandy

renerian, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2003

Sandy I am glad you had a nice visit. My stepdaughter has an eating disorder, social anxiety disorder and a panic disorder. The last six years have been hell. We have to home school her by court order as she has refused to go to school since 1998. She is 18 now and almost done. She is accepted to a college and I am sad to see her leave still messed up. She refused therapy. We tried four different people. After so many years of struggle, I love her but am glad to see her go. It is so stressful when your children have social, physical and mental issues. My heart goes out to you.

renerian