I watched todays show and can see how ppl believe these things. I grew up in the South where religion was a MAJOR part of ppl's lives but they were also very superstitious. I'm superstitious but just out of habit and not real belief (spill salt, throw a bit over the shoulder type thing).
My oldest son has always had some issues, colic, separation anxiety, etc. It went downhill fast in 04 when he was 3 yrs old. The 2s were a dream compared to the nightmare that his 3rd yr became. He was always an emotionally fragile child, lots of anxiety, nightmares and frequent night terrors. He started having periods of extreme anger lasting a wk or more, then go into depressed phases where he would cry at the slightest thing, didn't want to leave the house, etc. In Nov it all came to a head and he went into mania. He was literally hanging from the ceiling, hissing, throwing food, his voice changed, his eyes changed, it was very scary. We talked to his dr right away, saw psychologists, psychiatrists, family therapist, neurologist and neuropsychologist. One night I called our base chaplain just because I was overwhelmed with 3 kids 3 and under, a manic 3 yo and no help in sight. I just needed someone to talk to at that moment that wasn't involved in the situation. Well, he says that because ds has nightmares that there is a monster under his bed scratching his back and then has these unexplainable severe mood swings that there is a DEMON bothering him and wants us to bring him in to lay on hands!!!! Now I'm all for praying for God for comfort, peace, those types of things but we do not believe in that. We had already had him baptised in our own Episcopal church and didn't feel a need to have an exorcism was really necessary for our 3 year old! I explained that we were seeing drs that were concerned due to prior illnesses, possible birth trauma injuries, etc and he says that to him this is a 'spiritual' problem and NOT a MEDICAL one!!
In the last 15 mos we have taken him to many drs, had an MRI and EEG done, had IQ and psychological testing done. Right now he is seeing a very good play therapist who has worked miracles with him. He is now able to somewhat control himself, no longer has rages/mania where he tears the entire house apart but still has very obvious mood swings. His current working diagnosis is early onset bipolar disorder (strong family history on both sides and is consistent with his behavior), auditory processing disorder, sensory integration disorder, and possible PDD-NOS (high functioning atypical autism). We have been working with these diagnosis for 6 mos now and the changes in him are truly dramatic. There is a lot of debate about bipolar in children, but I know my son, I've tracked his moods and it is what it is no matter what you choose to call it. We've also worked on his auditory processing issues, he will be 5 next month and can finally count to 10, can say his letters to E, but is still unable to memorize a simple nursery rhyme or song. His therapist has worked with him on his anxiety and anger too so he will be starting in a normal preschool this fall. We still have probs with his mood swings and at times he is out of control but he is WITH me now and not disappearing inside himself like he did before. We now know that social settings cause him great anxiety so we take him to quiet corners or the bathroom to recharge. We know that sometimes he CAN'T control his emotions and actions and we no longer try to 'control' him. His cycles are pretty consistent and trying to control them makes it worse for both of us. He is not on medication right now but will be starting some next wk. It was a hard decision for us to do this but seeing how far he's come without it I know that it will help him to go even farther.
I just wonder how many children out there suffer from autism, sensory issues, and other psychological issues and their parents turn to religion instead of doctors Sensory issues can cause rages and manic-like behaviors because they need more or less stimulation but don't know how to get it. Some kids need extra pressure, like weighted blankets or vests, others enjoy swinging or jumping. Sometimes normal noise is too overstimulating, they are very sensitive to clothing, things in their environment. Kinda like being claustrophobic or in a room where everyone is screaming. For them it is overwhelming. Or they might have language problems, where they have probs processing information or expressing themselves. They get frustrated and lash out. Nightmares and terrors are due to stress, such as school, potty training, changes in the family, parental stress, etc. In my son's case he doesn't know, he just says he's scared. I have noticed that his anxiety and night disturbances have dramatically decreased since he's been in play therapy. He has never been neglected or abused, he's just very sensitive to things. If he is dawdling along and we say 'come on or we're leaving you here' he'll have nightmares that we've abandoned him somewhere. That's just him. Oh and let's not forget that food sensitivities and allergies can lead to these symptoms too.
I can't count the number of times that ppl have said maybe we should just take him to the church to get 'cured' since we've gotten him diagnosed. It makes me sad to know that there are children suffering out there, not getting the help they need because their caregivers take them to 'lay on hands' instead of investigating possible causes. Can you imagine how scary this is for a child? The second lady on today's show is a prime example of how this can put ideas into their heads and cause MORE problems. The last thing I wanted was for my son to think the devil is living under his bed!
Do you believe that walking under a ladder or someone giving you the "evil eye" can give you bad luck? Dr. Phil's guests say that curses and evil spirits are wreaking havoc in their lives. Sarah is convinced that she's hexed. For the last five years, she has been plagued with what she calls the "Tuesday Curse." Watch what happens when Dr. Phil's producers follow her around on her "unlucky" day. Then, George is convinced he is reaping the negative effects of a curse put on his family years ago in Mexico. He has even put his wedding plans on hold because he fears the curse will cause him to divorce! Plus, David worries that his wife, Holly, may be possessed because she has had the same nightmare for the past seven years, and she has been talking in a man’s voice, speaking in a foreign tongue and barking like a dog. What's behind her fearsome dreams? And, a woman claims an exorcism, performed by her father 26 years ago, put demons inside of her. Share your thoughts.
