Seeing "Normal" makes me cry | ADHD Information

Thanks You guys!
I just have days of longing for the "normal" and that was
yesterday.
He is on week 2 of Intuniv and we are starting to see
some good results. Tonight at dinner he fixed the water
glasses for the family WITHOUT being asked!! He also
asked to be excused after he was finished eating! Oh,how
wonderful that was. He sure was praised for that! Right
now I hear him playing with his Daddy in the background.
I do have hope for him being able to participate in
sports and such in the future. He does have a cousin
that lives next door and some neighbor boys that are
older than him that come over and play.
Bethann,
My oldest has taken himself off of meds and seems to be
doing very well. He has a girlfriend and is taking only 2
classes at our local Community College. He is doing very
well now.He was very stressed his Senior year in High
school. The meds made him feel worse too.

We have been giving the 6 yr.old different meds and
therapies since he was 4 years old!! I keep hearing that
one day he will get the right treatment and I am hoping
that this Inuniv and behavior therapy is the answer! This
is by the way the 9th Professional we have taken him to.My Ds will turn 7 on Friday. I cannot even have a
birthday party for him this year. I am exhausted with the
constant jumping from meds to Dr.'s /Therapist's! It
breaks my heart when I see children playing calmly at a
playground, playing T-ball,soccer, cub scouts, karate.
All of these things he has either tried and had bad
experiences or I just know it wouldn't work out. The new
meds have not helped with his behavior enough yet to give
me hope. I will have family over for Thanksgiving which
is the day before his birthday and we will consider that
his party this year. I just wondered if I was alone in
the feeling of sadness of the loss of normal boyhood
experiences that my son cannot participate in.I am So
frustrated, exhausted, depressed and in need of support.
I cry every day! Tried taking anti-depressants and it
made me feel worse!
Thanks for letting me vent!

((((Big Hugs))))

No, you're not alone! I also have a 7 year old son. We've tried sports too, but either his attention span isn't long enough, or he's not interested. Right now we're in cub scouts. They seem to be more accepting of his quirks. I hope it lasts.

I get sad when I hear other Moms talking about their kids sports. DS show a little interest, but practices are usually after school when his rebound is at it's worse. He also does 4-H which allows him to choose the activities he wants to do. It's great because it gives him time to be around other kids and away from the computer and video games. He also learns a lot. It's not year round though, usually just briefly in the summer until they're older.

Does he have a friend that he can connect with? Or even a cousin? Someone to share sleepover and playdates with?

Have you tried bowling or swimming?

No you are far from alone.

Until we medicated our son, we had similar behavior.

Our son is adhhhhd and couldn't control it himself. He is also impulsive.

Meds saved his life. He is 12, a A student and successful.

I am sorry for what you are going through. Have you thought of medicating him? We started when our son was shy of 7. We just couldn't let him suffer anymore.

I read the bottom of your signature. If I a may ask, how is your 17 year old son Andrew? You mention anxiety and depression. Are they being treated? Is he ok?

I hope you don't mind me asking, I just care and want to help.

I think what you are feeling is normal - at least I hope it is as I have similar feelings.  My two are 15 and almost 18.  Recently the oldest was diagnosed not only with ADD but also bipolar.  The youngest is ADHD.  Sometimes it is difficult keeping that "stiff upper lip" thing going, and yes, I'm often incredibly jealous of other families.  Doesn't say much nice about me, does it? 

I know exactly how your feel, but what helps me is that I know that there are no perfect families. There is always a little something going on under other folk's roofs. They just keep it secret and put on an image.

I know we are busy with our's but I treasure mine, really really do. They have so many great qualities. I would trade them for the world.

May I ask, are you treating the bipolar first and then went back and treated the adhdd? How are things?

my son is adhhhhhd and sensory and speech delayed.

My oldest was diagnosed ADD when she was in the 7th grade.  The bipolar was just newly diagnosed, but the ups and downs have been with her for a long time.  I'm more than a little confused, and honestly can't tell you where the ADD ends and the bipolar starts.  I'm inclined to think the behavior has been there for a long time.  It's is just that now she is too big and independent to pick up and put in "time out".  Often there is simply no reasoning with her.  Is it bipolar, normal teenage rebellion, or ADD?  Who really knows?  The constant turmoil is wearing on the whole family. 

She has been taking Vyvanse, Lexapro, and just recently started Abilify.  Her doctor has warned us that there may be several modifications to her meds before we get it right.  She is her own worst enemy.  I try to be supportive, but must admit I have some very mixed emotions regarding her.    

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My son is 12 and starting to come into himself. He is a good kid, cares about his grades, but boy the mouth is fresh. He is really into the video games, not a socializer outside school but has friends in school. He loves the xbox.

I wish you strenght, patience and success. I also wonder if it is the teen stuff. I remember being moody. They have so much stress on them now.

How is her social life with friends at school?

jaxx, I have been where you are!  I'm still there sometimes!  I look at other kids and I try not to be jealous but it's very hard.  My son is almost 5 and it's just been a recent thing that he can walk next to me on the sidewalk.  Before now he'd be running out into the street or just plain running off!  I see people with their 1 year olds that are able to walk quietly and it amazes me! I love my son sooooo much and wouldn't trade him for the world but I wish he could have it "easy" the way I see other kids.  He has to deal with so much in his little brain.

Once we got my son's medication right the whole world changed!  Things are MUCH better and I don't feel as jealous as I used to.  He still has many more problems than your average kid but nothing like before.  Keep at the medication...if things don't work, change doctors and keep trying until they DO work.  There is something out there for him, you just have to find it.