Does your son have a diagnosis? Is he currently on any meds? Is he getting any therapy/counseling?
It sounds like the counseling at least would be a good thing for him to help learn how to better control his impulses,etc. and for you to help you to cope with the stressors in your life.
If he is on meds, when was the dosage last checked and/or changed?
Have a ((((hug))) from me and I hope that you and your family can get some help soon.
Yes, he was diagnosed ADHD in 8th grade and has been taking Strattera since. His medicine was just "upped" to 60mg. We tried therapy, but stopped when he was doing better and he now refuses to go, saying he doesn't need it. I've been looking at ODD and wonder if he's not got that as well? Thanks for your kind words. I really need them todayAre you happy with Strattera?? Probably he needs a change of meds. I was told by the doc Strattera works only for 70% of patients. My son also takes Strattera and we did a dose adjustment just last week, so I still don't know if it works for my son.
Wish you luck and also have a hug
I am totally losing it and need some help/reassurance. I feel like my world is crumbling, my marriage is crumbling and that I am the only friend my son has. Like I am the only one who understands him. He is 16, very handsome, has a great sense of humor and is quite intelligent. But...he has very few friends, girls are not interested in him and teachers all but give up on him. My husband has had it with his bad manners, his anger problems and his impulsiveness. He doesn't want to be around him. (He is step-dad, we've been together 4 years now). My son idolized him and does not understand why he now pushes away. He wants so much to be liked but I cannot seem to get him to understand (or accept responsibility for) his behavior is alot of the reason. WHAT CAN I DO? I'm a mess today, feel at the end of my rope and feel so bad for my son. Hang in there. and I would really see about a med change or something. Sorry about your hubby. Hope you can get it worked out. Son needs both of you. I hope your husband can see this. I know how hard it is! I don't give my dd meds on weekends and by the end of the weekend I sometimes wonder if I want to be here myself. She gets so hard to deal with. But she eats and that is what I need her to do. since she doesn't eat very well weekdays.Hi and welcome! I feel so bad for your son. Mine is younger but has been around the world and back in 9 short years! My DS also took straterra IN ADDITION to concerta. My son has such H in his ADHD, that the psychopharm who prescribes for him through our conversations thought that DS might be more successful having a stimulant in his system ALL the time. At first things were fine, no real issues. However, after a few months, my son seemed to be depressed, he would say I want to kill myself and die and he was only 8 at the time! We immediately stopped the stimulant and he has never said that again!
From what I have been told by our doctor, Straterra is best for those with more of an ADD type than ADHD. My son is combination with a lot of H!!
I just wonder how straterra is really helping him! Why don't you call the prescibing doctor and revist medication.
My son has been on Concerta along with guanfacine for the past 3 years almost and doing so much better! He tried Aderall and that didn't like my son AT ALL! He became angry and psychotic, eyes all dialated, as if he was high to be honest with you! Pediatrician luckily witnessed it and put an end to that med. Concerta likes my son best, at least at the age of 9!
Puberty also changes medication results mothers and doctors have told me due to the horomone and growth changing in the body.
Start with a call to your doctor first thing Monday morning, and what about a conversation with your husband in regards to all this and maybe have him spend some one-on-one time with your son, as a favor for the THREE of you. Remind him how much your son looks up to him and wants to be liked!
Please keep us informed!
Regards!
I would definatley say that his medication needs to be revisited if he is having all of these problems and concerns with social and education issues...your post sounds like a parent of an unmedicated ADHD child, so the med must not be doing enough.
Just a suggestion, and if your current doc won't try another drug, I would definately consider finding a new doc!
Good luck and keep posting and reading the boards. They have been a great support and help to me and many others.
(((hugs)))
Why don't you sit down with him and have a heart to heart and tell him that you are worried that he has very few friends and about his relationship with his stepfather. Maybe you can get him to reconsider the therapy, or get him to attend a social skills class. Ask him if he is happy. Tell him that perhaps the therapist was not the right one. A good one is hard to find.I would definitely consider a change of meds to see if that is exacerbating his behavior.
Something else you can try is a supplement in addition to the meds. Omegas have had a positive effect on the behavior of many kids. You can read up on them in the alternatives to medicine section here.
Hang in there. Things can get better if your dr is willing to work with you.