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16 yr. old rage tantrums, coma state, seizure

My 16 yr. old daughter's behavior of lying, defiance and rebellion has progressively grown worse over the past 3 years. We have been going to counseling the past few months, things seemed to be improving.  This past month we had an episode that escalated into a physical altercation between my daughter and her father.  He slapped her on the side of her head and a few seconds later she sat down on the ground and then lay down. (She did not fall)  She has done this in the past in public where she will sit down when she is not getting her way.  She has also had blackouts when our arguments have gotten heated at home and she is acting out.  She will then go limp for a few seconds and then she is calm and remorseful.

This most recent incident, we were unable to get her to respond.  We had to get help to put her in our van.  I took her straight to the ER, thinking she was “faking” or on drugs.  After about 2 hours and a blood test and CT, she was still out.  She was admitted to the PICU and had an MRI and EEG.  All of the results were good and normal except the EEG.

After a visit with her neurologist, we were told she has a seizure disorder.  Her seizures are not noticeable to someone looking at her, they are not normal epilepsy.  She has significant spikes in the left temporal lobe.  The neurologist put her on anti-seizure medication.  The next week she went to camp and ended up punching a girl.

This past week, she was mad at someone and at the same time, disobeyed me and I grounded her.  She went into a complete rage.  When I went to talk to her and tell her that her behavior was unacceptable, she was still crazy.  She came after me with a pair of scissors and my husband had to restrain her until the police got here.  While restrained, she was screaming so loud and would not stop.  The police came and handcuffed her until the EMT’s came.  She was once again unresponsive and in a coma state.  They took her to the ER and she was out this time for 5 hours.  

Each time, her heart rate was way above normal and she did not (could not) respond.  The EMT’s thought she was overdosing.  Once again, all tests good and normal.

She is now at an inpatient facility and the only answers I continue to get is that she is throwing temper tantrums and is very good at controlling herself and acting.  I have a hard time believing this.  Any other possibilities?

** She has also gone through an eating disorder and cutting herself phase, neither of which were extreme cases. I took her to her doctor on both occasions and she felt like it was nothing to be concerned about.  She was still very healthy and the cuts were only surface, more like scratchs. Maybe for attention or because her friends did it and it was the "in" thing to do. **
5 Responses
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535822 tn?1443976780
Iit does read that the altercation was between her and the father, and he slapped her on the side of her head ..there was no mention of her going for you,.... I do agree that some help is needed here she is definatly upset about something ...this doesnt sound like faking to me she needs serious help to find out what is going on ...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
First and foremost, I thank those of you that responded with helpful information!!  I do understand your red flag concern!! Like I said, we have been going through this for some time and each time gets worse.  She will come after me, and my husband will then step in to restrain her.  I have a 2 yr. old and an 8 month as well. This particular incident, we were in public, with witnesses and she pushed me while I was holding the baby and threw something at her father while he was holding the 2yr. old.  She then took off in the parking lot to run away (again).  My husband gave me the 2 yr. old and ran after her, when he got close enough to reach, she turned around to hit him, and that was he immediate reaction.  This is not something that generally happens.  It is just all very overwhelming and getting to be more than we can handle.
Helpful - 0
535822 tn?1443976780
I would like to hear further details regarding a father hitting a child on the side of her head the dynamics you describe send up a red flag in my head , , if this has been going on for a considerable time perhaps the father needs some help aswell .......
Helpful - 0
13167 tn?1327194124
I have a hard time believing she is faking her seizure pattern,  too.  

These people who are assessing her sound like they are behaviorists,  when what she seems to need is a good neurologist to consider the seizure disorder as the cause,  or a main contributor,  to her collapsing episodes.

The Massacheussets General Hospital neurology webforums used to have a forum by the doctors that discussed Oppositional Defiance Disorder as actually a possible seizure disorder.   I can't find it now.

Best wishes finding answers.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would get her evaluated by a child psychiatrist.  Cutting is never a good sign regardless of how minor it may be.  I think she has some emotional issues that need to be addressed and along with these she has anger issues. I am familiar with the type of seizures she has, and they just kind of zone out temporarily.  She definitely needs some psychological help so she can have a normal life and you can all live as a happy family.  Hospitalizing her without treatment is doing nothing for her.  If she is going to be in a facilty for awhile, make sure she gets a diagnosis and then therapy for it.  She doesn't have to live like this, nor do you and your husband, so get her proper help so all of you can get on with life.  Best wishes and take care.
Helpful - 0
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