What Do You Think About Putting A Child On Psychiatric Medication?

[UnKnown-Self]

As far as the sleep goes... have other things been tried? Reading to her or audible books and some aroma therapy. Lavender is a nice calming scent. Make her room and bed a special comfortable place. Her own sanctuary .... I did it for myself and while it's not a cure it does help.

 

[UnKnown-Self]

I was going to just going to go to bed and not say anything but I can't. Are you getting counseling on how to help Nicole?
What she is going through is not "just situational" she has been through a traumatic experience that has transformed the way she sees the world, how she feels and thinks about her body, her self worth and since it went on for two years it has probably affected the way her brain works. Is Nicole your daughter? Do you know who molested her? Have measures been taken to make sure this person never gets near her or another child?
Was it a friend or family member? This person needs to be exposed. Not by Nicole, she's been through enough but you need face this person and make sure they get at the very least a hurting they will remember like that little girl will remember for the rest of her life.

 

[Casey_03]

@Heather I went through this as a child and suffered debilitating insomnia for years. There were some nights I just wouldn't sleep at all, and would lie awake all night worrying about all kinds of things that would never happen. I had severe anxiety and insomnia. It was so bad that doctors thought maybe I had a brain tumor (I suffered migraines too). My mother was advised to put me on meds and she didn't; instead I saw a therapist weekly, and I think this was better. One, because the therapy taught me how to deal with my emotions on my own, without the help of medication, as well as how to deal with insomnia properly (there are certain things that will make it worse, and it's important to know what NOT to do when you're suffering insomnia). And two, because I did get better on my own as circumstances changed and I became more comfortable with expressing my emotions. I think if I had taken meds it would have stunted my emotional development in some way, so I'm glad I didn't. I did end up taking anti-depressants much later, around 16-17, but that never really helped me anyway and ultimately just made things worse. So, my vote is for no meds and maybe either more intensive therapy or some hobby that might serve as a creative outlet (does she like drawing? sculpting? anything artistic? These things were immensely helpful for me as a kid, and they have the added benefit of encouraging self-expression to get out the negative emotions)

 

[Fadeaway]

When it comes to melatonin brand is EVERYTHING! Since supplements are not regulated any brand can claim to be melatonin, but it doesn't mean that it really is. There was a study done recently, and not a single brand of melatonin sold at Wal-Mart was actually melatonin. I believe most at GMC were questionable.

 

[Heather]

@Alice.in.Wonderland yes, I have her doing trauma therapy with her counselor. Yes, I am her mom. If you look under heading: sexual assault. I have a thread called: just found out my daughter's been molested. It explains it all in there.

Thank you for your concern. Believe me if an 11 y/o could be made to register as a sex offender, I'd push for it.

 

[Heather]

@Casey_03 Thank you for your input. Therapist did suggest using tapping technique at night to help calm her down and ease anxiety.

I used to do this to her when she was younger and she loved it, don't know why I didn't think about it for now. Will start again.

 

[PTSDfree]

@Panda Bear 10mg of melatonin? Really, for someone her age? Pediatrician said she c...

I'm sixteen, weigh 88lbs, and I was taking 10mg when I was thirteen. I think your pediatrician doesn't want her to become dependent on it.

I'm pretty much seconding @FridayJones on this one... Medications at such a young age seem like a big no-no to me. Then again, it's not my job to parent someone else's child. I've been on medication after medication myself, and all it did was screw up my liver. Oh, and a lot of places don't allow medical marijuana. Colorado only does it for chronic pain and life threatening conditions, while Kansas skips over it entirely. It might be worth considering if you live near a legal state, though. I know that my doctor would call CPS right away if I asked him for an actual mmj card. :confused:

When it comes to melatonin brand is EVERYTHING! Since supplements are not regulated any brand can clai...

Yeah, seconded. Labdoor is a good resource for finding supplements.

 

[Heather]

@DissociativeBelle How can she become addicted? It's natural.

 

[PTSDfree]

@Heather It's a hormone and her body can end up producing less of it over time. It's a prescription drug in a lot of countries outside of the US for that reason.

 

[Heather]

Interesting. Will check with her pediatrician and see what they say about it.