Hi, my 13 y/o son was diagnosed with Tourette's and OCD when he was 7 y/o. Two years ago he was diagnosed with Chiari 1 malformation; asymptomatic for now. Last year he was diagnosed with Bipolar after being hospitalized for a pychotic episode. And last week he was tested for ADD and scored mild to moderate. He is well medicated (Lithium, Abilify, Orap, Seroquell, Cogentin and now Adderall) and is blessed with a wonderful psychiatrist, pschologist, nuerologist, and therapist. He has so many illnesses and it just breaks my heart. He is a wonderful child, smart, funny and kind. I have done everything in my power to make his life easier but he still struggles daily. I know most children with one mental illness usually have another, but so many for one child just seems so unfair. I guess sometimes I feel alone and would love to have other parents to correspond with that are dealing with the same things I am. Anyone else?

Your poor, sweet child. So many things he has to deal with all at once.

My boy is 17 and has schitzo-effective disorder. Bi-polar with a lovely splash of schitzophrenia.

He was hospitalized a while back. It helped, but he is still very fragile. Up and down goes the yo-yo.

My sone was 12 when he was diagnosed. I remember just bawling and bawling because I knew the statistics. It was heartbreaking. But he will be 18 this next January and it feels like such a huge milestone.

I am here to listen. Just takes me awhile to get on the board sometimes.

Welcome.

Hi
I've been very busy and didn't see this post.

I have three boys two which are now young men with disabilities.

The youngest is 16 now. And has epilepsy, anxiety, had hallucinations
and is mildly handicapped. He has the best disposition.

We deal with what we get and hope to get the best. I am sending you
some hugs, its a rough road.

My oldest went through lots and it was many years till he was diagnosed.

Donna

Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate your responses. I really do try to remain positive but sometimes it is hard. Lately I find myself wondering if he is going to be able to care for himself when he is grown. I have to monitor him daily to make sure he is taking care of himself (personal hygeine). And he is on so many medication and managing all of them is such a huge responsibility and at times a little overwhelming. I can't imagine him managing them himself. His psychologist is now doing cognitive therapy with him to try and help him learn to focus on tasks so he can learn to care for himself. Hopefully it helps. Any advise or tips from you all?

Can you put the pills in a pill box so that at least they are monitored in a routine type way. Thats what we do with Derrick's.

Also try making sure you give him a couple of the routine hygiene things that he is just responsible to do. This way he will make sure they get done.
GIve a reward for each week he remembers to do them. Or maybe each day to start.

Donna