2 1/2 Year Old On Anti Depressants

phoenix04 · 03-13-2005, 09:00 AM

Hi,

I am from Australia and I posted on here a few days ago regarding my son who I thought may have ADHD.

I have now been to another paediatrician who is very good and he believes he has ADHD. he has put him on anti depressants and he is only 2 1/2 years old. He said this should make him sleep the whole night but they have done hardly anything for him.

He gets up and down all night still and his behaviour is getting quite violent. I have awoken to find him standing in front of me with sharp objects just staring at me.

Last night he started to cry for no reason and he is pushing me away even more often. I am afraid of what these drugs will do to him. He has only taken 3 (1 each day for 3 days).

He is going back to his doctor next month and he is getting a second opinion so he can diagnose ADHD.

His father who I am no longer in contact with displays many strange behaviours such as a clicking noises sometimes when he talks, eye squinting, he is quite slow, gets stuck on one topic when talking, has reading and writing problems, goes to bed everynight at 9pm.

My son also squints his eyes and makes strange sounds when trying to speak. He only says a few words and is way to hyperactive and out of control. He does not know his colours, shapes, animals etc.He tips his food on the floor at times and eats of the floor and not with a bowl. He copies pets.

He has many traits of Autism which the first paediatrician was more interested in. Ling up objects, spinning, flapping hands etc.

I have changed his diet and even without sugars and additives he is really no better.

Please help me, I have no idea what to do. I feel like I am losing more of my son everyday and I do not understand what is happening.

Jess75 · 03-13-2005, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenix04

Hi,

I am from Australia and I posted on here a few days ago regarding my son who I thought may have ADHD.

I have now been to another paediatrician who is very good and he believes he has ADHD. he has put him on anti depressants and he is only 2 1/2 years old. He said this should make him sleep the whole night but they have done hardly anything for him.

He gets up and down all night still and his behaviour is getting quite violent. I have awoken to find him standing in front of me with sharp objects just staring at me.

Last night he started to cry for no reason and he is pushing me away even more often. I am afraid of what these drugs will do to him. He has only taken 3 (1 each day for 3 days).

He is going back to his doctor next month and he is getting a second opinion so he can diagnose ADHD.

His father who I am no longer in contact with displays many strange behaviours such as a clicking noises sometimes when he talks, eye squinting, he is quite slow, gets stuck on one topic when talking, has reading and writing problems, goes to bed everynight at 9pm.

My son also squints his eyes and makes strange sounds when trying to speak. He only says a few words and is way to hyperactive and out of control. He does not know his colours, shapes, animals etc.He tips his food on the floor at times and eats of the floor and not with a bowl. He copies pets.

He has many traits of Autism which the first paediatrician was more interested in. Ling up objects, spinning, flapping hands etc.

I have changed his diet and even without sugars and additives he is really no better.

Please help me, I have no idea what to do. I feel like I am losing more of my son everyday and I do not understand what is happening.

I'm starting to believe that my 2 and a half year old has some learning problems because she doesn't speak too well yet. I know she should be talking more but when I attempt to teach her she gets distracted and wants to do somthing else, she HATES to be taught cause she wants to keep busy. Although, I'm not going to take this TOO seriously unless it persists in kindergarten etc. But your child's violent behavior and the staying up at night may be a problem. But hey, it that's what your doctor wants(antidepressants) than maybe in time it will help since it has only been 3 days. I'm worried about my daughter having problems like me, but if NOTHING else works(like nothing else worked for me) then medication will HAVE to be an option when she's older because I don't want her to grow up struggling like me. I was the quiet innatentive type that daydreamed in school,(which went unnoticed except some report cards, and I needed tutors) was considered an "underachiever" and "lazy." When I tried my ABSOLUTE best. So, I don't know about you. Sorry for rambling about myself but I'm telling you why I would put my child on meds when she gets older if she had to be, especially if it's effective, cause the quality of life is screwed dealing with this disorder. So, I figured I'd reply because I also have a 2 and 1/2 year old to worry about. What antidepressant is he on? Maybe you could try a mild sleep aid for now after asking your doc.

rastafairy · 03-13-2005, 10:44 AM

hi Phoenix 04, right first off is anyone there for you to support you? let you catch your breath for a while? right it's fantastic that you have cut the artifical colours and preservatives, sugars, from his diet and it could be a combination of the change in his diet causing withdrawl, the medication it's only been three days right? could be? may i ask what medication he's prescribed for him melatonin? clonidine? risperadal? ritalin? these are only a few medications off the top of my head so to speak, take care and i hope that there is some sort of support network out there for you. Keep in touch

index.html · 03-13-2005, 11:15 AM

Phoenix,

I still think you really need to insist on an evaluation by a neurologist. Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable giving antidepressants to a 2 1/2 year old, nor would I be comfortable with putting him on typical ADHD medications like stimulants or Strattera.

I really, really think you need a more thorough evaluation done, followed by some early intervention by specialists!

phoenix04 · 03-13-2005, 02:14 PM

Thankyou for your responses.

He is on Amitriptyline. Not sure how different we do things here in Australia to the US.

He has gave these to him for his sleep as we showed him a sleep diary we had been keeping. He runs around all night and just wants to watch to movies. He said when he is diagnosed he will start giving him daytime medication.

I wouldn't have him on these tablets at all but I can not see him sleeping much without them.

I can not get him to sit at all during the day to help him learn. He constantly just laughs and smiles all day like nothing is wrong.

I was also recommended to start timeout by locking him in his room for 5 minutes at a time which I really do not want to do but just sending him to his room doesn't work because he is so cunning and sly.

When we seen the paediatrician we didn't even get a chance to tell him what was wrong because he said he gets 2 out of 100 children like my son. He watched and observed him and told him off when he touched something at the doctors he wasn't meant too touch and he just smiled and kept doing it, the doctor said it is his smile and eyes that are different and defiant.

I know something is wrong with his father but he will not tell me what and I worry for my son.

I don't have alot of family support as my parents work and also have there other grandchildren every week and I don't like to ask for help. Although I am hoping this will now change things alittle.

I have dealed with depression myself and still do at times as I have an eating disorder since I was 16.