I am so down today . . . | ADHD Information
As you all know, things can go up and down with these kids. We had an absolutely wonderful summer and start to school. My son actually was invited for a sleepover and many playdates. I was excited. But, since school haskicked into high gear (4th grade), my life has become miserable. He is like a bull in a china shop - if he walks by anything, it gets knocked over. If he has a cup, it gets spilled. If he goes out the door first, he either shuts the
door on his little brothers hand, locks everyone out or lets the dog out to run amok. His backpack is ruined because he crams everything in it. Any dinner I make gets a negative reaction. Any homework results in tears and
nastiness. The ENTIRE house is focused on him and I fear I am getting resentful. I cannot connect with my other two children let alone my husband. My son sucks the energy out of everyone and all attention is on him. I try
not to yell, but I am at my wits end.
I know how you feel. Today was an especially rough morning for me to. I can relate to feeling like my son sucks the energy out of the family. It seems like it starts the moment his feet hit the floor each morning. I literally cringe when I hear him get out of bed. I hate to admit that. It's just that I know what is coming. His behavior and attitude affects the entire family. I try so hard, but it's never ending.
Luckily, when I'm really down I read some of the posts here and find comfort in knowing that I'm not alone. My son is like a totally different child on medication and is a joy to be around, but the mornings and evenings are torture. I sometimes wonder what his true personality is like. Is it the unmedicated child who is so nasty and difficult to be around? That scares me. He will be turning 10 next month and I feel like he should be able to control his behavior more on his own. I worry about his future.
I guess we just have to keep trying as hard as we can and know that tomorrow gives us a fresh start. Hang in there and know that you're not alone in this!
Wow- you both hit the nail on the head with these posts. I also have a 9 y/o son who can drive all of us up the wall. He can be the sweetest and kindest boy and the nastiest screamer. I think that the Jon on meds is his true self. I would like him to try to try more self control also but it is going to be a long hard climb. After all, it's the chemicals in their bodies that are making them like this. I know how hard it is for Jon. Today he had his appointment with his doctor and he was all smiles and everything was fine (his reply to all the questions the doctor asked him). Then the doctor mentioned some of the concerns I had and Jon went down the tubes. He got so upset because he thought he had let me down. And after that he was able to verbalize the thoughts that stick in his head and scare him. It was a tough appointment and we go back in 2 weeks because she raised one of his meds a bit to see if it will help.
I love Jon all the time but I especially love him when he is sleeping!!!!!
When I read these posts, I could TOTALLY relate. My son is 11 yrs old andsucks all of the energy out of our family on a regular basis. He went on a
youth group overnight this weekend, and it was so peaceful in my house
in the morning.
My son can be the sweetest, and the nastiest kid. For the last year he has
been very disrespectful and complains about everything. He started
middle school in August, and it's been a dicey transition for all of us. Just
when I think it's getting better, it gets worse. We started to see a
therapist with our son because his behavior and lying problem were
starting to tear our family apart.
It's comforting to see that I;m not alone.
I like Will better when he's sleeping too!
He is also 9 and we are having a tough time with him. Will's latest thing, is when we've had a bad day or evening with homework. We put him to bed as usual but instead of going to bed, he writes us "hate mail", or that's what I call it. He writes us letters telling us how mean we are and how mad he is at us and just says some really cruel things. We've had about 3 this week and they can really wear me out.
it's nice to know that I am not alone.
Anthony is almost 11, and for the last few weeks (we are in the middle of a med change) we have walked on egg-shells. I am ashamed to say that I am happy that he is away for the weekend, he has "sucked" all of mine and my husbands energy. His little brother has picked up on the "habits" in order to get attention.
I am at my wit's end as well, I pray that this ends soon. He has been on meds since he was 4 and by far this has been the worst med change that we have ever dealt with.
wait patiently for him to walk in the door after school. Is he going to blow
(and it's always at me) or is he even keeled? I am learning alot about how
the meds change his behavior. He has anxiety in addition to ADHD. He
tried zoloft, NO, then Prozac, NO, and it seems when he DOES take is
adderall xr he is more serious and has a much shorter fuse. We just
started him a month ago on Nortriptyline 25mg (which treats anxiety and
concentration). He was suppose to take it 2x a day, but he just didn't
seem right. We now take one every a.m. and he is soo much better. He
comes down the stairs happy and funny (which is his real personality) BUT
when he takes the Adderall for school, he has NO patience for anyone
who "screws" up as he puts it, and he "thinks" about stuff more intensely
which causes him MORE anxiety . (For example, he realizes at 6pm that
there's only 2 more hours til bedtime , then school the next day.......woah
he goes into overload) but if he doesn't take the ADHD med he is more
happy go lucky and oblivious to every minute on the clock!! WHO knew
this would be such a hard job (mothering that is). We go back to dr.
tomorrow. So we'll see. I read a posting from a member that said that
Strattera and Adderall can drain the bodies natural magnesium level,
which is a major component for concentration. He recommended taking a
magnesium supplement. I am going to ask my Dr. about this and may
just do the Nortriptyline and magnesium ....... i'll keep you posted .
THanks for sharing your "9yr. old boy" stories!!