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Anonymous
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After a month of "fasting" on and off, a visit looking for help from our Priest, yesterday I took my son to the hospital for what I thought was maybe OCD tendencies. Basically, he has been looking at the Bible for verses and even the clock to get "permission" to eat.
He lost 20 lbs in the past month.
Obviously, there is soooo much more to this, but I need some reassurance or information or something.
Because of the urgency of this (weightloss=death), the doctor wanted him taken in for a mental health eval.
They didn't want me to leave with him, but I promised to come back today. I never thought I could lose my baby! I went for help...medication...counseling....not taking him for 48hrs. (God help!!!!! I pray)
All I know is they will let me know how all the blood tests went.
Honestly, I am so broken. My husband blames me for taking him. He admitted our son needs help, but neither of us thought they'd recommend inpatient care. My hubby just left for work....he won't really talk about what I'm supposed to do. I can't stop crying. I know I'm supposed to be strong for my family, my son....but I NEVER thought they'd take my baby.
My main question, what will having a mental health evaluation do to my son's future? The label sounds so horrible. Job applications? College? They recommend inpatient. I begged to bring him back, but .....
Please help ...advise....is this going to end everything for my son before it even begins? If I say no, I imagine they will take him or my other children.....I am so lost.
------------------------------------
~~ Update
Yesterday, we were told that out of the thousands of children the doctor, psychologist, and social service worker have dealt with in their career, our child is one of the worst cases they have ever seen. They wanted to have him sent immediately to another hospital for a 48 hour mental health evaluation.
Today, I was able to gather the strength from your responses to take my son back for the inpatient evaluation.
Before leaving, I called our priest for his prayers. Then I went and visited the Blessed Sacrament begging God to intervene. I had no idea how to stop the ball from rolling.
Ladies, we received that miracle!
The good lab results combined with the noticeable improvement in my son who ate dinner last night and breakfast before leaving to the hospital led the doctor to change her mind regarding the urgency of admitting my son into the hospital!!! Praise God! He will receive outpatient treatment!
Thank you all for your prayers and advice. I'm going to read through the links shared now, and Heather I will PM you in the morning.
4Real Prayer Warriors are powerful intercessors.
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Mackfam
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Non Nobis
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I'm wondering if you could call someone at the Family Life Institute for guidance. They counsel over the phone, and though I'm not sure this particular situation is something they could address, perhaps they could recommend a local service or treatment option.
I am storming heaven this morning on behalf of this intention.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Becky Parker
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Praying!
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Angie Mc
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You must so frightened and overwhelmed  . I'm so, so sorry.
You did the right thing asking for help! You are a family doing the best you can. Many of us have found ourselves in the situation of sort of knowing something isn't quite right then reaching out for help only to have the help not have the "bedside manner" that is needed to reduce stress. Many medical professionals (while well intentioned and expert at medical care) don't know how to reassure or support families when there is a medical + mental health (possible) combination. You are doing the right thing again by reaching out for emotional support for your family AND expert mental health provision for your son.
Praying for peace and *excellent* information, support, and encouragement as you face this trial.
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Kath
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The Pastoral Solutions Institute is also a good option for tele-counseling. While their emphasis is on marriage counseling, they have skilled counselors who deal with children and all kinds of emotional/behavioral issues. I really recommend calling and they can connect you with the correct counselor--at the very least you could get some valuable advice.
I'll be praying for you and your son!
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Katherine
Mom to ds 8, ds 5, and ds 3
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Angie Mc
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More thoughts...
You can find an eating disorder specialist who can provide an evaluation on an out-patient basis.
Also, all mental health records, like medical records, are held confidential under HIPPA act. Colleges don't have access to such records and neither do employers as long as you don't tell them about it. They can't search medical records without permission.
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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SeaStar
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I am praying for your dear son and for your family
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Donna Marie
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You may want to read more about GAPS and the work of Dr, Natasha McBride. She talks extensively about the connection between the gut and the brain:
Gaps info
Gaps site
more GAPS info
GAPS is slowly becoming part of my everyday life as I have
two sons that need their guts healed so that they can be well. For us, they both face vaccination issues. This diet isn't some fly-by-night answer. It has real results and has helped many people we know. Please look into it!
Prayers for you!!
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God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity
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mylonite
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Firstly, prayers. Many, many prayers.
I wish I could answer your questions. I can offer you this: a person in my family had an inpatient mental health treatment for about a week 16 years ago. This person now has a college degree, married, has children, a stable job. So, even though I know it's TERRIFYING right now, please don't lose faith. Our Lord will help you, that I am sure.
For what it's worth, I have OCD. If your son does have OCD, I will be more than happy to talk with you about it.
Many, many hugs and prayers.
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~ Kim
Mama to DD1 (6), DS (5), DD2 (2), DD3 (1), DS2 (08/16)
Mama also to four in Heaven
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SuzanneG
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Storming heaven over here, too.....
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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amarytbc
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I'm a psychologist. His records will be sealed. Some applications do ask if the person has been treated for a mental illness and based on what you are saying I think he'll be able to say "no" and could add that he received counseling as a teen. On applications "mental illness" refers to a diagnosis from the DSM. Even a label of OCD as a teen would not matter in applying to college or for jobs. Many, many people receive counseling as teens. You did the right thing seeking help if that is what the priest suggested or if he was unable to help. I've seen this with a few teens in our area and with a good priest and some counseling things improved and they are fine young adults now. Praying for you.
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elynnmom
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Hugs and prayers to you and your family. Mental health challenges can be so scary. My thoughts for you based on your message is to suggest you take this one day/moment at a time. Try not to worry about the future (college prospects, etc), but focus on what your son needs to be healthy now, today. If that means professional help and inpatient care, that's okay. Maybe you could also get a rec. from a trusted medical practioner/friend/priest for the best inpatient opporunities in your area to help put your mind at ease (that he will be taken care of well).
My daughter had a drastic OCD episode when she was six and it was unimaginably hard/weird/scary. One of the difficulties was thinking about how she would ever be able to live a productive/joy-filled life - really worrying about the future. Thankfully, her OCD experience was relatively short-lived and while she still has some anxiety, it's very manageable. FYI - It turned out that her OCD was connected to a strep infection. It's called PANDAS - it's like rhuematic fever, but affects the brain instead of the heart.
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stellamaris
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Praying for you and your family, for healing and peace. Be not afraid, He is with you.
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In Christ,
Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
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hmbress
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Dear Anonymous, a dear friend of mine has a teen-aged son who developed anorexia. He also had a fear of eating and lost about 20 pounds rather quickly. We tend to think that only girls get this type of eating disorder but it is starting to become more common with boys now too.
My friend is a psychologist, and was able to get him help early on (in other words, not letting it go on for months on end) and the good news is, her son is now eating in a normal, healthy way and is maintaining a healthy weight. I would be happy to put you in touch with her, if you like, just PM me.
Take heart - if he is indeed anorexic (which is a type of OCD), and if he is treated quickly, there is hope for a full recovery. I do think you would benefit from talking to another mom who went through all these same fears with her dear son!
God bless you!
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Heather Rose (ds13, ds10)
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guitarnan
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I know Heather in real life and encourage you to take her up on her offer if you feel it applies to your situation. She's a lovely, caring person and a great mom!
I write college profiles for a living and spend a lot of time looking at admissions/application info for schools all over the U. S. I can't recall ever seeing a school ask straight out for information about mental health evaluations.
I am praying for your son and his medical team, and for your family's peace of mind.
I feel convinced that you have done the right thing for your son, and I hope the outpouring of support you are seeing here will help sustain you through this stressful time. Put your son's health and well-being first, let your other children, if you have them, watch educational DVDs and do a lot of reading, and it will all work out in God's time.
I will bring your prayer intentions to our adult study group tomorrow and to our homeschool co-op on Friday.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Anonymous
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Update in original post.
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MaryM
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That is really good news about the outpatient option. We will continue to pray fervently for your son and your family.
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Mary M. in Denver
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cathhomeschool
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Adding my prayers here as well!
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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RyaneM
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Wonderful update! Continued prayers...
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Ryane in NY
Mama to ds (3/05), ds(1/09) and dd (4/10)
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DominaCaeli
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Very thankful to read your update! Continued prayers for a recovery for your son!
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Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Help/Advice - Mental Health - Update!!
