School Troubles | ADHD Information

I have a five year old daughter who was recently diagnosed with ADHD/ODD. She has been put on 10 mg of Adderal XR, and we have seen no change. As a matter of fact she seems to have gotten worse. At school on a daily basis she is running out of her kindergarten classroom and running through the school. At home it is not much better. I am at my wits end. Any advice?

Here's my advice from my experience as the mother of a 12-year-old son with ADHD and anxiety and a 10-year-old daughter with suspected bipolar disorder. First, you need to have your daughter evaluated by a good child psychiatrict and a neuropsychologist. A child psychiatrist can rule in or out bipolar disorder (bipolar disorder can look like severe ADHD). A neuropsychologist will run tests that evaluate the cognitive and psychological functioning of a child. These test results form the basis for diagnosing many childhood disorders.

Second, you should know that any time a child reacts poorly to stimulants or antidepressants, there's a good chance your child doesn't have ADHD. In your shoes, I would take her off all meds until you get a proper diagnosis. Not only are the meds not helping her, but giving her the wrong meds can cause even more harm in the long run.

A Cautionary Note

Effective treatment depends on appropriate diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. There is some evidence that using antidepressant medication to treat depression in a person who has bipolar disorder may induce manic symptoms if it is taken without a mood stabilizer. In addition, using stimulant medications to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or ADHD-like symptoms in a child with bipolar disorder may worsen manic symptoms. While it can be hard to determine which young patients will become manic, there is a greater likelihood among children and adolescents who have a family history of bipolar disorder. If manic symptoms develop or markedly worsen during antidepressant or stimulant use, a physician should be consulted immediately, and diagnosis and treatment for bipolar disorder should be considered.

Good luck!

Wifes problem doesn't know all family history of disorders. I also know of 0.Try supplements they help cause we all lack these cause of toxins in food and environment. Try healthstore ones better ones. Read alternative board here. All stuff here great imformation.

She was put on the meds about a month and a half ago. Something else that concerns me is that she doesnt sleep well. This is a problem that we have been having since she was about 2. Her pediatrician is going to have her put through some sleep tests to see if she has sleep apnea.

She was diagnose by a clinical psychologist. We are taking her next week to see a psychiatrist. My husband and I visited with him already and he says that it definitly sounds like she could have a "mood disorder". He is going to see her and possibly adjust her diagnosis. Depression and Bipolar disorder is found on my dads side of the family so it is definitely a possibility.

Children with early onset bi-polar disoder do experience a decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue. Here is a site that lists the symptoms, as well as a great site on bp disorder:




	School Troubles I have a five year old daughter who was recently diagnosed with ADHD/ODD. She has been put on 10 mg of Adderal XR, and we have seen no change. As a matter of fact she seems to have gotten worse. At school on a daily basis she is running out of her kindergarten classroom and running through the school. At home it is not much better. I am at my wits end. Any advice? Selby1017 [QUOTE=selby1017] I have a five year old daughter who was recently diagnosed with ADHD/ODD. She has been put on 10 mg of Adderal XR, and we have seen no change. As a matter of fact she seems to have gotten worse. At school on a daily basis she is running out of her kindergarten classroom and running through the school. At home it is not much better. I am at my wits end. Any advice? how long ago was she put on the meds? Selby1017 [/QUOTE] What kind of doctor diagnosed her? What kind of doctor is prescribing meds? Here's my advice from my experience as the mother of a 12-year-old son with ADHD and anxiety and a 10-year-old daughter with suspected bipolar disorder. First, you need to have your daughter evaluated by a good child psychiatrict and a neuropsychologist. A child psychiatrist can rule in or out bipolar disorder (bipolar disorder can look like severe ADHD). A neuropsychologist will run tests that evaluate the cognitive and psychological functioning of a child. These test results form the basis for diagnosing many childhood disorders. Second, you should know that any time a child reacts poorly to stimulants or antidepressants, there's a good chance your child doesn't have ADHD. In your shoes, I would take her off all meds until you get a proper diagnosis. Not only are the meds not helping her, but giving her the wrong meds can cause even more harm in the long run. Here is a warning from the National Institute of Mental Health: A Cautionary Note Effective treatment depends on appropriate diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. There is some evidence that using antidepressant medication to treat depression in a person who has bipolar disorder may induce manic symptoms if it is taken without a mood stabilizer. In addition, using stimulant medications to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or ADHD-like symptoms in a child with bipolar disorder may worsen manic symptoms. While it can be hard to determine which young patients will become manic, there is a greater likelihood among children and adolescents who have a family history of bipolar disorder. If manic symptoms develop or markedly worsen during antidepressant or stimulant use, a physician should be consulted immediately, and diagnosis and treatment for bipolar disorder should be considered. Good luck! Wifes problem doesn't know all family history of disorders. I also know of 0.Try supplements they help cause we all lack these cause of toxins in food and environment. Try healthstore ones better ones. Read alternative board here. All stuff here great imformation. Brent38630.4658564815Not getting a restful night's sleep can cause all the ADHD symptoms and a dx which isn't accurate. She should have the sleep situation taken care of before you go for further dx Brig She was put on the meds about a month and a half ago. Something else that concerns me is that she doesnt sleep well. This is a problem that we have been having since she was about 2. Her pediatrician is going to have her put through some sleep tests to see if she has sleep apnea. SmallMom She was diagnose by a clinical psychologist. We are taking her next week to see a psychiatrist. My husband and I visited with him already and he says that it definitly sounds like she could have a "mood disorder". He is going to see her and possibly adjust her diagnosis. Depression and Bipolar disorder is found on my dads side of the family so it is definitely a possibility. Thanks. Children with early onset bi-polar disoder do experience a decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue. Here is a site that lists the symptoms, as well as a great site on bp disorder: http://www.dbsalliance.org/info/bipolar.html http://www.bpkids.org/site/PageServer	Enter Your Email below to claim your Free Book