Addressing the Mystery of Self-Injury: A Parent’s Struggle

The Unexpected Onset of Unusual Behavior

It was a regular early morning at 5:23 AM on February 1, 2009, when an unexpected occurrence disrupted the peace. Jamie, a young individual with health conditions, began displaying self-injurious behavior. Unfortunately, this was accompanied by abnormal seizures, a previously unseen phenomenon. An attempt to control the seizures was made by administering 10 milligrams of Diazepam, a medication known for its anticonvulsant properties. However, this did little to halt the self-inflicted harm.

Jamie appeared to be focusing his attacks on his ear, an area previously damaged in a group home. The motivation behind this behavior was unclear. What was more baffling was the abrupt onset of this self-injurious conduct after almost five days without any such activity.

Changes in Medication and Behavior

Jamie had recently been weaned off Depakote, a drug used to treat seizures, and had started on Lamictal, along with Ativan, as required. The latter was occasionally used for attacks and to manage self-abusive behavior. On the night of the incident, Jamie was given Diazepam as a fast-acting rectal gel since waiting for Ativan to take effect wasn’t an option. As a result, his behavior was erratic, characterized by a wild look in his eyes, starkly contrasting his usual demeanor of laughter and contentment.

Uncertain Health Status and Need for Medical Investigation

Jamie had been mysteriously losing about 25 pounds over the past four months. A CT scan of his abdomen revealed only fecal impaction, which was addressed subsequently. Repeated attempts had been made to persuade doctors to conduct further tests. One such procedure was an endoscopy, which unfortunately lasted only 30 seconds due to Jamie’s reaction to the sedative and thus did not provide any substantial insights.

Despite the lack of clear medical evidence, Jamie was suspected to have undiagnosed gastrointestinal issues. However, medical professionals seemed to dismiss this theory. An alternative suggestion was to conduct a PET scan to investigate possible brain anomalies.

The Struggle with Doctors and Psychotropic Medication

Over 17 years, numerous consultations with medical professionals had yielded little more than prescriptions for various psychotropic drugs. Jamie had been treated with Risperdal, Prozac, and other medications like Naltrexone and Clonidine, none of which had effectively curbed his self-abusive behavior. This resistance to the drug suggested that Jamie might be behaviorally fragile, where even the slightest discomfort could trigger self-injury.

The Challenge of Restraints and Search for Answers

Restraints were not entirely effective as a means to control self-abusive behavior. In addition to the physical strain they put on Jamie, they also presented a constant cycle of restraint, self-injury upon release, and condition again. The need of the hour was not to control the symptoms but to understand the root cause of such behavior. The change in his countenance indicated that there was more to his actions than what met the eye, a mystery that required diligent medical investigation to solve.

Hello, my name is Saar, and I’m so happy to share a bit about myself with you. I’m 17 years old and live with my loving family, including my mom, big sister, and furry best friend, Maple. As someone with autism, I sometimes feel different from other kids my age, but my family is always there to support me, and we have an excellent relationship. My sister is incredible and teaches me so much every day. Although I attend a particular school for children like myself, I sometimes struggle with expressing myself fully in long sentences. But despite this challenge, I remain grateful for the love and understanding of those around me.

As a typical boy my age, I enjoy participating in football games and cycling adventures. In addition to these physical activities, I enjoy playing the piano, exploring art through painting, and spending quality time with my friends. My music preferences lean toward classical compositions, operas, and Hebrew songs. Although I find the TV show “The Big Brother” uninteresting due to its constant chatter, I never miss the latest episodes of “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars,” and I have collected all of their CDs.

My class has only eight students, and we all learn at our own pace in the subjects we enjoy. Sometimes, I notice people making strange facial expressions, but I struggle to comprehend their meaning. It’s difficult for me to distinguish emotions like happiness, sadness, fear, or excitement, and I often struggle with appropriate behavior. I have to learn everything from the beginning; even then, I may forget what I’ve learned. If I hear a sound that is too loud, it can be painful, and I have to cover my ears. It’s hard to understand people I don’t know because their voices may sound different. When someone looks at me directly, I lose focus and stop listening to them. I prefer things to be neat, and I get upset if plans change suddenly without prior notice. Recently, I realized I had a crush on a girl in my school. We spend time together daily, playing computer games and traveling on the bus. I enjoy holding her hand and being her protector. However, I’m not allowed to travel or go places alone because I might get lost, so my mother accompanies me to all social events.

I understand that everyone is unique in their way, just like me. My passion is playing the piano and showcasing my talent in front of a large audience. It brings me joy to receive applause for my performance. Additionally, I aspire to use my creativity to paint a more beautiful world when I am older.