Please Help....

[WeThree]

Due to the sensitivity of this case, I am posting this on behalf of someone who for obvious reasons needs to protect her child's privacy. Im really hoping that there is someone out there who can help her.



"I need some help with my 8 year old son. I have tried to get professional help for him but the local agency didn’t want to know.
He has serious anger issues, as well as moments of depression and suicidal tendencies.
Today was shocking. I have never seen him so violent or so angry. We had to physically restrain him while he tried to get a knife from the kitchen while screaming that he wanted to kill himself. He punched, kicked, and tried to hit myself and my DH with a piece of wood.
He is so messed up. He has seen counsellors in the past. He has always been an angry child. I am desperate to help him now before it is too late. He is getting bigger and stronger and angrier and I am terrified at what he may do. I love him so much and just want to help him and I don’t know how. I feel so powerless. I don’t know how to help him."


Thankyou

[Lirael]

the only thing I can suggest is going straight to the GP/hospy for a referral or recommendation for psychiatric care. if he is violent like this, it may be the only option. as bad as it seems he really needs to be assessed.
I cant imagine what this is like but I do know he needs help and he needs it now. dont worry about the stigma of a psychiatrist/psych ward at hospy- they can and will help him.
this is and will be a very difficult journey for the whole family but it really really needs to be done now. please please get him help. if one wont help, go to the next.

I just want to give you these:hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs: and tell you to be strong for your son and family and this community is here for you.
hopefully other hubbers will have some more ideas for you.

[tweedledee*tweedledum]

I don't want to appear to be prying, but do you have any idea what could have triggered the anger? It seems so extreme for an 8 year old to want to take their own life, I am wondering if something has happened to him or some traumatic event has brought all of this out? I agree tha it sounds as if psychiatric assessment may now be your only option as it sounds as if you are now stuggling to restrain him yourseves. Good Luck and I honestly hope you and your son gets the much needed help.
:hugs:

[SalTheGal]

In Victoria there are crisis action teams specifically for this type of situation called CATT teams, you need to be referred onto them by a clinician, but they are a fantastic resource. They are available 24hrs a day, you are assigned one team that knows your case inside out and can immediatly respond to crisis situation (like the one posted), by coming straight to your house and being there in the throes of the attack. Aswell as ongoing counselling. They are specifically trained to deal with suicidal/angry 'patients'

I have a very close friend who went through this as a young teenager- and I believe she wouldnt be here today if it weren't for her CATT team, they pulled her through time and time again in a way noone else could.

What a horrible thing to have to go through- especially to have to stand by and feel helpless as to waht to do, good luck and big hugs.

[Shanaynay]

Omg. This is very serious, and I'm glad you can see it is :hugs:
You should get him into a psychiatrist or the very least a clinical psychologist. See your GP as soon as you can for a referral. There are probably some major psychiatric problems that might need controlling with medication or other therapy by a medical professional, rather than just a counsellor. Are the counsellors aware of the extent of his behaviour?
If your GP just refers you to another counsellor - please insist you need to see someone specialising in child psychiatric disorders or something.
If you feel like you are not in control of the situation and feel like you he needs urgent help PLEASE just go straight to the emergency dept. of your hosptial.
I really feel for you - it must be frightening to watch your child go through this. :hugs: :hugs:
I hope you get the support for him that you need
xx

[damien's mum]

I agree with everyone else and suggest that you that you take him to the hosptial even when he isnt in a state, then they will see it happen from the start, and might be able to offer you some more advice.
Goodluck and hope someone can help you. :fingerscrossed:

[mumoftwoboys2005]

Is this little fellow under the care of a paediatrician? The reason I ask is that I think at least he should be. Go to the GP and get a referral to see a paediatrician who will then be able to get him into the psychology/psychiatric section of the local hospital. The poor darling needs some serious help. Unfortunately it sounds like he may have the start of possible schizophrenia. God I hope not.

I hope everything works out. :fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed:

[lg084]

I agree with tweedledee. I know this issue is to fix the problem but maybe if you find the root of it then his anger problem can be rectified. I am assuming this is the job of a Phyc or Counc. My heart goes out to you. :hugs:

[Becteria]

my friends son became suicidial aged 9 made comments that the world would be better off without him etc... i think what triggered it was that his parents had seperated a few years earlier and his mother wasnt giving him enough attention as she had a new boyfriend. this doesnt seem to be the case for you - but what my friend did was take him to the gp to get a referral, spent heaps of one on one time with his son and got him really involved in heaps of team sport acitvities at the same time. they also changed his school which made a big improvement.

Good luck and big hugs this must be a very difficult thing for you to go through and i hope you find the answer very sooon.

[Lunar]

I would suggest they head to the nearest hospital at which they should have a paediatric phsyc ward, they are really good. They will be able to help and support him and his family.

[Lambie]

My friend is currently going through the same thing with her 11yr old. After years of seeking help and talking to practically everyone under the sun, she finally managed to secure a placement at RBH's childrens section where they have a dept dealing with developmental issues. Although it is a slow process which involves the whole family's input, they are slowing making some headway with his anger problems.

She is not sure at this stage what has triggered it, but suspects her failed relationship with his father at age 18months, may have had a lot to do with it.

:hugs: to this woman and her family, it is a horrible situation to be in and I do not wish this on anyone. :fingerscrossed: she talks to the appropriate people soon!

[SorenLorensen]

i cant help at all but i would like to say that my cousin was just the same as a child and it was not caused by anything that went on in his past (he is one of 3 and were always treated right and his father has always been his best mate, even bot at 16 or 17 not to sure on his age now) sometime people just dont know where to place there anger and it builds up, i feel for this mother as my aunty and uncle had to go through the same thing and it is hard and so many people just dont understand and i dont think you can unless you are the parent of the child, i know i dont understand it but i do try.
oh and my cousin was fist told he had ADD then ADHD and now they are looking into bi pola, (no wonder his anger stayed around, i am sure he does have ADD but not the two after and he has said to me that he can do whatever he wants and get away with it because he has ADHD)

[jessgray]

:hugs: my brother did similar things and no one took it seriously and then he eventually attempted suicide when home alone :( he is fine now (bout to be a dad in jan)
i would find a person he trusts and is open with, there is always someone that gets told everything and ask them if they know anything and see what you can find out. jsut being there for your son can help. i would also talk to your sons school, maybe he is being bulllied?
everyone has made great suggestions i hope you are able to help your son.:hugs:

[Tam-I-Am]

Call the local public hospital and ask to speak to the Child and Adolescent psychiatric intake worker. Explain what's going on. They should arrange a time for you, your DH and your DS to be seen by their intake worker, where they will assess him and take a detailed history.

Good luck.