Behavioral health? Is there anything I'm missing here?

I agree with the goblin king. My own son has had some psychological changes recently and we found through blood work that he is low in B-12. That can cause psychological changes. We will next look into lack of intrinsic factor in the stomach in his father & I to see if it is hereditary pernicious anemia. Children do not usually have pernicious anemia unless both parents do. Looking back, my son did show signs as early as 13. He had a patch of gray hair at 18 & some additional symptoms.

Selenium is important to get the brains chain of chemical reactions going to signal neurotransmitters and for hormonal health. We don't get tenough selenium from our fruits & vegetables because of overworked soil or farmers taking money saving shortcuts when fertilizing fields. Buy organic fruits & veggies for better nutritional value. He also needs meats for L-Tryptophan which is a precursor to 5-Htp which is processed into serotonin. This helps with mood and concentration. Fish oil is good for the brain. Buy one that says it has low/no mercury.

I wish you and your son well. If you have to, then change medical doctors. I know how it feels, but you're his mom and will see this through. God Bless!

The Perfect Solution While discussing the upcoming Universal Health Care Program with my friend the other day, I think we found the solution. I am sure you have heard the ideas that if you are a senior you need to suck it up and give up the idea that you need any health care. A new hip? Unheard of. We simply can't afford to take care of you anymore. You don't need any medications for your high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, etc. Let's take care of the young people. After all, they will be ruling the world very soon. So here is the solution: When you turn 70, you get a gun and 4 bullets. You are allowed to shoot 2 senators and 2 representatives. Of course, you will be sent to prison where you will get 3 meals a day, a roof over your head, and all the health care you need! New teeth, great! Need glasses, no problem. New hip, knee, kidney, lung, heart? Well, bring it on. And who will be paying for all of this? The same government that just told you that you are too old for health care. And, since you are a prisoner, you don't have to pay any income tax!

Nutrition and exercise can work wonders, but they can only do so much for ADD and PDD.

My suggestion is to get as much information as you can and for you and him to work as hard as you two can to manage his symptoms until something else can be done. I don't know if maybe your school counselor would have useful suggestions in the mean time. Libraries have a ton of books on ADD and probably have information on PDD. There are nonprofits that do research on these issues. NAMI and SAMHSA have information that might be helpful. Websites and organizations that have information and research on child development are good.

From my work at a child research organization, some things that seem to be really helpful in general for children is giving them some kind of decision making power or input that matters and makes them *feel heard,* like volunteering for something that's important to them. Being in charge of some chores around the house can fall under this category for someone your son's age. Learning skills helps, like a sport or simple car stuff, something cool like that.

I can understand your frustration! I had a horrible insurance. I couldn't get a refill on the prescriptions I needed. There were no doctors, appointments had to wait at least a year. Primary wouldn't touch it. I ended up in inpt. I do agree with you that inpatient could be too traumatic for your son. I felt trapped, since the hospital keeps the doors guarded and locked and they don't let you leave without a doctor's "ok." You have almost zero control over your own environment. You might get a nurse who acts like a normal human and talks to you as such, but the rest I had acted like everyone was dumb. I can imagine it being a very terrible thing if you get a poorly run place. I hope that doesn't scare you if your son eventually does need it. I personally found it helpful, but it shouldn't have gone that far. If you think your insurance company or a doctor has done something that could be different. Write a letter. If the insurance company has done something where you can argue they aren't honoring their contract with you, you can complain to your state's bureau of insurance. They are the insurance regulators. Write letters if you can.

My solution was to do what I could until I got a new job with new insurance. I reported my insurance company to my insurance bureau. I know that finding a new job might not be feasible for others.

I hope this at least makes you feel like nobody's singling you all out! The system is broken. Nobody should be falling through the cracks like that. Good luck!

Well, I would create sores on my shins, pull the layers of skin of the soles of my feet, chew my fingers and cuticles to the quick and pick at sore in my scalp around that age. For me it was anxiety. You can get his blood checked and you can try to get therapy but to me, a child picking scabs is a sign of anxiety - including my oldest (Asperger's and ADD) whose scratching of his skin worsens with anxiety to the point of drawing blood. So, find out what is bothering him and help him with that - takes observation and conversation but that is your best bet.

Looks like you have covered everything except how his neutrition, what has he ben eating cause believe it or not food can affect the mind