How do I know it really is ADHD | ADHD Information

I have a 7 year old son, he has always been a very challenging boy. I have been searching for help in how to deal with his extreme behaviour over the years. At long last I found a child psychologist who listens and they referred him onto a psychiatrist who has come back with the diagnosis of, ADHD, anxiety, and a little of OCD., and they have suggested to start him on some meds. At first I was really relieved that he actually has a problem that explains his behaviour, but after reading info on ADHD, I don;t really know if he has it, he doesn't seem to fit the "typical" type. I explained this to the psychologist and he seems to trust what the psych has sais, and that although a pediatric referral will be needed, he believes they will not question the psych, as she is quite reputable. I will describe some of his behaviours, just cause I need some help to understand it a little more. He has always been very difficult, restless as a baby, very stubborn, not able to amuse himself at all, unable to "play" normal boys things and toys, very aggressive to his siblings, constantly hurting them, has huge outbursts of anger, hits and kicks me and my husband, says he is going to kill us, or his older sister, seems very unhappy, argumentative, destructive, etc, etc. Does this behaviour seem to fit into the area of ADHD?? I really need some help from others who have been down this road. I forgot to add, my son is VERY loud, very bossy, very controlling, hates his sisters, but can be an angel in public. He kicks and punches holes in the walls, has broken every door in our house, has tried to drown his 6 year old sister, constantly picks on his 3 year old and 6 year old sister. He is very irresponsible, always thinks he is justified in his behaviour. to me it sounds like more than ADHD.Our situation has been somewhat similar. My
second son has just has an ADHD diagnosis based
on outbursts. According to the doctor, this results
from a lack of impulse control (in other words, he
has the hypercative part of ADHD). It sounds like your
son may also have trouble with impulse control.

However, considering your description, I am
surprised that he wan't diagnosed with ODD as well.

My ds (7yo) has very similar symptoms and the dr. had us try concerta to see it would help.  She said if it didn't help we would go from there.  She suggested he might have ODD (Opositional defiant Disorder).  We have had great success with the concerta so we didn't have to do more.  My ds has alot of your ds' symptoms with the exeption of not being able to keep it together at school.  My niece was similar at that age and she has mostly outgrown it - she was never medicated. 

Just my $.02,

Liz

Sounds like more than ADHD to me too, I would get a full Psychiatric evaluation. Thankyou all for your input, and I am glad he is not the only one out there like this, for years i have stressed over him and worried he will grow up to be some psycho killer, and all the docs say he is a "normal" boy. The psychologist did say it sound a bit like conduct disorder also, although they say he is very complex, it is not just one thing alone. He has had an evaluation with the child pyschiatrist and she said she believes it is not apsergers or autism.
I thought that because of the lack of control it would be the impulsive type of ADHD, not the hyperactive type. Do any of your kids not act up so much at school??? I do not believe he will outgrow it, I think one of us will end up dead!! THis is why they have recommended he go on strattera, to get his anger and violence under control so that we can then work on his behaviour issues.