Been to gp about self harming and been referred to Camhs......

[Blossomgoodwill]

Gp was lovely and we actually spent a good 30 minutes talking about dd.
Just had our dp's through and the I spoke to the SW about dd self harming. She said I needed to speak to the gp so I have.
Gp was flicking through all of dd's reports and said your dd obv. has Adhd why won't you consider medication (SW also commented that she felt dd did after seeing her at school).
I just feel so knotted up inside about it as the school don't feel she needs meds at all. Wheras I am now coming round to thinking that maybe she does. The poor love already has a significant communication disorder and the hyperactivity on top. I have limited control over the communication side but maybe the meds would really help. Dd's concentration levels have always been a cause of concern and I am thinking that maybe this is adding to the biting, hair pulling to herself etc.
The SW noted that she felt dd had low self esteem and the gp felt that this could lead into depression. Again due to her impulsiveness and hyperactivity she finds it hard to control the behaviour and then in turn feels naughty. She also knows she is different from other children and again is finding it hard.
I know that meds are not a magical cure by far but a part of me feels I own it to dd to give her the best start in life. We have put the meds off for over 2 yrs now and tried every trick in the book to try and help her. She has calmed down but no way as much as she should. Her impulsive behaviour worries me, she picks things off of the floor and eats them. She would run in the road, climb out of a window, maybe she cold really harm herself without the medication.

The gp said medication can change lives for some families and when I think of how hard it is for us to do anything as a family due to dd's hyperactive, impulsive behaviour the medication is now seeming appealing.

I think the one thing that is stopping me is the school and a very close friend of mine who are not up for it at all. I personally feel dd is more Add that Adhd but still it impacts her life more than ours.

What I think scares me most is that when dd is older she may hold it against me that I didn't.

Thanks for listening. It can be so theraputic just writing it down.

Is there somebody you can talk to more about his?

Maybe some parents who do use medication for their Children?

Is there any harm in trying it just to see?

I know it's hard, a while ago the DR mentioned about Ellie possibly going on some kind of medication when she was older if she needs it. Straight away inside I was like "Oh no" Suppose I have read lots of negative things about it.

But as somebody said to me once you only really get to read the bad things.I am sure there are many people who would say their Childs lives have changed for the better because of meds.

Sorry, not much help!!

maybe a useful thing to talk through with CAMHS people? don't imagine your GP would be as experienced in this area as other health profs you are dealing with. how long is referral likely to take?

AB - I do still think there is a taboo associated with medication and the feeling as a parent a failure in a sense (how I feel) However if a child has a medical condition such as diabetes and it's controlled by insulin people can accept it more.

FOS - I agree, am going to wait until I have seen Camhs but I guess the gp and sw have planted a seed. Should be about a months wait. Should be good as haven't been to Camhs for over 2 yrs and dd has changed so much since then.

Hi BH the whole meds issue is such a difficult decision, I would personally go with what feels right for you as a family and for dd. After all school and friends don't see it 24/7

Monica - thanks I think I will just have to sit back and wait for the appt. It has been so long since dd has been to Camhs so will be interesting what they think. I just hope we don't have to wait too long as they always have such a huge waiting list. Gp has tried to push it through as urgent (which I think it is)

The other good thing is that the gp has referred dd to an opthamologist as Bibic picked up some difficulties with dd and crossing the midway line. Really pleased about that as usually you have to go private!

I'll be surprised if camhs are in favour of medicating, from what you've said tbh- they're usually anti, ime. Has dd actually got an official adhd diagnosis? I think I would give lots of weight to what the school thinks as she's so settled there, from what you've posted before, and they know her well. Is self-harm an issue there? if so, how do they deal with it? Can they help at all in the interim while you consider the medication issue?