Parents of children with emotional disabilities

I was wondering if there where other parents of kids with RAD, ODD, PTSD or any other emotional disabilites out there.

Sat. Aug 11, 12:35am

I have two adopted children both have major issues. It really was hard after we firsted adopted. I gained a lot of weight and thought I was going crazy. It has been 5 years and I have learned so much and I have been working on taking care of myself. Any other parents out there?

Saturday, August 11, 2007, 9:33 AM

Yea, my kid has a lot of emotional issues. But that's because he's a little pansy.

Saturday, August 11, 2007, 10:25 AM

I can't even wrap my head around this last comment. WTF? I'm pretty sure this was completely uncalled for. Having a kid with emotional issues is really hard to deal with and your being an asshole. Why waste the time to type what you did?

Sunday, August 12, 2007, 2:01 AM

What do all those initials stand for? Haven't heard of any of them. What exactly is an "emotional issue"?

Sunday, August 12, 2007, 5:43 PM

*emotional disablilty"

Sunday, August 12, 2007, 5:44 PM

What are they?

They are medically or psychologically diagnosed disorders and/or syndromes. I forgot what RAD stands for but I know it is a disorder that concerns attachment to parents and difficult behavior. I don't know what ODD is but PTSD is post traumatic stress disorder, the disorder that results when someone has a traumatic experience and cannot cope.

So I assume that when the OP says "emotional disabilities" they are simply being broad and addressing any behavioral or psychological problems children can encounter that can be profoundly difficult to overcome and can really disrupt a family. It is NOT a matter of a kid simply being sensitive or a "pansy", but actual, serious disorders that prove challenging for the entire family day after day. As the 9:33 poster brought up, many times adopted children have these problems because of abandonment or abuse or both.

I am just saying this so those of you that are having a hard time understanding can understand what the OP is asking about. Now, hopefully there are other parents in her boat on here that will be able to answer her question.

Sunday, August 12, 2007, 7:56 PM

ODD is Oppositional Defiant Disorder A child with oppositional defiant disorder has tantrums, argues and is angry or disruptive.

RAD stands for Reactive Attachment Disorder, this seems to happen a lot with overseas adoptions of kids who have been abandoned, they can tend to be violent and hurtful to themselves or others.

PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is something a little rare found in children unless of course they have been abused either physically or mentally.

Sunday, August 12, 2007, 10:59 PM

OP here, thanks for giving out those definitions. I was really hoping to find other parents out there living the challenge I am living. It is such a hard road and I can use all the support I can get. Most people that aren't raising this kind of kid just think I should love them more and that will help. They have no idea the damage that has been done to these kids and loving them is what causes them the pain. Not that I stop loving them, but it is hard to watch someone you love recoil at the thought of getting a hug or being touched. You don't get to hear "I love you". It is very painful. My daughter is only 9 and has been placed in a special facility for children who are really ill. She killed some animals and then said she was going to kill the family. Why? Because we love her and she hates it when people love her. She killed the animals because they were nice to her, Loved on her. And all this because birth mom probably thought she was a pansy and treated her as such.

Monday, August 13, 2007, 8:37 AM

Op I feel your pain. I have a child with BPD and it has been a long difficult road. There are times when love is not enough. Your daughter will hopefully get the help she needs in this medical facility. For now I recommend you read up on her particular disorder and get family counsling for your entire family . When you have a child with a personality disorder it affects the entire family . You need to stay strong and balanced for yourself, your child and the rest of your family. I wish you well and will check back in . you are not alone.

Monday, August 13, 2007, 9:48 AM

8:37, I am so sorry for you & your family. Were the animals your family pets? How awful! That was probably extemely tramatic for everyone.

Monday, August 13, 2007, 10:14 AM

please don't think i am suggesting this to stop you from posting here about your issues, but have you tried to find another website/forum that is dedicated to understanding and living with children with emotional problems? there are many online support groups and there may be some actual meetings in your area. i attend a local bipolar disorder support group occassionally and it's been very helpful to hear accounts of how others deal/live with the disorder. i had undiagnosed bipolar disorder as a child growing up in a family that had no knowledge of such issues and was treated like i was enjoying causing stress and as though i purposely "victimized" myself when i would react sensitively to certain situations. it's wonderful that you are aware of the problem and are trying to address your handling/understanding of it. i always thought that others felt like i did, but that they hid their real self. i fell into that routine and it nearly destroyed my life. good luck!

Monday, August 13, 2007, 10:15 AM

I have had over 100 hours of training by professionals when it comes to RAD. I just want to talk to other parents that get it if I say " I ate the whole bag of chips!" We have been dealing with RAD for over 5 years and attend weekly therapy for each kid so that is twice a week. I "know" about it, but dealing with it is different. And I really want to talk about stress eating and that kind of stuff rather than the disability. :) Glad to have others out there like me, I am not a freak, I am not a freak lol

Wednesday, August 15, 2007, 7:34 PM

I grew up with a father who is bi-polar, a brother who is bi-polar (and died from a suicide attempt) and I work with children who have emotional disabilities. I just wanted to add my vote of support for these wonderful women who are dealing with more in their day to day lives than most people could ever imagine possible. We need more parents like you in this world! Thank you.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007, 8:05 PM

Emotional Disabilities

Hi Parents, I am a Parent Advocate in the Mental Health Field, suppoting and empowering parents of children with emotional disabilities. I am also a relative caregiver and for 10 years now I have raised 5 of my sisters children with emotional disabilities. RAD means Reactive Attachment Disorder. ODD means Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and someone answered PTSD wich is Post Truamatic Stress Disorder. All of these disorders are a result of our children's past experiences. Something has happened to them and they are not able to define it, so they act out. this is the way they know how to communicate. Parents our children are hurting so be very patient with them and love them. My sister's children were born drug addicted with birth weight ranging from 14 ounces to 2 1/2 pounds each. It is not their fault, We must be emposered in order to empower them. Let them know that they are important because they blame themselves for everything bad in their little lives.

Thursday, October 16, 2008, 9:24 PM

I am a high school ED teacher

I commend active and attentive parents of ED children, they are so hard. I never actually meant to teach students living with ED but stumbled upon it and am now looking at getting my Masters in Psychology and becoming an accredited school psychologist. If anyone needs to vent, please speak up. My screen name is malyndia and my log is public if you would like to leave me a message.

Good Day and God Bless.

Friday, October 17, 2008, 12:31 AM

Reactive Attachment Disorder

RAD is a serious as well as a rare condition that affects the babies and young children causing them to fail to create a bond with their parents or others. Reactive attachment disorder is a condition which is generally affects children that have been subject to some sort of neglect or the abuse. This often results because a child’s basic needs of being comforted, shown affection and the nurtured are left unfulfilled thus preventing the child from allowing the natural bond to grow.

Link

Thursday, December 9, 2010, 3:06 AM

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