How to trick kids to take their meds?

[mystic]

My 15 year old is now resisting taking his daily zyprexa, I have to get him to take it. Last saturday I crushed it and put it under the pepperoni in his pizza but he had only eaten a piece of it the reheated it later on, my wife is worried that the microwaving or taking it with different foods or mixing it in his tea or juice may not be wise so I don't know what else to do?

[Ponder]

Why does he not want them? You would think if they were actually helping him, that he would want them? Making it a trick is the first mistake.

[mystic]

Yeah I agree on the trick part, the school's counselr did get him to admit that he doesn't like how the zyprexa makes him feel but since on the zoloft he has gotten very defiant and does not speak to us and I can't get him to visit the psych.

[Ponder]

The very mention of the school's councilor makes my heart go out to your son. May I ask when the medicating began and what part did the school play in making that desicion?

From my perspective, I have to say the context of the words "made him admit" reveals much as to the pressure your son is under. With such an admission, why continue to "make" him take them? Would it not be wiser to work with your son as opposed to against. Playing tricks is rather deceptive and will do more damage than the process that seeks to label such and give reason like so, for his behavior.

The attempt to make others do what they do not want is very much the problem. He more than likely just wants to be accepted, but instead feels rejected.

Focus less on the professionals and more on your son. He knows better than them. If you can't hear him, then listen some more.

[Kixxi]

Yeah I agree on the trick part, the school's counselr did get him to admit that he doesn't like how the zyprexa makes him feel but since on the zoloft he has gotten very defiant and does not speak to us and I can't get him to visit the psych.

Is it because it makes him feel less present? I had similar feelings on my medication, I felt constantly sedated. However, since he is fifteen years old, you might make him see sense? Depending on what his problem really is. It is hard to trick a fifteen year old unfortunately, because they usually know what parents are up to.

[mystic]

I had a talk with him trying the direct approach and told him very calmly it's either he take the med and get back to normal like last time then we can look into all other options or he go talk to the psych right now which he refused to do last 2 appointments. It's either one of those 2 choices or he will simply get worse and have to end up going through the whole ER and mental hospital routine again, there' nothing else I can think of or do so I am guessing it's totally up to him now since he has been so defiant for a few weeks now and refuses to speak to me or his mom.

[Kixxi]

I had a talk with him trying the direct approach and told him very calmly it's either he take the med and get back to normal like last time then we can look into all other options or he go talk to the psych right now which he refused to do last 2 appointments. It's either one of those 2 choices or he will simply get worse and have to end up going through the whole ER and mental hospital routine again, there' nothing else I can think of or do so I am guessing it's totally up to him now since he has been so defiant for a few weeks now and refuses to speak to me or his mom.

When it comes to mental problems, many people are embarrassed, especially when they have to talk to a parent they look up to. Still, he is still under age, so you still have the power to make the hard decisions to get him better. Sometimes they might hate you for it, but it is the only thing to do sometimes.

[mystic]

Well no, I don't have the power to make him take the med.

[Ponder]

You remind me of my schizophrenic mate's parents back in Toowoomba. Always ready to pick up the phone and call the white coats whenever an augment breaks out. They controlled him in such a manner early on, and still in his 40's he must bare such abuse.

What are you doing for your own issues? Maybe you should stop clinging to your sons and start working on your own?

Sounds like you need to be more open. Keeping calm whilst remaining vigilant, looks more authoritarian. Give the kid some space. You need to ease up on making such demands and writing out his future with such negative imprinting. I can see why your kid has issues.

I think the best thing for kids in such situations - is to cut ties with such controlling parents.

It's pretty clear that you need to let go ... that's for sure.

If you Love it - Then let it Go. Count yourself blessed if it comes back ... Right now with your current attitude, your pretty much screwing your kid up. arrr the guilt ... No matter - let's give this one to God as well. Pfft.

Bloody Turnkeys ... rigid pricks handing out demands. I'm with the mentally affected kid on this one.

With parents like these ... no wonder the kids are fucked!

[Ponder]

Well no, I don't have the power to make him take the med.

But yet, you tell him if you don't do this or that, then you'' bla bla bla .....

Does not wash mate ... many in here may not say it ... but I'll let you know ... we can see straight through you.

The others - no more than religious, rigid idealistic selfish pricks making excuses to ease the guilt of what they know is spawn of their own doing. Next you will be telling your kid, "You chose" , "it was your choice"

You people make me sick. Take up religion - you seem like you would do well under such a banner. Seems rife in here today.

[mystic]

You are one of the most miserable human beings I have ever come across! I truly feel very sorry for you, I am not eve going to bother to nitpiik at anything you've written but I hope God blesses you.

[Kixxi]

Well no, I don't have the power to make him take the med.

I see. Well, I did not exactly mean force feed the meds, since that never really works anyway. I noticed that he refused his sessions with the psychiatrist. Is there any way someone can go with him and make sure he goes?

[mystic]

Not really, we've been down this road before last year when this first happened when the therapy sessions did not work resulting in him having to be hospitalized, he was reluctant to take the meds at the hospital but when it worked after a couple of months and he was almost back to normal it wasn't an issue for him so I am guessing this time around it will take some persuading and support to get him to continue to take the zyprexa until he gets better then we will look at what other option there. To be 100% clear on this situation, we have tried ALL non-med options but as most people and parents who are in the same situation have told us most folks cannot function 100% without the med, what I am trying to do is find a non-med solution as first option, second option is to have some sort of therapy again to work with the existing med and eventually [hopefully] fade out the med, just because the therapy sessions did not work the first time doesn't mean I have given up on it.