Just playing

Our boy has been hospitalized once again for violent and threatening behaviors. The latest in a long string of incidents happened at the dinner table, right in front of the family...a teasing comment from a sibling was responded to with a raised knife and threats of stabbing before Dad stepped in. Next came swearing, raging, and throwing things, followed by a trip to the ER. During the time we waited, my boy's mood was erratic, swinging from belligerent to tearful to laughing. When he was interviewed by the psychiatric triage clinician, she asked him how other people felt about his threats of violence and physical actions (punching, choking, arm twisting, raised knives). He said his behavior is no big deal, people aren't frightened by him because they know he's "just playing". The clinician concluded that our boy is out of touch with reality and unable to control his impulses. As a result, he was admitted to a pediatric psych unit for our safety and his. This is his 3rd. admission to a psychiatric unit since February 2012...so sad. We are once again requesting a Community Based Acute Treatment (CBAT) placement for our son...so far, our health insurance provider has approved the latest inpatient stay and we're hopeful that the CBAT will be approved as well. Fingers crossed that this time, we will actually get him the help he needs. Keep us in your prayers...