Drug Affected Preschooler

Hi F.,

Drugs, even legal ones, stay in the body until removed. They continue to contraindicate with everything that the body comes in contact with. You may need to get psychological help for her but to get her to a point of a proper diagnosis you need to remove the residue of the drugs from her body. Because this isn't just a normal detox, I would see an ND and explain the situation. There are many types of detoxes and some simple bloodwork will tell exaclty what she needs.

I detoxed my home and behavioral issues went away as well. Avoiding the other chemicals that can contraindicate can help build her immune system so she can function better.

Hope I helped!

M.

I don't know. It may or may not be affiliated with the drug use. I would definitely see the pediatrician and ask for a referral to someone who can help her. It sounds like a compulsion/obsession which may be linked to abandonment issues or something like that?

Hi F.,
Bless your family for bringing these girls into a loving home.

I hope you are connected with a good network of psychologists, family therapists, addiction/development specialists, and rehabilitation specialists.

Good luck and plenty of hugs.
t

I honestly don't know about the affect drugs would have on her (clearly, they are not benign), but I am a little bit like this myself--and it's a really embarrassing habit. I also have a friend who picks his clothes apart (he literally tore apart an entire pair of jeans during grad school orientation and I remember thinking--that guy is going to be naked by the end of the day). Neither one of us is affected by drugs--just sort of compulsive personalities. The weird thing is of the 7 people in my grad school class about 5 of us have these weird habits (for instances, we none of us have fingernails). I wish I had more insight, but I've been trying to quit doing this dumb stuff for many years without much success--but I am a pretty successful, happy person if that makes it any better!

Drug affected children respond well to Occupational Therapy. Seek out a therapist that specializes in pediatrics, and that works with children that have these issues.

This is actually a nervous disorder usually classified in people with OCD. If you google: OCD, CSP (compulsive skin picking), dermatillomania. You may be able to find more info. Do you notice that she does it more when she is stressed or nervous? It is a way for her to relieve stress or to help herself calm down. If your doctor blows it off, I would ask to speak to a child psychologist.

Maybe OCD and not from drugs. I used to pick at my cuts, etc....until there was nothing else to pick at. So I do have a lot of scars but when I was younger I had OCD. My dad told me that when we had a little bit of paint chipped on the bathroom wall I kept peelling it making a huge spot on the bathroom wall next to the toilet. I also used to have to tell my dad good night about 30 times a night ( I remember doing this when I was 7 or 8), I would get up many times during the day/night (maybe 40-50 times) to check that the oven and stove were turned off and the doors were locked ( started doing this around 12). It was horrible. I guess I slowly stopped or my anti-depression medications helped with it. I still occasionally get up to check the stove/oven & door but I think that is just part of being a mommy.

That sounds really hard! I know it is difficult to watch someone you love going through this. I wanted to share a parenting website that has really helped me deal with difficult issues, here it is: http://handinhandparenting.org/

They also have a Yahoo discussion group and there are many parents on there who have adopted children with different issues. It's a wonderful place for healing support for both parents and children. Here's the link to connect with other parents: http://www.handinhandparenting.org/parent-support/connect...