Depakote for aggression/rage? | ADHD Information

Hi everyone, I am new to the group.  My 10 year old was diagnosed ADHD w/GAD, mild OCD and depression last year.  He has problems with rage and can be oppositional and defiant (mainly at home). He also refuses school nearly every monday (i.e. I am unable to physically maneuver him there, it is so severe).

His psychiatrist wants to add the anti-convulsant depakote to his regimen of ritalin and prozac, but I am terrified of adding more drugs to his little body.  Does anyone have any experience with depakote, positive or negative, or with any supplemental remedies that we might try?  He clearly can't keep going this way, especially with the teen years just around the corner, but I'd like to avoid more pharmaceuticals if possible.

Thanks, Lili

 

 

 

Hi i am 13 and that sounds like exactly what i went through. They tried putting me on many medications but they just made me gain weight and have very bad mood swings. Well then they found a very good combination Zoloft, and Strattera. It has helped me alot and i just thought i would give you that suggestion!! Keep up the work and he will get better soon! 

Moms:

I came across your posts, thankfully my situation is not as severe as yours but I felt compelled to respond by telling you that I feel for you.  I can't imagine how difficult it must be for you daily.  I don't know the right answer but my heart and hopes are with you.  I know that during the time when they are turning pre teen and teen, their hormones go thru lots of changes.  For some of you this may be good, maybe for some making it worse.  Don't give up.  You are wonderful parents who care obviously deeply.  We are our childrens' biggest advocates.  God bless.

Hi Lili,  Please read the The Ritalin Fact Book, by Dr. Peter R. Breggin.  I can't believe a doctor would put a 10 year old on Prozac.  His medication may be causing his problems.  My son is 12 and me and my husband decided to take him off of all ADHD medication this year and let him be who God made him to be.  Just the side effects of adderall, concerta, and strattera (taken seperately) were enough for me.  I can't get over the meds these doctors are prescribing to our children.  I had to come the to the point of realizing my son was not 41 yrs old (my age) and I couldn't expect him to act like an adult.  Good Luck and keep me posted and please read this book.  Sandy pootnannysmom38054.5571643518

Hi I am also new to the forum.  I have a 9yr old son diagnosised with ADHD, ODD, and question of early onset Bi-Polar. He is on Concerta, Depakote, Prozac, and Rispedal.  Does it work? Somewhat, he is still having trouble at school with concentration and behavior.  He has spent a week in a Psychiatric hospital and has been evaluated once more and came very close to returning to the hospital.  He gets angry and irritable at times and feels the need to be in control all the time.  Depakote definitely made things better for him. 

It took me 8yrs to give into the docs regarding meds for his disorders and it is still all very new to me.  I do not want a zombie child but hope by listening to others going through what I am that I can learn better how to help him.  Post- med behavior is definitely better than pre-med but still room for improvement.