Need help for my child’s anger | ADHD Information

Hi,

My 6 yr. old has been taking Strattera for about 3 months. While it has
helped with his hyperactivity/focus, he continues to have an anger
problem, which he has had for the past couple of years. I don't know if
the Strattera has made his anger worse or not. He is also very
disrespectful, mostly directed to me. Here are some examples:

- Throughout the day, he tells me what a bad mommy I am, he never
wants to see me again, he "feels so angry at me".   He yells at his brothers
and is constantly up and down with his moods.
- He speaks disrespectfully to me constantly. "I told you I don't want it!
I'm not going to obey you! Don't touch me! Get your hands off of me
(when I'm trying to be affectionate with him)

He doesn't get very angry with his father (mostly me) and yet I am the one
who does EVERYTHING for this child.   I'm not a yeller (mostly calm), heap
praise on him, try to catch him being good, am positive, etc. etc. I try to
listen to what he's telling me and to change what I can do to help the
situation. Clearly he's crying out for help.

I am trying to do the best job I can, but what I do even more to help him?
My relationship with him is very tense and it breaks my heart. Aren't
these the years when they want Mommy and are close to you?

I haven't yet tried any type of play therapy, etc. and am wondering if
something like this might help? I just don't know what kind of doctor I
should try to see for this and to rule out any other underlying disorders
(bipolar?). I just don't know how to proceed at this point.

Is this normal with ADHD kids or something more?

Thank you so much.


Wow, he sounds like my jd use to and he is bipolar. That said, it doesn't mean like he is bipolar. We also had anger issues with strattera. I know every kid is different but I would defianetly get him more help. My sons see an ot twice a week, a skills trainer once a week, his play therapist one a week and a teacher comes over twice a week. He sees a councelor and a psych plus his pedi. He is doing better. I hope this helps.That is what I keep reading with ODD or anger issues - once the child HAS to deal with life they become less angry towards others and start owning up to their responsibility.
Weird that once you don't have to nag them everyday to pick-up their room, brush their teeth, finish eating, don't be mean to a sibling, pay attention, follow instructions, etc....that they finally start doing what you always wanted them to do.

What is his Strat does, and what is his weight? Our son, now 19, had similar problems when he was growing up.  During his teenage years, he would at times become violent.  He was finally diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder (mild bipolar), and ODD.  He was put on  Respirdal to help with controlling his anger when he was about 15.  Although some of his underlying symptoms were still present, this medication definitiely took the edge off the anger management problems.  It made him much more manageable, and he was much more accepting of the therapy.  He discontinued the medication when he moved out on his own just after his 18th birthday, and he has done very well without it.  Having to take care of himself and accept responsibility for his own actions have been the best medicine for him!Yes, Strat at too low of a dose can cause mood problems. His target is 25-37 mgs, so he is too low and will probably see side effects. Thanks for your replies. I really appreciate your support. To answer your
question, my son weighs 47 lbs. and is currently taking 18 mg. of Strattera. I
spoke to my doctor about increasing the dosage because I know you should
be at a certain target does, but he said if it doesn't seem like my son needs
it, then he wouldn't. He's doing fine with focus/hyperactivity at that dosage,
but the anger continues. Could it be that he will continue to have more
anger until he reaches target dose?   And just as a reminder, he was angry
before taking Strattera.

Thanks.Anger has more to do with feelings sometimes.  Why not also consider counseling?  Usually, the idea is to have as little medication as possible to get the desired outcome.  (No point in taking more than is required.)  However, sometimes they add some other med to your current med, or change dosages/types altogether if you aren't seeing the desired results.  (and to me having someone focused but pissed isn't a desired result.) 

I would continue to hound my dr. until you both found the desired results with the correct meds/dosages.  And counseling ALWAYS helps in addition to meds.  Good luck. Straterra is an antidepressant.  It is prescribed for fill in the blank.  But it is not a stimulant medication. (which was my point) Let me start by saying that since you spend the most time with him, you are the one who will take the most abuse.  It is our lot in life.  (Not only that, but moms aren't scary like dads are.)

Also, has your child been diagnosed with ADHD?  What is his diagnosis?  It is my opinion, and that of my dr., that Strattera is merely an antidepressant that has been repacked by the drug companies to give to kids whose parents are afraid of giving them the drugs that DO work-stimulants.  Concerta worked nicely with my son who has ADHD, as an example.

Make sure your child is properly medicated first. Once you have ruled that out, then you can address any remaining issues.

Just know that you are not alone, and we are here for you.
Strat works extremely well for kids that cannot take stims for one reason or another, it is not merely an anti depressant. The problem is , it is dosed very stricly by weight, not symptoms, and alot of Dr's don't read the info and prescribe it wrong.

Strattera does work my daughter takes it. Everyone reacts differently to meds, for example, Concerta was a nightmare for her. Others LOVE it. She is extremely med sensitive. I am also wondering his weight and dose.

Have you discussed the mood issues with your doctor? It sounds as though the anger was there prior to meds? These things are complicated to sort out. Who manages his meds? Many people have GREAT success with play therapy, if you're using a psych for meds they should be able to offer a referral. Another way to look is to check on your insurance companies website or call the customer service to find some one in your plan.

You are the one he is most comfortable with and can take his frustrations out, you're always going to love him, try to at least know he knows this which is why he's comfortable letting his feelings out with you, you're safe. This, unfortunately, doesnt make you feel any better, but you'll get there, keep trying.

Ok - My son was the exact same way with me - I got so sick and tired of being told how bad I was, how he hated this family, blah, blah, blah and didn't react the same way to his dad....last time he had a major tantrum directed at me he said he wanted to run away (now my child is adopted -only with us 14 months at the time - 8 years old) any I just sat there and let him scream at me. My husband came home few minutes later and saw that our son was in the time out chair and I was fuming but quiet. I told him what happened and what he said - my husband got a suitcase and handed it to our son. I was shocked but remained silent. Our son said no! emphatically that he wanted to stay and that I really wasn't a bad mom, etc....he even apologized to me without coaxing from my husband.

It got better after that but I still pursued medication b/c he pretty much fought me on everything....he was eventually dx with mild adhd and odd. We started with Concerta and it really helped. The dr. told me that 60% of ADHD kids are ODD but it usually subsides once a proper med is located. We just bumped up to 36 mg for some figetiness at school recently but his aggression is really at a low or what I would say normal - for an 8 year old boy (who was in foster care with some bad history)

Also, I learned that even when you are silent it can still cause some combativeness tendencies with kids- I now look our son directly in the eye, no expression and I am still until he realizes his behavior is unacceptable and apologizes -so much better!

My Dh was on Adderall XR, Statterra AND then started on Seroquel. We stopped the Straterra after about 2 months of using it and upp'd the Seroquel. She's already better with her anger...and her cycling, possibly bi-polar, is much better. 

My doctors is the same thing with my daughter and refused to give her more. So I opted to stop and find something else. It's all trial and error...if it works on one thing but makes the other worse...change it and find something that treats all of it.

What you can do in the meantime is have him jump when he gets angry. I do that with my DH and she hates it, but it help her get that agression out of her. She'll flop on the floor and I say, "Get up if your mad and jump it out girl..." Or a basketball hoop, jump rope, etc. Get him moving until he break free of it.

The mood changes like a light swicth ON or OFF is what tells me she's probably Bi-Polar. One minute she was screaming mad then next just as sweet as can be.

Hope this helps you a bit!

Kim  

Strattera did not help my son. It made him angry and depressed. he lasted about 2 months before we stopped. Once he mentioned wanting to kill himself at the age of 8, we stopped.

I would question the medication for his anger.

Please call his prescribing doctor. There is certainly another medication that will help him.

My daughter goes to a pediactric bahaviour specialist. We have been trying different meds for over a year. Several of them really made her more aggressive. If I were you as suggested above I would demand that he try a different medication. He sounds like he is very frustrated with the way things are or how he is feeling. We as parents live with our children and know them better than anyone. So if you feel there is a problem I would either take him to a Dr that specializes in his diagnoses or put your foot down with his Dr. I have been so lucky with Haileys BS Dr. because he really listens to me. It could be your son had these aggressive feeling before and the med is just makeing it worse. It breaks my heart too when Hailey acts out against me. I love her so much and I too am trying to do anything that will help make her feel better. But I agree with the post that said they feel safe to act out with us. Because we are there for them and they know that and they are reaching out for help in the only way they know how. So its up to us to just keep moving forward and doing the best we can to help them. Pat yourself on the back for doing a great job at trying to help him. Its really one day at a time in dealing with adhd children. Hailey is 5yo and she starts yet another new med (concerta) tomorrow. I pray this one works. Try not to take his remarks to heart he is just asking for your help and doesnt understand what is going on with his self.  Please keep us posted.

I would first try Strattera at the appropriate dose. You've already got it on board, why not be sure it doesnt work, rather than give up on it too soon.

We have also used Wellbutrn, Desipramine and Nortryptiline. These are antidperessants that can be precribed off label for ADHD.

Thank, everyone, for your support.   The only problem is if we stop this
Strattera, I don't know what else to try as we had terrible side effects from
stimulants (we've tried 3 of them). He just doesn't tolerate them at all.

Are there any other meds that you have heard that could work (non
stimulants other than Strattera) that I might suggest to my doctor?

Thanks.gardener39579.8197569444Diane V, my doctor agreed with you today when I finally spoke to him. He
thinks the Strattera is likely causing some aggravation, but since the anger is
mostly directed at me (no issues at school) he feels we should continue with
the Strattera and pursue counseling. Thanks for listing the other meds
you've tried, in the event that we need to go this route.

On a positive note, there have been no angry outbursts during the past two
days so I'm wondering if perhaps the side effects from the Strattera are
diminishing? I also started using Orgam's marble behavior modification
strategy which has been very positive.   Thanks again for your support!!