Could Risperidone (Risperdal) be causing this? - a good thing

[Parents! Get help here!]

For several days after starting DD on Risperidone (Risperdal) I thought her doctor had made a serious mistake (and we still could find out as we progress that it is not the right med for her).  She is still on the lowest dose.  Twice this week, for the first time since she was a very young child, we have noticed expressions of emotions with us and verbalizations of feelings (with DH and me which is rare for her) and tonight after her softball game, compassion towards a player from the other team, who had tears in her eyes.  :)D, who also has social anxiety and will not even tell a waitress what she wants to eat, walked over to this girl whom she doesn't even know and who had not done well in the game at all, to tell her she had great potential as a pitcher (DD has been pitching for a couple of years) and just needed to practice her skills and things would get better for her!  I about fell over when I realized what she had done!  She has been in counseling for awhile now, but since this is the FIRST time we have seen this and she just started the new med 2 weeks ago, I am wondering if this could be the reason?  Any experiences like that with it?

Thanks!

[BioAdoptMom3]

For several days after starting DD on Risperidone (Risperdal) I thought her doctor had made a serious mistake (and we still could find out as we progress that it is not the right med for her).  She is still on the lowest dose.  Twice this week, for the first time since she was a very young child, we have noticed expressions of emotions with us and verbalizations of feelings (with DH and me which is rare for her) and tonight after her softball game, compassion towards a player from the other team, who had tears in her eyes.  :)D, who also has social anxiety and will not even tell a waitress what she wants to eat, walked over to this girl whom she doesn't even know and who had not done well in the game at all, to tell her she had great potential as a pitcher (DD has been pitching for a couple of years) and just needed to practice her skills and things would get better for her!  I about fell over when I realized what she had done!  She has been in counseling for awhile now, but since this is the FIRST time we have seen this and she just started the new med 2 weeks ago, I am wondering if this could be the reason?  Any experiences like that with it?

Thanks!

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[crazedncrazymom]

Wow that is awesome!  I bet you are over the moon happy to see your dd showing some signs of getting better.  Let's hear it for TLC or in this case a BFC(big fat change)!  I'm so happy for you.

I haven't had any experience with Risperdal but sounds like so far so good.  I hope this works and you continue to see improvements in your dd.

-crazed

[jdtm]

Risperdal is an antipsychotic drug used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar and irritability in autism.  Is your daughter suffering from bipolar and not borderline personality disorder?  Severe anxiety (and that appears to be what your daughter also endures) is usually treated with antidepressents - SSRI's - as Celexa, Prozac, Paxil, etc.

Hmmm ... .I wonder what the doctor is thinking?  Our mother was on this drug for a month or so - it was a mistake as she was not bipolar (suffered from severe anxiety only).  Anyway, I think that I would question your daughter's doctor for more information.

[pessim-optimist]

You will find out with time, if this was a good choice of a drug or not, or it may be a temporary medication.

What is important - that your dd stepped out, and little by little, she may get more comfortable with these new behaviors, and eventually through counselling, and more and more use over time, she may be able to use these new behaviors even without medication. That is the goal, as there is no medication for BPD. But medications DO help if they stabilize the mood, or reduce anxiety, etc.

  In the meantime - it's good news.