Isabelle turned 8 in June. Not long after she was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder), ODD (Oppositional Difiance Disorder), and Anxiety Disorder. We were told she has red flags for Bipolar as well. We were expecting all that and quickly dug in to the work needed to address these issues. Things were getting a little better.
Then the bottom dropped out. Last week we became aware that our sweet, beautiful baby girl was having bizzar delusions. We quickly jumped into action. She has now added the diagnosis of mood disorder, unspecified with psychotic features. What this means is we don't have any answers. Over the next few months she will be observed in therapy and undergo testing to rule out health issues and will be tested for Autism as well. We were told that while early onset schizophrenia is rare (1 in 40,000) it could not be ruled out at this point.
I have been devouring all the literature I can find about VEOS ( Very Early Onset Schizophrenia, which is diagnosed between the ages of 7 and 13) and I have to say I'm concerned. She has so many red flags. But she has an excellent care team and amazing family and regardless of the eventual diagnosis she will be loved and cared for.
My prayer is that she will not be givin more than she can handle with or without our help.
My goal in sharing what she is going thru is to spread awareness. The stigma of mental illness is not something a child should have to worry about. And I hope that by speaking out and sharing her story someone else might find comfort.
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