7 Yr Old Girl with "Mood Disorder" and Migraines

I think I would take her to a neurologist to get to the bottom of the headaches (and rule out anything awful). I would also try to really modify and manage her diet, are there food triggers for the headaches and behavior? If neither of these things help, I might see what some Eastern Medicine can do to help--accupuncture, craniosacral therapy etc... Good luck-- how scary and awful to watch your child go through such a personality transformation. I hope you can get to the bottom of it.

I have a 9 year old with a very similar disposition. She is mature, GT, highly self-motivated, resposnible and kind. She has had two migraines in the past two years that were kind of scary. When she doesn't get enough sleep, she is capable of throwing dramatic tantrums over small things. Sometimes the tantrums appear to be hormonal as if it is a wild case of PMS even though she was about 7 when this behavior began.

I try to limit her sleepovers and have short periods of scheduled down time during the day. She has them few and far between these days. What did your Doctor advise about the mood disorder component, medicine or psychotherapy?

M

J., have you considered a CAT scan or an MRI? It might be wise to have any pysiological causes checked out.

We had this going on with our 5 year old and saw a really GREAT family counselor who helped us so much with our routine's life, how to help her with stress ect. Her name is Stacy Noland (FKA Klapper) She is an amazing resource and help.

I would like to add, to the already good information, that it will be extremely important for you to gather as much support for yourself as possible. "Resourcing" has been a word that has saved my life. I have learned to identify and gather as many resources into my life for self-care as I can; everything from a great cup of hot chocolate, weekly massage, journaling, to some amazing friends and a gifted therapist. In the beginning, asking for help can be difficult, especially for ourselves, if we have been taught it is 'selfish'. But you cannot be there fully for your daughter if you are completely drained.