So angry | ADHD Information

Gwen, check those meds! It sounds like the dose is wrong or the medication itself is wrong. My son is on concerta and takes guanfacine for overstimulation. There are a number of other meds for your son to be on. He should'nt be so angry at such a young age. You know the meds are playing into that, especially the bedtime issue!

After I posted last night I thought about my son's med experience. My son also had trouble with adderall xr. He lasted "maybe" 3 days. His teacher was helping me with his meds, she would let me know how his day went. She told me he was aggitated, getting in other kids faces, mind you they are only 6 and in first grade. He had never acted that way before, and she knew it! He went to the pediatrician that afternoon and completely freaked out! The doctor removed him from the med and sent us to a psychopharmacologist. His teacher allowed him to go to school since it was almost summer break and promised me he wouldn't lose recess's or suffer any consequences since we were having med problems. She was so awesome as a teacher.

Call the doctor and tell him what is happening with your son. The medication should be making his day's successful, without these "side effects"!

And still visit the possibility of having him evaluated for "something" else. It may only be these medication! But you want to rule anything out now. Remember, if you treat a child who has bipolar with adhd medications, the meds will make their bipolar worse. But if you treat the bipolar and then come back and treat the adhd, everything will be fine!

Beth

BETHANN39271.8536226852Hi, yes he is on meds, he's on a slow release stim, 'Equasium' its a amphetamin based one, he seemed to do really well on it for a few months, he is certainly better at school, although, I still get the odd day when I'm asked if he has had his meds, as he is not concentrating and off in his own world, his behaviour has always gone in cycles of manageble tantrums fore months to completly unmanageble, and thinking about calling a doctor, then he steatles, thats why he has only recently been dix, because up untill the last 6mths or so, he has always come out the other side, just with extreamly strict parenting, mind you its been exhausting, so when at last we took him to the doc through shear frustration, it was a relief, especially as we had already done everything, except meds that they could surgest.  The meds initially were like a breath of freash air, and Josh was so much calmer, the only problems being that in the last 4-5 weeks he has become increasingly aggressive at bed time, much of it was due to him not sleeping, but even on sleeping tabs he is still taking up to 2hrs to settle and huge tantrums, many times ending with him locked in his bedroom, with him trying to break the door down, I'm amazed that there are no holes in it.  We are due to see the doc on Friday, and I will be discussing these problems with him.  As for the bipolar, the more I read, the more I want to discuss it with his doc, as his temper is appaling, and like I said he is just so angry, at nothing, he either falls apart in a complete sobbing wreck, or he starts getting aggressive, and abusive, at the slightest little thing.
oh opps, just realised how much I have written, sorry, just got on a role.
Thanks for your support guys, its a help to know your there.  Amphetamines can be tricky. Although doctors typcially start out with stimulants (because they work well for ADHD kids) , they're often not the best choice due to a variety of reasons, mainly loss of appetite, anxiety, and other emotional issues.

It may be time for you to discuss this with your doctor and request another type of drug.

Our Jacob is on his 4th med type. First was Ritalin, then Adderall XR, then straight Adderall, and now Straterra. Each drug had it's benefits and it's problems too. Basically, were still trying to find the right treatment plan. So far, it's been one year since Jacob was dx and although we feel as though we've made progress, were still in the beginning stages.

Our Jacob also has ODD issues. We have had our fair share of terrible days and nights. One year ago he was suicidal (we had to hide the knives), he threatened to kill us, and the school feared that he might do serious harm to others. Meds have helped a little with that, but it was advised to us that counseling and group therapy was the best route to treat ODD. It's been a long time since he's threatened to hurt himself or others, but he still battles the oppositional and defiant attitudes. That's where counseling has helped.

Another thing that I think might be a problem with Jacob is his growth spurts. When he has a growth spurt, it's almost like the meds stop working (I'm positive that something hormonal is going on that affects his brain.). There's really nothing that can be done to correct that, we just try to get through those times.

A lot may be going on with your son, both physically as well as psychologically. Some needs to be treated right away, some you just have to bear with for a while. As you continue to learn about ADHD and your son, you'll gain much wisdom. Use that wisdom to do what you feel is right for yourself as well as your ds.Dad in Akron39271.7365856481

either way you are not blowing it out of porportion. This is your child and you obviously want him happy, not angry and saying horrible things about himself. It is time for a call to the doctor I would think. As everyone says above if he is on meds it may be time for a change, if he is not it may time to think about it or work out his therapies.

hi
My 9 yr old ADD/ODD child is always angry, and we don't know why, niether does he, he also has very low self esteam, and confidence, although he is extreamly cleaver, he will get upset, and start saying things like I wish I could kill myself, or I hate my self, is this normal? I am really uncomfortable with this as it is obviously very worrying, the last thing I want is for him to become suisidal...or am I blowing this out of all proportion?
Any words of  wisdom greatfully recieved!
This kind of behavior/thought process sounds like ADD/ODD. It could also be a side-affect from medication. Is he on meds?

I agree 100% with Dad in Akron. My son talked like that when he took stratterra.

I ask the same question, any meds involved? do you think he has a co-morbid condition, maybe bi polar?

 

I hate to be redundant but I beg the same question-is your child on any medications?  We actually had the same thing happen BEFORE my son started Concerta.  Before he was medicated he said he was stupid that he doesn't have a brain and he hated himself he would bang his head on the floor.  He said he wasn't a child he was an alien.  Since being on Concerta his confidence is great and he has never said any of that disturbing stuff again.  His medicine helped him concentrate, make and keep friends and just function better.

Let us know

ang