newbie needs bit off help | ADHD Information

Hello im new to this site and need little bit off help with my son... i dont even knoiw where to start or what to ask so bare with me lol
Alex is now 7 and was diagnosed with ADHD 2 1/2 years ago b4 he was diagnosed he was bouncing off the walls destroying everything in site painting my carpets drawing all over my walls pulling the inside of his mattress out he was then put on meds within days he was different he would sit still off his own back (u could persuade him to sit down b4 as long as u were doing something interesting but for the maximum of 10 minutes), sadly this wore of within a matter of months and his meds change which once again lastest a few months he is now on Equasym XL 20mg twice a day we went to see his doctor in august and told them he was doing a lot better now we split the meds up to twice a day rather than both in a morning but what seemed like the next day he stared going of the rails again, hes running of from me in the street  eating food of the floor outside he has ripped wallpaper of the walls ripped the wardrobe doors off pulled the silicone ofhis windows spat all over his window and rubbed it in just stupid things he did b4 he ever went on meds i really feel like i cant cope with him at the minute as i have anoter 3 children 1 being a baby that i cannot do anything with as my time is taken up with Alex....problem is the doc said he isnt growing enough and wont change his meds and could end up taking him of his meds altogether the doc said up his food but he never stops eating he has large  meals every day and snacks in between so what can i do any1 had this problem please help
are you seeing a child psychiatrist or is this just your family doctor who put your son on his meds?  if you have not seen an add specialist you need to do so - it sounds like your son is not on the right meds or perhaps even misdiagnosed (happens all the time).     you need to see a pediatric specialist and get your son properly diagnosed - dont fret there are a lot of different meds out there and combination of meds to help with your sons issues - there are also non-medical options which are everywhere now.     i think the most important thing though is to ensure that he has been properly diagnosed and get a second opinion becuase it sounds like this doctor is not being very helpful.

I agree I would get a second opinion.

People have pediatrician's prescribing meds and diagnosing when it is really not their speciality. It is part of Mental health.

We were referred by our pediatrician to a Pediatric neuropsychologist at our Children's hospital. Then he referred us to a psychopharmacologist when we decided to start medication.

Please get a second opinion, adhd has been so often misdiagnosed. There could be another underlying condition as well, which is so common with adhd.

And what ever medication he is on, isn't working. A doctor in this field of adhd/mental health would see this.

I'd get a second opinion too. Don't feel guilty about getting one, either. It's not like you don't trust your current doctor...this is just a big deal and you want to know that more than one professional agrees on the diagnosis and treatment.

Granted, you don't have to go back to your original doctor for treatment. It doesn't sound like that doctor is being terribly helpful or understanding. A child's physical health (including his weight) is really, really important...but so is his mental health. There's no reason to think you can't have a healthy child that doesn't rip your house to shreds.

It may feel like you're being whiny or that you can't cope the way you should...but behavior problems in any family member have a HUGE impact on the rest of the family. You know the old saying, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy?" Well, the same holds true for everyone in the family. If one person is having a problem, it affects everyone.

Remember that it's not uncommon for kids with ADHD to have other problems, but it's also not uncommon for ADHD to be misdiagnosed, especially in kids with behavior problems. It can be easy to label that wild, disruptive child as having ADHD.

Either way, it sounds like you need more than just medication. I firmly believe behavioral therapy can be outrageously helpful for kids with ADHD. Many behaviors come naturally to most people, but need to be taught to people with ADHD. It also sounds like your family may benefit from some family counseling. Your son is young, but it might help him to see the impact his behavior has on the rest of the family through the eyes of an outsider.

Let us know how it goes!