Lost and angry | ADHD Information

I agree, kahvi. My son really lets loose when he gets home, because he has spent all his focus trying to get through the school day.

Luckily, it isn't so anger-oriented these days, because we have really worked on positive attitudes in our house since the dx. But let me tell you, in the past there were major melt-downs/blow-ups after school.

I really didn't feel like the tantrums were directed toward me, so much as an explosion outward of all that pent-up energy and I got caught in the cross-fire. Even knowing that, it isn't easy to deal with, and there are people who can help!!OneOrTheOther40211.6964467593I don't agree that the only thing going on is that child is trying to punish mom just because she acts out more at home. It's not unheard of to see kids who act out at home because that's where they feel comfortable enough to show their true selves. Hang in there, Phoebe, things will get better. Find a good child psychiatrist (you'd be surprised what a difference that can make), and push for a treatment plan that includes medication as well as behavioral modification.


I'm new here and don't have the greatest advice because I lack the experience that most on the board have with these situations but... if your daughter only acts up at home could it be that something there is irritating her? Maybe hidden mold, dust, chemicals, some sort of allergen? Just a thought.My daughter had similar issues:  she was fine at school, but a mess at home, especially at the end of the school day.  Our psychologist said it takes all a lot of ADHD kids have to hold it together during school so they have nothing to keep it together at home.  Plus, as someone else pointed out, it's a safe place to fall apart.

My 5 year old is impossible fo me.  I started taking her to a therepist for her behavior two months ago. They've done test after test with her and all they can tell me is she has no impulse control. She never listens to me yet she does so well in school and daycare. Lately she has been peeing all over the place. On the carpet in her room, in the heater vents. Yet she is constantly going to the bathroom. Usually when she is supposed to be doing her chores. They haven't put her on medication yet and I'm at my wits end. I see a therepist to as well as a person who is supposed to come over to help us but nothing is getting any better. I'm always yelling at her. And she's always doing the same things over and over. I don't have any knick knacks up because they all get broken no matter how high they are, she has learned to pick locks, she can open any child proof thing I've set up. And it's not just silly things she gets into either, I've had to take her to the hopital twice for being drunk, once from drinking hand santizer, and the second when she got into the liquor cabinent, that was locked up.

Her safety is severely at risk and I don't know what to do to help her. I have nobody to turn to nobody to give me a break, I'm a single mother and my family thinks I'm over exagerating and refuses to help, they tell me I need to try harder. What do I do? someone anyone please help me!

I am so sorry you are going through this. I am a single mother, too, and most of my family said my son was out of control because he didn't have enough discipline and didn't have a good father figure. This is NOT true. If you think medication will help, you might need to push for it. I was lucky enough to get a ped who spent ten minutes with my son, and had his scrip-pad out. He honestly didn't know how I could handle that kind of behavior. The truth is, though, that I had just gotten kind of numb to it...not knowing how to deal with it anymore.

My son, too, would pee everywhere. I wonder why that is? I just thought it was because he was too lazy to leave what he was doing and go to the bathroom. When he got in trouble enough for it, I started to find it hidden in plastic "containers" in his room or other parts of the house. I think part of it was laziness, and the other part was a sensory aversion to the bathroom, especially the sound of the flushing. Either way, it stopped around the time he was six, but his room still kind-of smells funny, even with all the cleaning on my part.

The drunk thing hasn't happened to me, but the safety thing is a BIG issue. I can't tell you how many times he has been reckless to the point of serious injury. I get scared when I can't hear him, because I'm afraid he's wrapped a rope around himself to jump off the porch, or that he's run out into the street, or that....you get my point. I swear I'm getting an ulcer from the anxiety.

On a better note, my son has been on Straterra for his ADHD for three months now, and I can almost relax. Don't give up yet! There are a lot of parents out there who have been in your shoes, and I think a lot of them would agree that you have to stick to your guns. You want your child to have a typical life, and you want your own life back, right? You can get control of this situation, I know it! The folks on this board are here for you.

It sounds like it's time to start REALLY pushing for the meds! If your daughter is anything like my son then medicine is the ONLY thing that will help the impulse control. Nothing worked for him until we started meds.  It was like banging our heads against a wall day-in and day-out.  Don't let them tell you that she's too young.  My son was (is) so severe he started meds just before his 4th birthday and it was the best thing that could of happened!  Hang in there! It will get better!  

I am not trying to be the devils advocate here but I am concerned that this child does not have issues at daycare etc and only at home.  It is obvious that this child is upset with mom and is trying to punish her,