To medicate... or not to medicate?

by Rachel J.
(Everett, WA, USA)

Me and the boy

Me and the boy

I have a 4 year old son with SPD. He has acute sensitivity with audio and proprioceptive intake. His struggles have mainly manifested themselves in the way of: behaviorally (socially, emotionally) which has turned into physically. My son's comfort emotion is aggression and I have recently seen himself getting physical with himself... as well as with me and his siblings.




I am worried.

I have prided myself on diving completely into his world to educate myself and learn as much as I can to help my son. I feel that thanks to many resources and professionals; I am extremely knowledgeable about his needs and circumstances and can provide him with the therapy and strategies to calm him and help him focus in and out of the home (this site has been a huge help...thank you). I have him enrolled in weekly OT as well as a developmental preschool with OT's and psychologists on staff.

I do not know how I feel yet about medicating, but am trying to do some research.

What brought on this train of thought was the fever my son came down with the other day.
It was as if his fever consumed the distressing energy that always surrounds him and causes him to spin out of control. In his state of sickness, he was truly a calmer and happier person.

He was so mellow and relaxed and almost a different child. So agreeable and sweet. I saw the child I know is inside him... but is just constantly bombarded with everything we are numb to... and frustrated and aggressive because of it.

This must all sound so warped, I'm sure. I was just thinking if there was a medicinal option that may bring his attention down a notch, he might really be able to shine without as many distractions (inside and outside of his body).

Any help or websites or medications you might suggest would be awesome.

Thanks, keep up the good work. I will be reading...



Comments for To medicate... or not to medicate?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 11, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Our story....
by: Sara

I wanted to cry when I read your story. I wondered if anyone ever knew the saddness in watching a child they adore become so consumed with anger they would lash out and become aggressive or even violent ( a word that makes my heart ache.)

My son is 4 years old and was very recently diagnosed with SID, Anxiety Disorder, probable ADHD and Distorted Eating Behaviors. It's been a very overwhelming experience and with with many unanswered questions until I found this website....THANK YOU!

As for the medication, my son is taking an anti-depressant. His clinic did not know how it would affect him or how it would impact any of the many frustrations he must cope with everyday. He has now been on Zoloft for 7 weeks and I see that it has helped his anxiety but has not helped the SID symptoms and/or the ADHD.

We are just starting OT and PT treatments but can tell you during this time of physical stimulation my child smiles so big the world smiles with him. From the research I've done and what has been told to me by his team of medical supporters each child with SID is different.

I have a 9 year old daughter and now a 4 year old son that both clearly have SID but their symptoms vary hugely. Both take the same anti-depressant and both continue to show the same symptoms they had before starting the medication. The medication also has it's own side effects which are affecting my son and not my daughter. We are scheduled to see a Psychiatrist next week and will also be faced with... to medicate or not.

I do not want to nor do I want my son to grow up an aggressive, violent man because that's been his reaction to such a devastating disorder.
Thank You to everyone who has written in. I read this website and it brings a sense of comfort to know we are not alone. Until now no one ever knew what we as a family or my son and daughter were going through.
Jan 05, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		lucky you
by: Anonymous

My daughter becomes so demanding, she thinks I have the cure to make her sickness go away. I get fearful if my kid even starts with a sore throat. I realize it is more painful then a average kids sore throat, but she is extremely hyper focused on her illness. Thanks for sharing.

For me it is the relentless whining and demanding of her needs that she thinks I can fix. I sometimes find my self thinking she is so irritable towards me because I cant fix it.
Jan 04, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My son, and even myself are the same way
by: Stacey

I just wanted to let you know that My son and I experience the same, can you believe, CALM, at the onset of the physical symptoms of sickness. It is miraculous. And yet unexplainable still.

We have only been having very severe issues since we both had some sort of sickness in April of 2008, and we still battle what ever it was. I know that I did have SPD as a child, but not very severe, and that even my 8 year old might have had very little of it. But when we got sick, that was a new beginning of the seriousness of this disorder for us.

I just wanted to let you know that we too, get that wonderful calm. How ironic. I am scheduled for a brain MRI very soon, and numerous other tests, as if enough hadn't already been taken. Better me than him though. My Neuro, actually said that sometimes "Viruses" can linger for longer than a year, and then POOF, your better. Hard to believe huh?? Guess we will see. Best of luck. Take care.
Aug 12, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Suggestions
by: Maraiah

My son was a lot like yours in the way of aggressiveness and audio. My son's OT suggested the listening program. My son's aggressiveness toward himself and others started to lighten within a couple months. We have now finished the program and he's a whole new person. He still has audio issues but not as bad. I would suggest when you do meet with your son's OT to talk with them about this program. There are two different programs: The Listening Program and Therapeutic Listening. My son did The Listening Program.
Good luck,
Maraiah
Sandy, UT
Aug 12, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		To medicate... or not to medicate?
by: Anonymous

Medication does not help SPD. My son also has SPD. The things that worked for him was Occupational Therapy and counseling about his behaviors. I can say that the most effective was the Occupational Therapy. You will be amazed at the difference in your son after he gets OT will make. That is if he hasn't gotten it already. You may want to consider getting him tested for other things. I did with my son, but found out all he had was SPD. He may have something else he may need medicated for. I wish you well because I know how it is to have a son that is difficult to deal with. It is not EASY.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to The SPD Q & A.