bp vs adhd or is it both???? | ADHD Information

What is a psycopharmocoligist?  I am impressed that you can spell that.  In my son I only see some of bp signs.  No cruelty or huge rages.  There is so much in common between adhd and bp.  We still have 2 more visits to finish the eval.  One next week and one the week after.  He also wants to do a rEEG.  Somehow it tells what meds a person is sensitive to.  Insurance won't cover it.  It is 675$.  If I can get reimbursed through my flex plan I will do it.  Otherwise can't.  I had to give the psychitrist a dep just to see us, even though we have ins.  Razzl, what are some of your son's symptoms?

Hi,

I am new here but I saw a psych and he seems to think my son may also be high functioning autism.  We also saw a psych a few months ago and he said ADHD and ODD, we don't go to him anymore because we had to change insurance and he isn't on it.  My son can be very aggressive toward other kids and sometimes his lack of empathy for other kids really worries me.  We are going to try seroquel in about 2 weeks for the aggression.  He is now on Adderall 10 mg, he was on focalin 5 mg for a few months.  I think he may be bipolar, because he always has to get even with other kids, and can rage.  I worry because he is only in 1st grade and just turned 7.  It just seems so young to have such problems.

 

Karen, if you can find a NeuroPsych that your insurance covers, that would be best. If your child has HFA, lack of empathy is just part of the disorder, although my own son did develop quite a lot of empathy. HFA kids tend to evolve and get better, but they do need serious school interventions. Meds won't change them as they are wired differently. My son is now med free. Meds can sometimes help certain symptoms with kids on the spectrum. My son's first diagnosis was ADHD/ODD, but that was wrong. Adderrall made him very aggressive, and he isn't normally like that. I hope you find your answer soon.

Hi,

The adderall has calmed him down and he is less aggressive but still more than he should be.  What is HFA ? 

 

I believe hfa is high functioning autism?  correct me if i am wrong.

Hi,

When you guys talk about high functioning autism do you mean aspergers syndrome ?  If you have hfa can you attend the public school system or is it better to be in a different setting ?  My son had a few bad episodes in school and the school social worker told us that unless I get him help with a psychiatrist he will no longer be able to be placed in the public school.  I kind of wonder if they will still want to place him in a different  school.

Karen

 

 

Hey Crazymama, maybe it's the name my son Cody age 12 is in the process of seeing a psycopharmocoligist, per order of his evaluation outcome.  They think he has Bipolar, along with his adhd, i only see some signs of the bp, and he doesn't rage all the time. His therapist, and i don't agree with all the outcome of his evaluation, so i am interested to see what this person comes up with. Good luck, to youYou're right about childhood bp. Totally different. Well, I wish you luck!thank you.  Does the stories he make up have anything to do with what he watches on television. I'm not a psychiatrist (and don't play one of TV), but I have bipolar and he sounds more like he may have high functioning autism than bipolar. My son used to say really violent things too, but never acted on it and he copies television shows all the time, even at 12. These HFA kids also tend to repeat themselves over and over again and not be able to move past one thought to another. Does he have transitioning problems? Social issues? Does he often seem "in his own world?" Does he have a good imagination? Ever seen a NeuroPsych? Can I have your social security number (just kidding). Talk to you later!

Let's see if I can answer all those questions.  No, the stories do not have to do with TV, they are usually to impress someone.  Cody has never said really violent things.  Yes, he has transitioning problems.  Social issues, but is not in his own world.    He has a good imagination, but I think that is age appropiate.  He has not seen a neuropsych as the closest one is 3-4 hrs away.  By the time we got there I do not think the test results would be accurate.  Pediatric bp manifests differently than adult bp.  I have read on high functioning autism and do really think it is that.

Sorry, no social security number.  lol

My son got a bp dx first and I still don't think he's ADHD---even though he has the symptoms----at school only.

He has definite mood cycles. He can go days being extremely irritable and will rage on/off all day. He's not a big rager though---as in length. He's very intense---but never longer than 45min. Most of the time it's less than 15 min. Only once has it been longer than 30 min. He will throw things, destroy things, attack his sisters or me. It just feels like all day---because it's every 10-15 min. something else will set him off.

 

His ADHD symptoms are inattention and impulsiveness at school. He isn't like that at home. But I don't require him to sit and do schoolwork with 17 other kids in the class. He does really well in small group or one on one.

He is impulsive at home-----he always has been. Drove our cars at age 3 and 4y. Jumps from trees, climbs to the top of the vans, etc. A few weeks ago---he jumped out or attempted to jump out of the van---3 times. He doesn't think.

He has other issues too so maybe some of his stuff is related to that. Expressive language disorder and high functioning autism and anxiety.

 

How old is your son?

He is 8.  He doesn't have the dangerous behavior.  He talks like he does, but he is all talk.  He is very cautious, but if you listen to him he has ridden bulls and all kinds of exciting things.  His adhd symptoms are very H, and very impulsive.  He interupts conversations, and annoys people to death.  He is very persistent.  In the car he wants me to look at something while i am driving, he will ask me over and over to look.  I tell him I have to look at the road,  and he still keeps asking.  He accuses me of hating him if I do not do what he wants.  I am not sure if this is normal kid trying to get his way, or if it is more.My son is being evaluated by a psychiatrist.  He has already mentioned the possibility of bp.  I know that several of you on here deal with adhd, bi polar or both of these issues.  I have done some reading also, but just want more info.  What are some behaviors that your bp kids do that are not related to adhd?  My son does not have huge rages, but is like a dog with a bone sometimes.  If he gets sent to his room, you can explain why and he will ask over and over and over what did I do?  there are times when his sister really pushes his buttons, and he will get pretty physical.  I just want what will help my son.  At the psy.  appt when he was asked how he feels, he said happy or very mad.  I want him to have more emotions than that.  He is on meds for adhd and they do help.  He is on Focalin xr 20mg.  Thanks

Hi i'm new here I can relate with just about all i have a 9 yr old son with ODD/HDHD/Depression.  His dad and i divorced last year things have just become worse I cant let him go with his father unsupervised. His dad dosent seem to understand his condition.  My son has been suspeneded from school 2x has had an assault ticket, diturbing the peace ticket, he stole a tow truck while he was with his dad for a weekend ( this is one reason he cant go with him).  He has been seeing a psychiatrist for 3 years now the depression set in at the time of the divorce. He is constantly defiant hits me and calls me names.  His dad doesnt contact him willingly this upsets my son as well.  I always thought of my self as a good parnet ive raised 4 older children who didnt have this disorder but my 9 yr old is taking a toll on me some times i want to give up.  We go to a store he wanders off all the time he wont listen.  He has been on Ridlin, stattera, adderall, now we are trying zoloft for the depression , concerta for the ADHD, and Equitrol.  Im running out of ways to disipline he is so defiant to me..........

Thanks hope some can find answers I know i do.

High functioning Autism (HFA) is a very common ADHD co-morbid and mimicker and can be either Aspergers Syndrome or certain kids with PDD-NOS. My son has PDD-NOS, but functions as well as most Aspies, but he had a speech delay so technically he can't have Aspergers. My son is in Special Ed half the day then goes to Science and Social Studies with an aide. Aspies can sometimes be manstreamed. Others need some special education. All kids on the spectrum should have school interventions for free--PT, OT, Speech, if needed, and Social Skills.