Posted by robinibor on June 13, 2001, at 16:19:37
In reply to Re: Paxil: My child's experience, posted by Sara T on March 29, 2001, at 23:10:57
Hi Sara
I'm writing for a friend, Tammy, who has a seven-year-old son who has just been prescribed 10 mg a day of paxil. She is very concerned about using paxil because of the limited info on the med's effects on children.
Some of the message about your son was similar, for example his wanting to burn himself. That struck a cord because we thought it was such an extreme feeling. A.J.'s diagnosis has been given as depression--very likely aggravated by a father who does not live with them and is not responsive, always disappointing him.
So, what does Tammy do? A.J. has been tested high verbal IQ, but low-average performance IQ. He has visual motorization problems; he fidgets in class, angers easily, and HATES school. He has very low self-esteem...calls himself stupid when he does something wrong.
The poor kid. What advice do you have? My friend is agonizing over whether to fill the prescription. I think she plans to wait until school starts up again in September.
Do you--or anyone else on PB--have any advice?
Thank you.
Robin> Meds can't do everything for a child. It takes alot of patience and consistency on the part of the parents, (maybe that's why I know so many who take antidepressants). But I wouldn't want my child to miss out on the opportunity to use is talents and experience success. If there's anything that has made it possible for my son to go from doing absolutely nothing in 1st grade to doing 3rd grade level work within a month's time (while in 1st grade) it was starting on meds. He is in 3rd grade now and is an Honor Roll Student and does 5th grade math and reads at 6th grade level. He actually has some friends, even though socializing is difficult for him, he enjoys being with his class and likes school. A far cry from when he was 6 in kindergarten and came home saying he wanted to burn himself up and was very negative toward school.
>
> I am considering enrolling my daughter in a study that is going on for Effexor in pediatric patients. I'm not so sure about it, but my insurance (HMO) isn't taken by many private practice psychologists.
>
> Try to find a good psychopharmacologist that deals with pediatric patients. It may take some time to get it right, but the results can be dramatic.
>
> Hope this helps.
> Sara T.
poster:robinibor
thread:58
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/232.html