Former Couple Feuds Over 11-Year-Old Son’s Mental Health
Susan and her now ex-husband, Michael, visited Dr. Phil in 2012 to discuss their then 10-year-old daughter, Janni’s, diagnosis of childhood-onset schizophrenia. Seven years later, the now former couple’s son, Bodhi, has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, but Susan says she believes the 11-year-old also has childhood-onset schizophrenia, an assertion with which Michael vehemently disagrees.
TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: Huge family drama?
After reviewing three of the over 180 videos that Susan has posted of Bodhi on YouTube, to document his behaviors and challenges, Dr. Phil asks her to explain why she is asking her child to tell her whether he needs medication, and which kind, to which Susan claims, “He can declare exactly what he needs.”
WATCH Woman Claims She Posts Videos Of Her Son Online To Advocate For Mental Health
“You are not competent to make a decision about what medications he needs, or when he needs them,” declares Dr. Phil, adding, “And certainly, an 11-year-old child who is either schizophrenic or on the autism spectrum is not competent to make a decision about whether he needs Clozaril (clozapine), Depakote, Thorazine – or anything else. And to be asking that question is reckless and irresponsible.”
Susan says Bodhi has seen over 50 doctors and has been hospitalized more than 20 times. Why does Michael insist that her quest for a diagnosis of schizophrenia for Bodhi is putting their son in danger? And, can Dr. Phil convince these feuding exes to put aside their differences in order to get Bodhi the help he needs?
Watch a recap of part one of this two-part episode in the video above, then check here to find out where you can see the conclusion, airing Tuesday.
TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: Conflict so big it needs a Dr. Phil solution?
