rapidfalcon22 said:Is there truly no one 😢?
I think nobody is replying because you posted this in the wrong spot. You should probably just start a new thread since this case doesn't really have anything to do with schizophrenia. Most people here are dealing with schizophrenia or similar disorders, and there aren't many psychiatrists on this forum—maybe a few psychologists or people pretending to be them. It's mostly patients looking for help and giving advice to one another. I don't know if my advice would even help you, considering I took that medication but I don't have schizophrenia or any related condition...
Anyway, that drug isn't just prescribed for schizophrenia and stuff like that, so don't let that stress you out. They prescribe it for all sorts of F-codes. I was diagnosed with transient depression and BPD, and I was on it with breaks for three years. I'm 21 now. I think people get too worked up over side effects that are super rare and usually sound terrifying but never actually happen. If something were serious, your doctor should have warned you. And you should warn them if you notice any issues with side effects.
The only thing I'm unsure about is that the drug hasn't been tested on minors, so who knows how it affects kids. And that part about dementia doesn't sound great either.
As for you saying the kid is sleepy and passive from the meds, that's totally normal, especially at first. I used to sleep half the day away. Also, the most common side effects are increased appetite and mild amnesia. It really weakens your memory; for me, those three years were just a total fog. You kind of lose track of time. It's almost like some kind of drug, I guess. And honestly, you do become more passive, and it can turn into a sort of vegetative state—lower ability to learn, being slow, feeling dull, etc.
Personally, I think you should wait and see if the medicine actually helps the child. If the negative effects outweigh the good ones, it's better to stop taking it. In layman's terms, this report looks pretty poorly written to me, and I wouldn't trust a doctor or psychologist who wrote it like that. What was the reason you took the child to a psychiatrist in the first place? Not that I'm prying...
Based on what was written, I think the diagnosis is an exaggeration. It might be best to find a different doctor. That's all from me, since I'm not an expert.