QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD IN KINDERGARTEN. HE HAS BECOME DEPRESSED OVER THE YEARS ( CURRENTLY HE'S IN 4TH GRADE), ARGUMENTATIVE AND GENERALLY MISERABLE.
MY CONCERN IS HE RECENTLY STARTED TELLING ME OF HOW HE CAN'T CONTROL HIS MIND. HE IS EXTREMELY AFFECTIONATE TOWARDS ALL ANIMALS. HE KILLED A LIZARD THE OTHER DAY (SPRAYED IT WITH THE HOSE TILL IT DIED). THIS CAUSED HIM TO CRY UNCONTROLLABLY. HE SAID IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. THEN HE TOLD ME HE DIDN'T WANT TO, BUT HIS MIND WAS TELLING HIM TO DO IT AND HE COULDN'T STOP! HE HAS SINCE TOLD ME HE HAD A FEELING HE WAS GOING TO SQUISH A DOODLE BUG ( ANT LION) AND ACTUALLY ACTED ON IT THE OTHER DAY.
I'M SCARED AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DOCTOR, BUT I JUST NEEDED TO PLACE A LABEL ON THIS DISORDER. I'VE READ ALL THE SCREENING TESTS AND DON'T SEE ONE WITH EVIL TENDENCIES.
PLEASE HELP!
ANSWER:
I suspect major depression and/or bipolar disorder in children, is present. The symptom checklist I use for my patients may be of help. The
book "The Bipolar Child" by Dr. Papolos will undoubtedly be extremely helpful.
He needs professional attention ASAP - a good child psychiatrist is your best bet.
