Introducing My Family | ADHD Information
Ugh, I typed this long thing out and then accidently clicked on a link and it erased... just my luck! Anyway....
I've been obsessively reading through these forums over the past week and thought I would finally stop lurker and say hello.
I am a homeschooling mom of a 6.5yo DD and a 2.5yo DS. My DD was diagnosed with Anxiety about 8 months ago and we participated in Play Therapy with her until recently (our decision to stop for now, as we weren't sure it was helping much.)
Our therapist recommended that we take DD to see a psychiatrist for possible medication and so we did. She was given Prozac, which within about 5 days made a huge difference in her sleeping at night (had been coming in to our room for years, almost nightly - I could go on and on about this, but will refrain!) As the dose went up, I felt her behaviour was getting wilder and she was even more difficult/rude/emotional in a lot of ways. Seemed to make the hyperness worse - so we backed the dose down a bit. Sleeping through the night is now an issue again.
Psych decided that we are probably looking at ADHD along with Anxiety, and prescibed Adderall XR, and she is now up to a 10mg dose as of today. Yesterday (on 7.5) I thought I saw the a glimpse of hopeful behaviour, but today has been a bit rocky again. Maybe because she's not sleeping well again though? Hard to say. I feel lost.
I'm actually not even sure why we are still giving her Prozac, since the Psych at first said "let's just admit that it's not working." Hmmm. I know she probably needs something for the anxiety to go along with the Adderall though.
DD is not the "typical" (whatever that is, I know!) girl with ADHD - she is hyper, wild, loud, impulsive, has difficulty reading other's social cues - and by that I mostly mean she doesn't seem to understand how to approach ppl without getting in their space, touching, etc. She was always called "outgoing" as a toddler/preschooler but it is clearly more than that. She is incredibly smart, reads at a 3rd grade level, and is active and funny. She is also difficult, emotional, aggressive, and stubborn! :) It's a lovely combo!
Sorry if this is TMI, I really only meant to say hello! 
-Christina
Hello and welcome to the board! I also have a dd who is 7. Your dd sounds like a wonderful little girl. Sorry the Prozac isn't working for you. Hopefully you'll find the right med combo, but it may take several trials before you find it. Good luck!Welcome to the board my duaghter has moderate to severe ADHD and ODD and is currently being screened for anxiety now and OCD alll co-mordities of ADHD. If your child has ADHD the anxiety is most likely a co-mordity they never run alone from what I have been told. Good Luck Jill
I would definitely see the psychiatrist to explore options beyond ADHD. There are mimickers, the most common ones being early onset bipolar (if the child's behaviors are too off-the-wall/violent/rageful for ADHD) or high functioning autism (if the child is so socially clueless that it's scary, plus she doesn't understand when you try to explain it to her). Both are usually first thought to be ADHD. Here are a few links about those disorders. Both Prozac (any antidepresant) and stimulants don't help bipolar or PDD, and can make bipolar kids even more aggressive. Good luck.
www.childbrain.com/pddq6.shtml
(This is a very accurate test for PDD's)
www.conductdisorders.com (These are for parents of kids with ALL disorders)
MomWI38917.723287037[QUOTE=MomWI]I would definitely see the psychiatrist to explore options beyond ADHD. There are mimickers, the most common ones being early onset bipolar (if the child's behaviors are too off-the-wall/violent/rageful for ADHD) or high functioning autism (if the child is so socially clueless that it's scary, plus she doesn't understand when you try to explain it to her). Both are usually first thought to be ADHD. Here are a few links about those disorders. Both Prozac (any antidepresant) and stimulants don't help bipolar or PDD, and can make bipolar kids even more aggressive. Good luck.
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We have and are still keeping bipolar in mind, however I wouldn't say she has ever "raged." She does get mad, speak rudely, slam a door, or toss down a toy - but she doesn't really inflict any injury, etc. when she's angry. Cannot imagine she has PDD, after looking over the links you posted. She makes friends, but can seem overwhelming to most kids because she is just so energetic and sort of in-your-face about it. :) Thank you for the welcome and help!
[QUOTE=stardust10]DD is not the "typical" (whatever that is, I know!) girl with ADHD - she is hyper, wild, loud, impulsive, has difficulty reading other's social cues - and by that I mostly mean she doesn't seem to understand how to approach ppl without getting in their space, touching, etc. She was always called "outgoing" as a toddler/preschooler but it is clearly more than that. She is incredibly smart, reads at a 3rd grade level, and is active and funny. She is also difficult, emotional, aggressive, and stubborn! :) It's a lovely combo!
[/QUOTE]
My dd is the same and dr told me she has book example (tipical) ADHD.
WELLCOME!
Just wanted to say Welcome