My son has psychosis and learning difficulties. Because of his LD he finds it difficult to the difference between fact and fiction. He becomes obsessed with watching scary movies although it frightens him he continues to watch. At times it causes him to have nightmares and thinks its a reality. Two days ago he watched glimpses of Harry Potter on TV in the morning.When he woke up after a nap he said he was scared and he could see some strangers. I reassured him he had a nightmare! He became so tense his facial expression looked frozen and rolling his eyes up to the ceiling. When we spoke to him he could follow instructions and answer our questions but in a very low and brief manner. He kept taking my hand to guide me into our bedroom, closing all the lights just standing there. I took him back into the living room and sat him down. About 2-3 hours later he slowly calmed down and regains his composure. Was he having a psychotic episode, are these symptoms of an episode or was he just freaked out? I really can’t tell.
Hello hope,
You mention that your son has psychosis and LD, so that leads me to believe he's on medication for the psychosis. You should monitor his behavior very carefully and quickly take action to speak with his psychiatrist should the meds need to be changed or adjusted. I would even talk to his doctor now about this incident.
Using the word psychosis as you did to describe what your son goes through I'm assuming he has been diagnosed with this. That is a strong word to use if it is only your impression of what is going on.
Psychosis is where feeling and thought are so impaired that the person loses contact with reality.
If your son is young I would not allow him to watch scary movies if he is going to be disturbed by what he watches. It is your right to turn off the TV and just say no to the programs though of course you may not be able to predict in advance what shows will set him off. Movies that are obviously scary you can nix.
It sounds like your son is young, maybe 9 or 10 or at the most 12 or 13. As I said I would monitor his behavior and quickly contact his psychiatrist when you need to.
At this point, and throughout your son's life, it will benefit all of you if keep the lines of communication open and suggest to him that he can tell you what's going on and what he's feeling and you will support him. If at some point you need to take stronger action like having him hospitalized, there are steps you can take to talk to him if he feels his trust in you has been violated. Right now though I would encourage your son to talk to you about what's going on in his head. He may not be able to articulate this or he may not want to, I understand that.
I would also recommend he see a therapist who treats children.
This is just some of what has come to me right now.
Lastly, remember: if you have to take action, do so immediately.
Regards,
Christina
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