my son is 8 should he be an inpatient and what happens?

[kimmomof2]

HI... please give advice.  My son is 8 he has been seeing a psychiatrist, therapist for a very long time.  It is anger/anxiety issues.  He was on abilify - he gained 54lbs since march. He is extremely overweight now.  The meds where not helping him at all.  So we all made the decision to take him off.  This poor kid is so sad, anxiety level is through the roof, anger is out of control, very mouthy and doesn't know when to stop.  Loosing friends, doing worse in school.  His dad and I are no longer together but are working closely to get the help he needs.
This past friday we had a therapy session together - we told his therapist everything and his mouth was wide open saying "he needs in house help"  We both know this would be the best thing but will it really? wouldn't this cause more trauma?  Having anxiety issues he would never sleep in a facility with out me or his dad and they don't allow this.  Will we be causing more harm then good?

please help!
I keep thinking if he is like this at 8 what will he be like at 14 or would he be here at 14 I'm afraid he'll take his life in a few years.  

[kimmomof2]

THANK YOU!  I'm so scared for him.  He's only 8...and to be like this?  I don't want him struggling for the rest of his life.  What I didn't know early on is on his father side - there has been 3 suicides over the years, including his sister, her son and his grandfather.  

I want to thank you so much for the insight on the facilities and how it has helped you....it is definitely a large consideration - i just don't want to make more trauma for him.

[Alisonj29]

He needs to see a very good professional. There are medications that he should be able to take to see an improvement. I dont know if inpatient treatment would be the best option as he may feel abandoned. Get him into a childrens mental health professional (a different one if that is who he has already seen) and demand help. I wish you all the best.

[rBoulet]

I was like that at 8 except not angry.  I don't know how it is where you live but when I was 17 in the hospital i was with the younger unit. There were done kids about that age and it didn't seem so bad. There was school during the day, tv time, nurses and doctors were always around to help. I'd have to say that even at 17 in that unit I learned a lot about other people and the way things should work that still helps me to this day. I'd even say that the younger unit was much more helpful than any adult units I've been in. it might have even in a way saved my life, because it was a nurse there that told me what bipolar was and told me it sounded like i had it and the doctors were just bring morons shoving pills down my throat.
In fact there was even a hypnotherapist there to help with addictions and behavioral issues.

You know if you are worried, you could probably go to a unit yourself and they'd probably show you around and answer your questions. Probably better than I can because I doubt you live anywhere near me.