3 days ago
Navigating mood disorder diagnosis through collaboration, advocacy at CHEO
Rowan Crosbie, 12, was diagnosed with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder and is receiving care and help from CHEO. (Supplied)
Like adults, kids experience a wide range of feelings, but those with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder often don't know what to do with them and anger and outbursts are common.
For Rowan Crosbie, 12, getting better came thanks to a unique combination of medication, a CHEO first, and his mom's relentless advocacy.
Rowan loves snowmobiling and playing in virtual reality and, as a leading air cadet, has his sights set on the sky.
'I hope to be an air force pilot. It would be cool to fly like a F-35 or F-22,' he said.
Rowan Crosbie
Rowan Crosbie, 12, is an air cadet and dreams of becoming an air force pilot. (Supplied)
The last several years have been a struggle for Rowan and his family. He had become physically and verbally aggressive and was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety.
'It was really difficult for us, for our family and of course, particularly Rowan because he couldn't regulate his emotions,' said Rowan's mom Stacey. 'So, we couldn't really go out in public because of outbursts and behavior.'
Rowan's extreme emotional reactions led the Crosbie family to Dr. Olivia MacLeod at CHEO.
The child and adolescent psychiatrist diagnosed Rowan with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.
'And as part of that condition, it involves an emotional response to frustration that is far in excess of what we would see in a neurotypical child,' MacLeod explains.
Trying something new
Traditional treatments they tried didn't work.
'Pretty soon after I had diagnosed him, Rowan's mom Stacey had asked if I could use a more experimental medication protocol,' MacLeod said.
The protocol involves using a combination of medicine, including a drug not often used for this condition, to improve mood regulation and reduce aggressive behaviours.
MacLeod did a comprehensive investigation, consulting with experts in the United States, before proceeding with the new protocol.
'Dr. MacLeod actually listened to me, listened to my suggestions of the things that I researched as a parent,' Stacey said. 'It wasn't just seen as a parent who was googling and looking for information and that kind of thing.'
Stacey had connected with other parents of kids who have DDMD online.
'Sometimes it's interesting. Information comes through family, social media groups, and it spreads faster that way than it might in the scientific literature because in order for it to come in journals, you need publications, you need peer reviewed trials. And so, it was just a really interesting way of this protocol spreading,' MacLeod said.
Rowan and Stacey Crosbie
Rowan Crosbie, left, and his mom Stacey. (Supplied)
The new protocol is working, and Rowan says it's making a real difference.
'It made me have less anxiety, feel happier,' Rowan said.
His mom has noticed a significant shift too.
'Before he was a lot more flat and sort of depressed and, as a parent, is very concerning. But he's much more positive now. He does activities that he didn't do before.'
The demand for mental health services at CHEO has skyrocketed in recent years.
'We've really seen the needs in mental health escalate,' MacLeod said. 'The demands for our services are very high.'
Donations to the CHEO Foundation help fund the mental health program, including research and from the point of intake with 1Call1Click.
'It's very simple for families to call if they need mental health help and then speak to an intake worker about what services match their needs,' MacLeod explains.
For the Crosbie family, CHEO represents hope.
'I don't know where we would be if we didn't have CHEO,' Stacey said. 'It has really made a huge difference in our lives. It means everything, really.'
