Hi,
My 5 yr old son is ADHD on 15mg of Adderol XR. He is still new to the meds - about 3 weeks and just this week we went up to 15mg.
He seems to be violent (he was very aggressive and violent before as well - I thought it would go away?) sensative - crying at every little thing and very sad - about anything. I was wondering if these are normal side effects? and will they subside?
Our next appointment is next week - so I'm hoping we can get this worked out.
Hi Tinkit, your son's reaction to Adderall is not normal. If he was violent and aggressive before stimulants, you may be looking at a disorder beyond ADHD. If you are not working with a board-certified child psyhiatrict, I would strongly urge you to make an appointment ASAP. You need to have him evaluated to rule in or out a mood disorder. I would also encourage you to make an appointment with a neuropsychologist to assess for many childhood disorders, including but not limited to ADHD. Before trying meds, I'd want to make sure you have the right diagnosis. Good luck.
my son takes Adderall and is not moody ...however, when he took ( ritalin, concerta or focalin---all in the same class of meds) he was moody and crying about little things...All kids respond differently to meds,... but I would take small moms advice because ADHD does not typically go hand in hand with violence or aggression...
good luck I am sure things will work out
If your son is violent and aggressive that's different than just moody. More is going on there than ADHD. I'd have him see a Psychiatrist (with the MD) or a NeuroPsych to check out childhood onset bipolar. Stimulants only make it worse. That is not a normal way to behave for only ADHD. Good luck. A few links for you:
www.conductdisorders.com (site is down for maintenance but should be up next week sometime--this one covers children like your son--all problems)
I have to suggest the same, I'm sorry.
Anger/mood swings/violence, they do not accompany ADHD.
Is he raging? By this - the question I'm asking you is, is he not able to control his anger, frustration, whatever and then the reaction turns into a "meltdown" or "temper tantrum" - and if so, how long does this last?
Is he destructive?
I would, too, have him given a 2nd opinion, or seen by a neuropsychologist if you can find one (try the local Children's Hospital). It sounds, just to me, like he has more going on than ADHD.
My 9 year old was very violent and angry. He was originally ADHD/ODD. Turns out, almost 6 years later, he is Bipolar.
He's not "raging". He just hits when he gets really upset or when he wants your attention and your talking to someone else.
The "mood swing" thing is more like when he dosn't get his way he is "crushed" very sad and crys alot. He also crys alot if something happens to a toy or something he is doing. This never happend before the meds.
Overall he seems very sad.
Tinkit, please talk to your doctor about your son's reactions on Monday. These are not normal side effects. Stimulants, by the way, can have a depressive effect on some children.