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| Topic: Hospitalizin' Your Child For Mental Illness | |
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I'd like to hear from parents that have had to hospitalize their children at inpatient facilities for mental illness issues. I'd like to hear good an bad experiences.
I recently had to admit my 10 yr old into a facility an would like to hear some first hand experiences. 
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All I know is good luck with the Insurance. I know the typical Medical Insurance policy usually has very limited mental health coverage.
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My parents did alot of psycho stuff with me when I was entering adolescence. I was "committed" to a couple of 30 day evaluations.
It all depends on the care provider. to parents I'd say... look around before deciding- mabey a vacation is what is needed. dude ranch, outward bound, anyone? |
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I'd like to hear from parents that have had to hospitalize their children at inpatient facilities for mental illness issues. I'd like to hear good an bad experiences. I recently had to admit my 10 yr old into a facility an would like to hear some first hand experiences. I sadly had to do this with one of my kids, and I would not ever suggest this as an alternative. My child came out of there in worse shape than when they were admitted. I found that the Dr. was just throwing out diagnois' without even taking the time to speak with me about the issues at hand. He then began medicating my child for Bipolar disorder. He kept my child there for 9 miserable days, this is unheard of in the state of Texas. Not only that, but my child was cutting themself and had no problems self mutilating while there at the hospital(keeping my child that long was a way to over charge our insurance). I was and still am very familiar with Bipolar disorder and this clearly was not the case with my child. We now know my child was severly depressed and suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. I had no idea about this disorder being a possibility. I have to say that we now have control over the situation and have my child in intensive therapy once a week and I am elated at the progress being made, my child has not cut one time in almost a year. So with all that said, if you can help it please never go that route, try the therapy once a week if you can. |
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I'd like to hear from parents that have had to hospitalize their children at inpatient facilities for mental illness issues. I'd like to hear good an bad experiences. I recently had to admit my 10 yr old into a facility an would like to hear some first hand experiences. I sadly had to do this with one of my kids, and I would not ever suggest this as an alternative. My child came out of there in worse shape than when they were admitted. I found that the Dr. was just throwing out diagnois' without even taking the time to speak with me about the issues at hand. He then began medicating my child for Bipolar disorder. He kept my child there for 9 miserable days, this is unheard of in the state of Texas. Not only that, but my child was cutting themself and had no problems self mutilating while there at the hospital(keeping my child that long was a way to over charge our insurance). I was and still am very familiar with Bipolar disorder and this clearly was not the case with my child. We now know my child was severly depressed and suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. I had no idea about this disorder being a possibility. I have to say that we now have control over the situation and have my child in intensive therapy once a week and I am elated at the progress being made, my child has not cut one time in almost a year. So with all that said, if you can help it please never go that route, try the therapy once a week if you can. My child has been seen thru the local mental health facility here which is outpatient since he was 5. He was originally diagnosed with ADHD/ODD. I have been screamin at them for the last 2 yrs that his behavior has gotten progressively worse. Nuthin has been done but to keep givin him meds. He hasn't seen a therapist for an individual session since March. The turnover rate for therapists at this facility is very high. He attends a day treatment program which is a group that meets for 2 hours a day. He hates it an it's a battle everyday to get him to attend. I've asked him several times what they do at day treatment an he says they watch videos or do work sheets. This is not what I want my child doin. I feel as if this facility has failed my child. I felt that I had no choice but to place him in inpatient treatment after tryin to set a fire in the house an then tryin again the very same day to set one outside. I'm prayin that the drs an therapists there will be able to help him. I'm findin that gettin proper Mental Health issues resolved is a toss up game. This faiclity that he is in comes highly recommended an it's not all about the meds there. Which is exactly what I want for my son. |
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I'd like to hear from parents that have had to hospitalize their children at inpatient facilities for mental illness issues. I'd like to hear good an bad experiences. I recently had to admit my 10 yr old into a facility an would like to hear some first hand experiences. I sadly had to do this with one of my kids, and I would not ever suggest this as an alternative. My child came out of there in worse shape than when they were admitted. I found that the Dr. was just throwing out diagnois' without even taking the time to speak with me about the issues at hand. He then began medicating my child for Bipolar disorder. He kept my child there for 9 miserable days, this is unheard of in the state of Texas. Not only that, but my child was cutting themself and had no problems self mutilating while there at the hospital(keeping my child that long was a way to over charge our insurance). I was and still am very familiar with Bipolar disorder and this clearly was not the case with my child. We now know my child was severly depressed and suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. I had no idea about this disorder being a possibility. I have to say that we now have control over the situation and have my child in intensive therapy once a week and I am elated at the progress being made, my child has not cut one time in almost a year. So with all that said, if you can help it please never go that route, try the therapy once a week if you can. My child has been seen thru the local mental health facility here which is outpatient since he was 5. He was originally diagnosed with ADHD/ODD. I have been screamin at them for the last 2 yrs that his behavior has gotten progressively worse. Nuthin has been done but to keep givin him meds. He hasn't seen a therapist for an individual session since March. The turnover rate for therapists at this facility is very high. He attends a day treatment program which is a group that meets for 2 hours a day. He hates it an it's a battle everyday to get him to attend. I've asked him several times what they do at day treatment an he says they watch videos or do work sheets. This is not what I want my child doin. I feel as if this facility has failed my child. I felt that I had no choice but to place him in inpatient treatment after tryin to set a fire in the house an then tryin again the very same day to set one outside. I'm prayin that the drs an therapists there will be able to help him. I'm findin that gettin proper Mental Health issues resolved is a toss up game. This faiclity that he is in comes highly recommended an it's not all about the meds there. Which is exactly what I want for my son. |
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My daughter was put in Children's Hospital in Seattle twice, once when 11, for an attempted overdose, spent 4 weeks; again almost exactly a year later, at 12 y/o, for a faked overdose, spent another 4 weeks. Then went into a group home (was violent with me, came after me with a butcher knife, etc.) and was drinking/drugging and on a "self destruct" course, so I put her in a really good alcohol/drug treatment center for 30 days (she was 13 then). The hospital did not put her on drugs, used therapy and tried to change her behavior through counseling. They monitored her phone calls and the kid was so good she could cuss me out over the phone with a smile on her face and the counselor monitoring sitting across the office didn't catch on.
 She learned quite a bit through the hospitalizations, learned compassion for other people and their problems, didn't really resolve her issues. She was diagnosed as "borderline personality" disorder. Counseling wouldn't work for her, she would refuse to go and refuse to participate once there if I managed to get her there. The group home actually helped her quite a bit and the treatment center was really good. The insurance issues are true, only paid $4,000 for mental health issues, $5,000 for chemical dependency coverage. I ended up going through bankruptcy eventually. He is young and hopefully they can get through to him. My daughter out grew her issues when she hit her early 20s, but what a "nightmare of a roller coaster ride." I wish you luck. Stay in contact with the counselors and keep up the visitation so he doesn't feel abandoned, etc. Take care. |
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Having to place your child in someone elses hands to help is one of the hardest things a parent can do. Just keep remembering that your a good parent and doing what you feel is right.
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i was also in and out of boys ranches and group homes and saw alot of counslors and in time you do learn from the care compassion and other helpful tools, but also keep in mind the child has to want the help and not just shut down
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i was also in and out of boys ranches and group homes and saw alot of counslors and in time you do learn from the care compassion and other helpful tools, but also keep in mind the child has to want the help and not just shut down That is true, my daughter fought it. But I do think it also saved her life as she was on self-destruct, drinking and drugging herself into oblivion, climbing into cars with total strangers who were much older than her. I do believe she got some good out of it. Her dad was a violent alcoholic and I think some of her acting out was trying to get some attention from him, he made promises, but never followed through, and he only hurt her. She had a lot of rage in her. I believe any help is better than none. Glad you got some good out of what you went through. |
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i was also in and out of boys ranches and group homes and saw alot of counslors and in time you do learn from the care compassion and other helpful tools, but also keep in mind the child has to want the help and not just shut down That is true, my daughter fought it. But I do think it also saved her life as she was on self-destruct, drinking and drugging herself into oblivion, climbing into cars with total strangers who were much older than her. I do believe she got some good out of it. Her dad was a violent alcoholic and I think some of her acting out was trying to get some attention from him, he made promises, but never followed through, and he only hurt her. She had a lot of rage in her. I believe any help is better than none. Glad you got some good out of what you went through. |
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I'd like to hear from parents that have had to hospitalize their children at inpatient facilities for mental illness issues. I'd like to hear good an bad experiences. I recently had to admit my 10 yr old into a facility an would like to hear some first hand experiences. Sounds elementary, but in dealin' w/ my 11 year old daughter's hormones and abandonment(etc!!!) issues, I find extreme exercise THE best remedy. Run 'em until they drop kinda thang. Mine has also had consistent counselling for 5 years and is just NOW beginning to get open and real w/ her therapist. Sounds as though we've lots in common Redd ... feel free to email me ...    ... Hang tough; I KNOW you ARE! As if we have a choice, yeah??? ... 
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I'd like to hear from parents that have had to hospitalize their children at inpatient facilities for mental illness issues. I'd like to hear good an bad experiences. I recently had to admit my 10 yr old into a facility an would like to hear some first hand experiences. My child has been seen thru the local mental health facility here which is outpatient since he was 5. He was originally diagnosed with ADHD/ODD. I have been screamin at them for the last 2 yrs that his behavior has gotten progressively worse. Nuthin has been done but to keep givin him meds. He hasn't seen a therapist for an individual session since March. The turnover rate for therapists at this facility is very high. He attends a day treatment program which is a group that meets for 2 hours a day. He hates it an it's a battle everyday to get him to attend. I've asked him several times what they do at day treatment an he says they watch videos or do work sheets. This is not what I want my child doin. I feel as if this facility has failed my child. I felt that I had no choice but to place him in inpatient treatment after tryin to set a fire in the house an then tryin again the very same day to set one outside. I'm prayin that the drs an therapists there will be able to help him. I'm findin that gettin proper Mental Health issues resolved is a toss up game. This faiclity that he is in comes highly recommended an it's not all about the meds there. Which is exactly what I want for my son. I used to work as a Certified Psychiatric Nurse, with specializations and certifications in Children and Adolescent. I worked in outpatient, inpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. I served as a floor nurse, a unit manager and a Director of Children and Adolescent Services. I tell you this so I can say the following; which is my personal opinion now, as I am no longer working in this field, so this is not a professional opinion and is not a substitute for a professional opinion. First and foremost: YOU are the expert on your child. YOU need to be involved at every step. YOU need to approve treatments, either medication, medical tests, and/or groups. YOU are the most important team member on your child's treatment team. Inpatient hospitalization should be the last resort for your child, and primarily used as a time to adjust medication if your child is on medication, IMO. However, your child's safety and the safety of others is a medical emergency. If your child is engaging in dangerous activity, such as fire setting, then it could very well be a medical emergency for him. If you have not looked up and joined CHADD, then please do so, they have wonderful resources. They can help you get a life coach for your child as well. If you have not filed for an IEP through your child's school system, please do so. Structure, structure, structure... Reward GOOD behavior...reinforce GOOD behavior... Do not use a behavior plan that is monetary based, use one that is written with the child. I have been involved in 100's++ of them, they can be the best thing or the worst thing. It is very important to establish the boundaries for the child. ADD/ADHD, whether you believe in the diagnosis or not, is a condition that makes impulse control difficult for many children...medication, if given, needs to be consistent for a child, not a few days a week...structure structure structure... ODD...I always believed that a child was so frustrated that he/she did not have the ability to think clearly...that they were so sick and tired of feeling out of control...that the frustration came out as ODD... I would also have my child tested by a Certified Sleep Physician. There is a lot of evidence that children who have a sleep issue can manifest that issue as an attention problem, which makes physiological sense. I can tell you many great stories, many positive results...the inpatient unit is generally very structured and the staff is generally well trained and they love what they do...talk to the staff, call the staff and ask about your child. The staff should be willing to talk to you. however, as I always told the parents of the children that I had the honor of keeping safe...YOU are the most important person in the care of your child and YOU must be involved in every part of his care. It is not fair to the child to send them home without the parent understanding the treatment the child has gotten (not just medications)... I hope this has been somewhat helpful. Please feel free to contact me if you like. This has always been and will always be a passion of mine. Good Luck with your child. It is very difficult. |
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here is the link for CHADD http://chadd.org/ here is a link for an IEP http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/learning/iep.html |
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I'd like to hear from parents that have had to hospitalize their children at inpatient facilities for mental illness issues. I'd like to hear good an bad experiences. I recently had to admit my 10 yr old into a facility an would like to hear some first hand experiences. My child has been seen thru the local mental health facility here which is outpatient since he was 5. He was originally diagnosed with ADHD/ODD. I have been screamin at them for the last 2 yrs that his behavior has gotten progressively worse. Nuthin has been done but to keep givin him meds. He hasn't seen a therapist for an individual session since March. The turnover rate for therapists at this facility is very high. He attends a day treatment program which is a group that meets for 2 hours a day. He hates it an it's a battle everyday to get him to attend. I've asked him several times what they do at day treatment an he says they watch videos or do work sheets. This is not what I want my child doin. I feel as if this facility has failed my child. I felt that I had no choice but to place him in inpatient treatment after tryin to set a fire in the house an then tryin again the very same day to set one outside. I'm prayin that the drs an therapists there will be able to help him. I'm findin that gettin proper Mental Health issues resolved is a toss up game. This faiclity that he is in comes highly recommended an it's not all about the meds there. Which is exactly what I want for my son. I used to work as a Certified Psychiatric Nurse, with specializations and certifications in Children and Adolescent. I worked in outpatient, inpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. I served as a floor nurse, a unit manager and a Director of Children and Adolescent Services. I tell you this so I can say the following; which is my personal opinion now, as I am no longer working in this field, so this is not a professional opinion and is not a substitute for a professional opinion. First and foremost: YOU are the expert on your child. YOU need to be involved at every step. YOU need to approve treatments, either medication, medical tests, and/or groups. YOU are the most important team member on your child's treatment team. Inpatient hospitalization should be the last resort for your child, and primarily used as a time to adjust medication if your child is on medication, IMO. However, your child's safety and the safety of others is a medical emergency. If your child is engaging in dangerous activity, such as fire setting, then it could very well be a medical emergency for him. If you have not looked up and joined CHADD, then please do so, they have wonderful resources. They can help you get a life coach for your child as well. If you have not filed for an IEP through your child's school system, please do so. Structure, structure, structure... Reward GOOD behavior...reinforce GOOD behavior... Do not use a behavior plan that is monetary based, use one that is written with the child. I have been involved in 100's++ of them, they can be the best thing or the worst thing. It is very important to establish the boundaries for the child. ADD/ADHD, whether you believe in the diagnosis or not, is a condition that makes impulse control difficult for many children...medication, if given, needs to be consistent for a child, not a few days a week...structure structure structure... ODD...I always believed that a child was so frustrated that he/she did not have the ability to think clearly...that they were so sick and tired of feeling out of control...that the frustration came out as ODD... I would also have my child tested by a Certified Sleep Physician. There is a lot of evidence that children who have a sleep issue can manifest that issue as an attention problem, which makes physiological sense. I can tell you many great stories, many positive results...the inpatient unit is generally very structured and the staff is generally well trained and they love what they do...talk to the staff, call the staff and ask about your child. The staff should be willing to talk to you. however, as I always told the parents of the children that I had the honor of keeping safe...YOU are the most important person in the care of your child and YOU must be involved in every part of his care. It is not fair to the child to send them home without the parent understanding the treatment the child has gotten (not just medications)... I hope this has been somewhat helpful. Please feel free to contact me if you like. This has always been and will always be a passion of mine. Good Luck with your child. It is very difficult. Excellent advice here; all the more relevant given your background and experience ~ thank you Lighthouse!!! ... |
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Along with Lighthouse's suggestions is please make sure your childs vision is checked. There is a link between poor vision and add/adhd.
http://www.visionhelp.com/adhd/ |
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Thanks to all of you for your advice, help an support. This was the most difficult decision I've ever had to make in his life. I've wrestled with it for well over a year. This wasn't a spur of the minute thing for him or I. I'm a member of NAMI, I've attended NAMI instructional classes. And I'm my son's biggest fighter. As some of you may know, I've been lookin at movin from the area that I'm in now an the main reason for it, is to get him better help.
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Along with Lighthouse's suggestions is please make sure your childs vision is checked. There is a link between poor vision and add/adhd. http://www.visionhelp.com/adhd/ Great point!! All medical causes generally need to be ruled out prior to treatment for mental disorders. He probably has had many tests already...yet, the vision, sleep, eating patterns, toileting patterns, hearing...all of these things need to be checked so the child can have the best optimal outcome possible. The treatment team needs to treat the bio, psycho, social, spiritual person...and a child is a person. |
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And I forgot to tell you Reddbeans that you deserve a huge hug for all you do for your son. You rock momma bear.
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And I forgot to tell you Reddbeans that you deserve a huge hug for all you do for your son. You rock momma bear. Thanks Hun. I've made alot of good friends on this site who've really been helpin me get through all of this over the week. I'm a Mama Bear for sure. As I told a friend of mine, I'll fight the hounds of Hades to get my son the help he needs.
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