Does my kid have a psychosis?

Question

My 14 year old son has always been a very individualistic kid. He's introverted but a real thinker. On the other hand he is a weak student. His relationship with me (his mother) has always been very strong, but sometimes people say that I pamper him (e.g. he still calls me "mommy"). A year ago I divorced his father. Since then he hasn't really changed in behaviour. The family of his father does everything to spoil him though. They also pressure him to study. In general his family is warm and always showed that they cared. Last week something changed. After sleeping over at his aunt he came back in a hyper mood. He started talking non-stop, saying incoherent things, refusing to sleep. This has been going on now for a week to the extent that my ex and my sister in law (his aunt) are staying over to keep an eye on him. My son says he feels powerful and often he talks in a combattant way.
Does my son have a psychosis and if yes, can this be temporary? Or is there more at play here

Answer 1

Whatever is happening now certainly could be temporary, but I really would want to know what happened at his aunt's. It's not that there is necessarily something major or weird that happened (though it could be, like the sex or drugs that others have mentioned) - it could be something apparently more minor but huge to him, like discovering his father has a new girlfriend. Whether something has triggered it or not, what you're describing does sound like the manic phase of bipolar disorder and this often manifests for the first time fully between 13 and 20. Has he had swings of mood before now? Many parents say that when their son or daughter finally gets a diagnosis of bipolar/manic-depression, they feel a sense of relief that something they've always known about has a name. But this isn't true always.

A proper assessment is the only way to work out what's going on, and I'd say that if things don't settle down in the next few days, if he doesn't seem more 'normal', then you would be doing both him and you a favour by seeking medical help. I could understand your being reluctant to go down this route and get him labelled and I am usually averse to this myself, but bipolar affective disorder can be utter misery for both the sufferer and those around them, and it is just about the only condition for which I would say the drugs are necessary, at least in the short term.

And it might be that a professional could talk to your son and you and be clear that it is not bipolar and see something much more temporary. And with luck, it will all pass. People do have short-lasting psychotic episodes, sometimes just one in a lifetime I hope something can happen soon to help you deal with whatever is going on.

Answer 2

Sounds like it could be bi polar/manic depression.

Did it only start after he stayed over at his aunt's house? If yes, I just wonder if something there triggered his dramatic change in mood? Did he take any drugs while he was there?

You need to get him to a doctor as soon as possible. And it's good you're keeping a close eye on him; if it is bi polar condition, your son may feel he can do 'anything' while in this mood, and it can be dangerous.

He may get very depressed after this 'high' phase, so keep watching him. And get him to a doctor who can refer him to a good psychiatrist for a proper evaluation. If it is bipolar condition, it can be helped a lot by medication.

Answer 3

The fact that you've said this change came on suddenly, after a time that your son spent away from home, suggests strongly to me that he may have begun using drugs. Yes, it is possible for mental health issues to hit this suddenly, but it usually doesn't happen that way. Typically mental health issues start to manifest themselves over time. When a child has a sudden change of personality, it's more often an indicator of drug use.

Answer 4

It sounds like a manic/hypomanic episode. It's not necessarily a "psychosis" unless it gets severe enough to where he begins to experience delusions and/or hallucinations. He needs to see a doctor to rule out medical illnesses or possible substance use. Mood episodes in Bipolar (Manic-Depressive) Disorder tend to be episodic. Manic episodes usually last from a few weeks to a few months. They usually remit or a depressive episode develops.

Answer 5

Well, time will tell,...I remember when my then twelve year old,..woke up one day, and I asked myself, who is this child?...He seemed to be hormone boy, and all hyped up and cocky..but, the refusing to sleep, saying incoherent things, and the delusions of grandeur, would put up a flag to me. It is something that is not normal...either he got his hands on some new type of drugs,or something has happened to him,..did he have sex with someone or did something happen to him? You need to tell him that you are aware of his personality change, and you love him and you are very concerned...don't pump him for info, he might start turning on you...but watch him...anything could be brewing....If you are a Christian, start trying to get him to talk to your pastor, if you attend church..he needs to talk to someone, at school even, if you have to sneak and call a councelor for some intervention...I don't think he is physcotic, but you are wise to notice the change and be concerned..

Answer 6

Those are symptoms usually of a manic stage, like you have in bipolar disorder.

He needs to see a psychiatrist soon for this. I have this too. Medicine helps.

Answer 7

I would do some thinking about him sleeping over at his aunts house.This very well be near the root of his/your problem, fourteen years old, pubicent, hmmmmmm?

Answer 8

I think you read up on bipolar disorder and are trying to get your son put on disability so you can collect a check.

Or some really weird stuff happens at his aunt's house. Like with drugs...SPEED....

Answer 9

i would be wanting to know seriously what happend at his aunt's house. Obviously it was something.

Answer 10

id say no seems t have happened to rapidly, no to discorage you but watch for signs of drug usage