LwellNew Contributor
10 year old mood disorder?
I’m new here, and currently struggling with my 10 year old daughter.
I’ve suspected there was something not right since she was four. At seven she was diagnosed with GAD and seperation anxiety disorder. We saw the GP for a mental health plan and received sessions with a psychologist with zero improvement. At nearly eight she saw a child psychiatrist and was put on medication for anxiety, with great improvement within a week.
Tried coming off the medication at nine without success. When not medicated she is highly irritable, argumentative at home, moody and feelings of hopelessness. She is brilliant at school, highly involved in extra curricular programs, sport and music. She is a high achiever receiving principal’s honour roll for academic achievement and appears popular at school. Her symptoms have become worse lately with some stress triggers at school. We’ve tried increasing the dosage with no improvement.
Her mood completely rules the house. Between 7pm and 10pm she will argue, rant, cry, weep and storm throughout the house until finally falling asleep. In the morning, she is irritable and unpleasant to be around but goes off to school. After school, she is moody and non compliant, unless with her friends, then she is delightful.
He behaviour is affecting everyone in the house and as her mother I feel distraught. She is booked in to start sessions with a new psychologist this week, waiting times to see her psychiatrist about medication changes are 4 months. I’m worried this behaviour is a precursor to more serious lifelong diagnosis such as bipolar or major depression.
