help and advise | ADHD Information

It does sound like bi polar to me.  My ex husband is bi polar and it is very difficult to diagnose and treat.   My ex would not stay on the meds because when he felt better he would say I don't need them anymore.  In the end of our relationship I told him no meds no relationship.  He decided to self medicate instead. I think alot of therapy is a must.

I haven't had time to read this whole thread, but I wanted to make sure that it's mentioned that intense anger can be a symptom of a mood disorder.  You don't have to seem depressed (as in down) to have depression.  I saw in the first couple of replies that people mentioned the possibility of bipolar disorder.  I'd also make sure he is evaluated for possible anxiety disorder.

If it would be possible, I'd keep a log of times that he seems to be doing well and what's going on in those circumstances, and times he's not doing well and what's happening in those circumstances.  A log might help you see some patterns that you hadn't realized.

My heart goes out to you.  It must be so painful to see your ds struggling so much.

He has seen a psychiatrist but it doesn't really seem to make a difference, we talk they listen, they do give advice which we follow and if it doesn't work that well then that's it really.  What is co-morbid is that more than one thing wrong.I am no dr. by any means but i did work in an rcf with MI residents, the symptoms sound some like bipolar (which I and my oldest son also both suffer with) but they also sound alot like borderline personality dissorder. Im not sure if i seen it and if you said I apologise for missing it but has he seen anyone to be evaluated?I think maybe he needs to be evaluated again, i cant remeber if he ever was evaluated when he was about 8, thankyou for the info i will definatly look into it.

[QUOTE=debi-doughnut]He has seen a psychiatrist but it doesn't really seem to make a difference, we talk they listen, they do give advice which we follow and if it doesn't work that well then that's it really.  What is co-morbid is that more than one thing wrong.[/QUOTE]

Yes that is exactly what it means.

I am so glad you are going to have him reevaluated! That will eliminate things, as well as address things!

You may also want to find a new psych. Mine also prescibes his meds. Now mind you my son is going on 10. So he really doesn't talk about much. Hopefully when he is older, he will. DS is also very laid back. NEver tell son anyone for fear that HE will get in trouble!! I personally blame the school for  putting that fear in him!

His psychopharm even tries to give him ideas for social interaction, so he does do more than just sit there and listen. He actually works at a hospital for both adults and children who need pschological help. He is really into it. I remember him talking about working Christmas Day and being excited seeing the children opening up their presents. It really touched me!

So you need to find a doctor who is into helping people, including your son!! Ask your son's primary care doctor. That is who told us about our doctor!

best wishes!!

BEth

I thought bi polar was a depression is that true, he just gets angry sometimes for no real reason, but mostly if you say no to something he wants, he is 6 foot tall and looks older than his 15 years and i find it a bit scary now.  He can go days behaving quite normaly and then nothing i say or do is right ,he continually swears at me and throws tantrums.  I always try to talk to him and he is shown a lot of love and also has two sisters older than himself that are always there for him, also his brother in laws.  We go abroad every year but it worries me that if he does something  in another country there laws are different  but he thinks he can get away with anything as long as he lies about or passes it to me to sort out.

I believe that bi polar is like a roller coaster, highs and lows, always unexpected. I believe the person has no idea of what to expect either.

Your poor son!

Definetely reevaluate for his sake!

I do know that once puberty sets in, any meds being taken will need adjusting. So when you did try the medicine route, puberty may have been begining for him!

 

We talk all the time about what makes him angry, we have tried loads of different stratergies at his Alternative corriculam school and at home, i do work very closly to the schools he goes to .

Even at the schools he seems to do well one moment, and the next everything ghanges.

 He is at the moment doing a brick laying and a machanics short course and seems to love it, but still gets angry at school, throws and punches things, gets verbaly abusive and gets sent home on a regular basis.

Even that what you just described doesn't sound right. There is something wrong. Definetely consult a professional. Does his pediatrician know about this? I even wonder if you may want to make sure he is medically ok?!

I feel so bad for your son, he is definetely suffering!

Do i just go to the doctor about bi polar, what process do i need to follow.  Thankyou for youre help, i would never have thought of bi polar it is worth a try, all i want is my son to be happy all the time and for us all to be a happy familly.   

My son also has a habit of mixing with ll the wrong people, but i think this is due to the kind off corriculam he attends, i do try not to judge them as i believe we should all choose our own friends and i think by telling him he cant hang around with certain people this will make him see them all the more, i just keep a very close eye on him.

You will need to see a pediatric neurologist I believe. Call his doctor and ask for a referral of one in your area that they recommend.

I agree, it IS worth a try, it can always be eliminated. The specialist you see may find that it is something else.

I have read that adhd'ers can end up with the wrong crowd due to self esteem issues.

Nothing sad, abusive, etc. has happened in his life that he is keeping a secret has there? I just want to make sure that he isn't keeping a secret of something that happened that has made him angry and he isn't talking about "IT"!

 

He doesnt understand the consequences of the things that he does, i know that this is a condition of A.D.H.D(or so i have read) and that his brain works differently.  It has been very hard for me with friends, relatives and even my partner saying "He just needs disaplin" they blame me for being to soft, but if there was a punishment(grounded etc) for everything that  bad he did, it would mean 24 hours of it, it would be never ending.

 

I have to wonder, only because you mention he does not understand consequences, could your son have a form of aspberger's? It is a mild form of autism, high functioning. I do NOT want you to get nervous. There are some very famous people who have it, Bill Gates has been included in the list I have been told.

I know that they can be prone to outbursts, have no understanding of consequences, get bullied, thought of as outcasts, become obsessed with a certain subjects. Does that sound like him?

Oh, and they also are very smart!!

Just an idea, I am NOT a doctor!! Just a mother of an adhd boy!!

No not that i know of, he has been very difficult from birth, babys normally sleep all the time when first born but my son never slept for more than 20 mins day or night, he was always awake screaming wanting attention. Midwife and doctors took no notice, he didnt sleep more than 2 hour until he was about 4-5, now he sleeps very well and eats very well too. 

He could never consantrate , t.v playing with toys etc. He just played with his little pedal car all the time.  He had trouble from the first day at school, he didnt like being told what he could and couldnt do.   He started stealing from the other childrens trays if he wanted it he just took it, we thought we dealt with this ,but it still seems to be going on.

No we have been told he hasnt got aspergers, he has a learning difficuly.   Its good to comunicate with someone who understands, how old is you're son and do you have the problems as i do.

My son is almost 10, and has severe adhd as well as sensory integration and a speech delay. They thought autism when he was 2! I diagnosed him myself from reading when he was almost 3. Had him professionally diagnosed when he was almost 5. He has been on meds since almost 7, regret not starting immediately. he really suffered.

He is on 72mgs of concerta and 1 mg of guanfacine. He is compassionate, kind hearted, just extremely impulsive. He got labeled, bullied, etc. He doesn't tell on anyone, just takes it, then tells me and we go over to the school!!

I have been around the world I feel since he was in my tummy kicking away. He also wasn't a sleeper! But now he is!! LOL

Debi I think the type of doctor you need sounds like a Psychiatrist not a ped neurologist (our neurologist will not handle any type of mental illness such as depression or anxiety---she said that a Psychiatrist is better equipt to understand the meds that will work for co-morbid conditions).   Sometimes the ADHD meds make things worse especially if there is a co-morbid condition.  Good luck to you and your son, I hope things get better quick.joemom39204.2058912037He has been going to see a psyciatrist and pyscologist for a long time at C.H.A.M.S, he has tried 10 different medications over the years, none worked some made no difference and some made him worseeven stratera. He is not depressed just very angry, he wants everything here and now, if his computer is slow he looses his temper big time, or if i am on the phone and he wants to use it right away , he will swear and shout at me with no thought of who or why someone is on the other end of the phone. But today and last night he has been polite and behaving fine, but it doesnt last long and it is like waiting for a ticking time bomb to go off. If we go out for a meal for examlpe and he is bored or doesnt like his food or anything he will loose his temper swear at us and others looking on until we have to leave or get thrown out.  He has kicked my car, thrown countless mobiles etc at our front door,because i have told him i have no money to give him when he has asked.  I also have to deal with police, angry parents and friends and have had damage done to my home because people are angry with something my son has done to them. is ther anyone in the same position out there, is there any happy future for my son and me.

What you describe sounds like bi polar. They are up and down, mad, happy, it never lasts and changes.

I would have your son re-evaluated and start over with the medications. If he has bipolar that would explain why adhd medication hasn't worked in the past.

Is there a reason that he should be so angry? Have you tried talking about what sets him into a rage or just an angry mood?

You obviously care and are concerned for your son's future, but something needs to be done by a professional. You certainly don't want him in trouble with the police, which could ruin his future.

My son has A.D.H.D and O.D.D he has been kicked out of every school he has been to he is now 15 years, no-one likes him including my partner who has taken a lot of abuse from him because he does not like my partner telling him what to do ie; having friends in or having money etc if he has been naughty. i have had 15 years of living a nightmare, i love my son but his anger, verbal abuse, stealing, lying and court appearances have taken there toll on my health. He hates my partner and vice versa, he has srolen from my partner and is very abusive to him, i feel stuck in the middle always keeping calm and mediating between them, i am always there for my son and always will be but things sre very hard. is there anyone out there with the same problems or anyone thatr can advise me.

Are you working with any docotors and/or counselors?

I am so sorry for what is going on. Your poor son, as well as you. He must be so sad.

Your son has been diagnosed, but is he on any medication? Do you think the diagnosis is correct????

I would contact a psychopharmacologist to try to both find the medicine to help him, as well as counsel him. This is a doctor who is a psychiatrist, as well as prescribes medication.

You may also want to re-evaluate him first. I wonder if he is bipolar. If so, you can NOT medicate with adhd meds, that only exasperates the bipolar. The bipolar needs to be treated first, if that is the diagnosis.

He definitely sounds depressed. I feel bad for him, he need to get some help. His life will only get worse!

Keep us posted!

Beth