I have to say that I am gob-smacked that the psych eval has been released. That does NOT seem to be appropriate. I see that it was requested by the defense when Colton was 16. It would have been used to explain his acting out. Still, I question why it is being released to the public. Obviously, this gives us some background, but it is three years old. He will require a new evaluation which will undoubtedly paint an even bleaker picture.
Maybe I've been wrong all along about the spectrum disorder theory. Now that I read the psych eval, I see a pretty stereotypical description of a prenatally substance exposed child who has been repeatedly exposed to violence and a chaotic homelife.
A lot of people are not familiar with Intermittent Explosive Syndrome/Disorder or Episodic Explosive Syndrome/Disorder (both terms are used):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermittent_explosive_disorder
They are not as commonly diagnosed as ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, or Conduct Disorder but I think the diagnosis are actually underused as they define a very specific disorder. Many other disorders must be ruled out first. It's in the DSM-IV and is most commonly treated IME with Clonodine (Catapres) which is used off-label. It is most common in boys who have some level of substance or alcohol exposure in utero. From what I've read, it is becoming far more common as time goes on and is a strong predictor of criminality and troubled relationships.
We have a son diagnosed with this disorder. He was crack cocaine exposed but relinquished at birth. Onset is typically between the ages of 2-5 and the child quickly goes from being a reasonably normal toddler to a wild and rageful "monster". It is far different that the terrible twos. One of our sons went from being a little love-bug (adopted at age 2) to a monster over the course of just a few weeks. He suddenly started biting, breaking things, head-butting, throwing chairs out windows, etc. He had a great deal of remorse and it actually looked as if he had a monkey on his back and had no way to stop the rage. He could be totally happy and playing and something would set him off. We struggled through 2 years of this while awaiting evaluation. He was diagnosed with EDS and started on Catapres. Within two days, he was wonderful again. Like night and day. For the next 14 years, if he missed a pill, we all knew. The school could tell. His coach could tell. His friends and siblings could tell. Without his meds, he quickly starting arguing and raging and lying--crazy lying. On his meds, he did well in school and absolutely shined in sports. He weaned himself off the meds at age 18 and has been doing great for the last three years. He has a charming personality and is helpful, kind and gentle. It is highly possible that due to the drug modifying his brain chemistry for those 14 years, he was able to take in enough education and learn coping skills to serve him for life. To be blunt, without the meds, our son would have required a residential facility. With the meds, he had a home and success.
The difference is that our son and Colton is that our son had consistency, calmness, parents who are not alcoholics, constant medication management, and a supportive special education program. Yes, he had to have 2 doctor visits per year and an echo-cardiogram once a year. Yes, he had to be careful of pushing too hard in hot weather with his sports. But his meds made me believe in the value of phychotropics. I am not one to push meds on kids but for this boy, they've been a godsend.
I wish Colton would have had that sort of consistency and support. We might be seeing a very different young man today if he had. If he is placed on appropriate medication and he is carefully monitored, after appropriate punitive measures are taken, we could see some success. My experience gives me hope.
If anyone finds any explanation as to why this psych eval was released, I'd be very interested to read it. That really bothers me.
