severe cerebal palsy and extreme behavior problems for 28 year old - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

amoore · 11-24-2007, 08:06 PM

My brother is 28 and was diagnosed at 14 months after a stroke, due to spinal menengitis. He also has severe mental disabilty and the mental capacity of a toddler. Over the years his behavior problems have gotten so severe that my mother cannot take him out in public, cannot turn the tv too loud or yell at the dog or drop something. Anything can set him off. She tried anti depressants at his dr's urging and they made him like a zombie. He is generally happy and has a great personality (that of a child) but he has drawn blood from biting himself, broken windows, broken furniture. Please help. Is there treatment we dont know about? We're close to Pittsburgh if you know of any facilities.

Robin4007 · 11-24-2007, 09:46 PM

Hi There, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother's behavior issues. When you asked about facilities do you mean a long term nursing facilities?? We're not allowed to post websites here but if you put in your search engine "long term nursing facility in Western Pennsylvania" I'm sure you'll get some facilities!! Good Luck with your brother and the search.

mountainrecluse · 12-18-2007, 06:38 PM

My son is nearly 25, with CP, and profound retardation. He was an extreme preemie. He has always been a nervous child, getting upset and screaming over loud or sudden noises. He is now on 25 mg. Desipramine for depression. It has not made him groggy at all, and he is much more peaceful. I am on Celexa for my own depression, and it does not make me groggy at all. It simply takes the sharp edge of worry/anxiety from daily life. I would advise Celexa, because I know it from first hand knowledge. It will take 3-4 weeks to begin working. My elderly mother and father were both, individually given this in another state - one in a nursing home, and one at home. All three of us liked it very much.
Can your brother move around the house by himself? My son cannot. It would be much harder to cope with, if he could.

amoore · 12-20-2007, 02:02 PM

Thank you so very much for your reply. I could not believe when I read it how closly your situation matches my mothers. In response to my brothers ability to move around, he can pull himself around on the floor and get himself on and off his wheelchair and bed but he is quite limited in his mobility. I agree with you 100% that a higher rate of mobility would make things much harder. It almost sounds crazy to say we're glad they can't move much. Unless someone dealt with something like this they could never understand. I read your email last night and I can't tell you how happy I was to here from someone else who understands. I've talked to a lot of people who just don't get it no matter how in depth I try to explain. When I told my mother about you she was absolutley thrilled to finally, after 28 years, find out that she is not alone. I would love to hear from you again and maybe even get you connected with my mother. I'm sure the two of you would have a lot to talk about. It means a lot when you are going through so much to have someone besides doctors to talk to. I'll let you know how it turns out if they try that medication. He has an appointment next week and my mother is going to mention the medications you recommended. God bless you and your child. By the way, Happy Holidays!!!!

mountainrecluse · 12-22-2007, 10:19 AM

Thank you for writing back. I would love to correspond with your mother. I know how it feels to feel like the only one in a difficult situation. I would enjoy hearing from her. It would be nice hearing from another mother with daily care of a son like ours. Just give her my e-mail address - if you don't have it, you could PM me.