We're in the midst of another (major) battle with Andrew. He has decided (courtesy of mental health) that he no longer needs to be on his medications and I couldn't possibly disagree any more on it. He doesn't see the need to go for any kind of counseling (and dare I say a diagnosis or treatment). He is a VERY volatile and a very angry person right now and it is causing an upheaval at school (and at home). He suggests that there is an imminent threat of another assault from the boy who did this to him last year, I know there isn't. If anything, he's the one who won't let it go. He put a status on facebook earlier this week that suggested if another fight took place, the other student wouldn't win this time. I saw the comment within minutes of it being put up and made him take it off (which he reluctantly did) but not before someone else saw it and sent it to the principle at the high school. Now his school day is being reduced to minimize the interaction time between my son and the other child involved (my son will attend mornings, the other child in the afternoon). The only way I will agree to this is if he has material to work on from home that will count towards credits so he can graduate. Please be praying that God will intervene and Andrew will get the help he needs. I believe that this is far beyond ADD/ODD and truly believe there is something being missed as far as an accurate diagnosis for him. I don't know whether it's a mental illness or whether it's residual from the brain injury but I do know that it's wearing us all down... and fast.
One small step in the right direction: I managed to get my son to start taking one of his meds again. I didn't really give him a choice in the matter though. He had been out Friday evening with a friend and found himself in a bad spot (defending his friends mom who was being verbally attacked by her drinking boyfriend). My son and his friend were told to leave and Andrew asked what they did wrong when the boyfriend got in Andrew's face (big mistake there). Andrew told him to back away when the guy (53 years old) shoved him, and my son shoved back. The BF tried to shove Andrew to the ground when my son punched him <sigh> He came home angry like you can only imagine thinking he would be charged by the police. There was no reasoning with him so I left him alone for a bit then went up to his room (meds in hand) and told him he needs to take them, that they help him to calm down and rationalize. Because he's been off them for so long, it was a bit much for him (dizziness) but I still have some of his half doses so I'll give him those to allow him to adjust to the dose he's supposed to be on. I do NOT condone how Andrew handled himself that evening and in no way showed any kind of approval for his actions. Not even for a second. I understand why he did it but it doesn't make it right. He's on his meds now, which is a step in the right direction but we have a long ways to go with him.
Update I was supposed to see my doctor a couple weeks back for follow up to me being in the hospital in February but I called the morning of and asked them to put Andrew in my place and I would rebook my appointment and they did. Being that it has been 15 months since the assault/injury took place, my son is going to see a pediatric neurologist and we finally got that appointment this morning - to be seen in May. My car is being a little bit tempermental right now (starter issues) and the truck died two weeks ago (seized wheel bearing on the highway - that was fun.. not !!) so I'm praying it won't give me any grief (or to come up with the funds to have it fixed properly... twice now the mechanic said he fixed it but it's still doing the same thing... sometimes it just doesn't want to start).
