I'm beginning to think my 13 yr old is suffering mood disorders. she can be just as happy one minute and then mad at the world the next...she is dealing with adapting to a new environment, new school, etc which is having some negative affects on her. She's starting to act out at school to keep older kids from picking on her...

she recently went to 7th grade which in this small town is together with the high school which i think is a big mistake..there's no transition period.. anyway i'm trying to move to a different school district for one..

but on the other hand i don't know if I should get her a psychologist or a psychiatrist. i'm really livid about putting her on medication...but i need these episodes to stop and i want to help her before she gets older and set in those ways...

she's always had these mood changes...i'm feeling like its my fault because i did consume alcohol periodically during my pregnancy. i don't know what to do.

should i just get her counseling or seek medicine?????!!!!!!!!

Depressed in MO

Before all that-if you don't mind me asking-has she started her period yet?

J_9

Is this your first child? And a girl!!!! Wow, sounds actually kinda normal.

She just became a teenager, she is in a new environment, new friends...

Has she started her period yet? Could be hormonal. (My only girl turns 13 on Sunday)

Actually this sounds a little on the normal side with everything she is going through. No meds, no psychologist or psychiatrist is needed.

Maybe a good sitting down and talk to Mom (you are Mom, right?) and getting to the root of the problems will help.

I do think there is more info that is missing though. You say episodes, but you do not go into detail. The more info you give, the better we can help.

LUNAGODDESS

Let’s develop a project with your child...let’s see if your teenager had moved from experimentation to habitual drug use...ask the question...for some issues with mood swings in this limited opinion could be drug use...is she explosive and antisocial...drugs could be the issues...do not jump...this is scary...your baby is in need...take your time but in the same move swiftly...

Now remember ... psychologist, which is a professional, who, studies behavior and experiences usually licensed to provide therapeutic services to the public meaning at a hospital, clinic or private services or working in an academic setting meaning at a university or college.

A psychiatrist a doctor trained in the treatment of people with psychiatric disorders

“...Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a disorder found primarily in children and adolescents. It is characterized by negative, disobedient, or defiant behavior that is worse than the normal "testing" behavior most children display from time to time. Most children go through periods of being difficult, particularly during the period from 18 months to three years, and later during adolescence. These difficult periods are part of the normal developmental process of gaining a stronger sense of individuality and separating from parents. ODD, however, is defiant behavior that lasts longer and is more severe than normal individuation behavior, but is not so extreme that it involves violation of social rules or the rights of others...”
“...A pattern of negativistic, hostile, and defiant behavior lasting at least six months, during which four (or more) of the following are present. The child:..”
• often loses his or her temper
• frequently argues with adults
• often disregards adults' requests or rules
• deliberately tries to provoke people
• frequently blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehavior
• is often easily irritated by others
• is often angry and resentful
• is often spiteful


it would not hurt to ask some licensed professional ....the support is direct and usually calming..the example I am giving are just just to work with it...something to go into the doctor's office and have some knowledge ...some support

check out some of these website to help you prepare for the doctors visits:
www.ADHDprogress.com
http://www.minddisorders.com/Ob-Ps/O...-disorder.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mood_disorders
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/430629_6

blessed your progress...

J_9

Luna,

Isn't that a little drastic for an early teen who may be going through hormonal stages?

What makes you think there are drugs involved?

ginibeni

I'm sorry I didn't say she was using drugs I was wondering If I should put her on some type of mood stabilizer drug from a psychiarist

ginibeni

Yes, she started. She actually started early around 9. We've moved into a very small town with little diversity. She is actually only one of 4 other african american children at her school and she's dealing with alot of out right racism for one thing. As well as coming into puberty. While racism is hard on adults we can pretty much deal with it. But I believe its really having an adverse effect on her.

She's only a child and we come from St. Louis where there is a mixture of everyone and just about everyone gets along or are at least cordial. Here its almost like the beginning of intergration. I feel so sad for her because she doesnt know how to cope with it. That's one of the reasons I feel she's acting out because she feels she has too in order to keep from being called out of her name, which has happened more than a few times, and being picked on.

got to the point I had to have a conference with the principal and request that they bring a speaker in about diversity, in which they ultimately did bring someone in after another incident.

we love all people no matter who you are are where you come from and i just don't want this to twart her in any way...thats why i plan on moving to a bigger town than we're in but smaller than st. louis, before the winter break.

these things are just recent...but in the past she has had her o.d.d episodes as a younger child and they just recently came back this year. this is one of the reason I really want to get my baby counseling I think she really needs it. We all have our opinions and views and i just want whats best for her.

LUNAGODDESS

I took great care in making this opinion...I took classes in social behavior and worked with challenged and exceptional children for a few years and before that personal experiences which pushed me into academia..I just needed to understand why...so when I make an opinion on a topic such as child behavior...and social behavior ...I understand...these are some of my pet topics...now let us get back to the children...

ginibeni

well thanks lunagoddess, i believe that she is showing some symptoms of o.d.d...i just wanted other views on her behavior. like i said i really don't want to put her on any meds...i have sat down and talked with her more than once...you know the momma daughter talks...but we also know sometimes kids don't tell us everything and then on the other hand she might spill her guts more openly to some one trained to bring it out of her...

Depressed in MO

I feel for you Gen.
I think counseling might help her express her feelings a little more. If you don't want her to be on meds, then don't allow it. I think a lot of psychiatrists prescribe these to try and help with the anxiety/depression...whatever that child/person may be expressing. But meet with her therapist first, let her know your expectations, and see what alternative options they can come up with rather than meds.