adhd, bi-polar odd panic attacks and meds any one else in the same boat

Hollie - posted on 10/15/2009

My 8 year old son has ADHD, ODD, Mood Disorder, PDD. and Bipolar. It is a nightmare right now, he has been kicked out of three schools and has been hospitalized twice.I am at my whits end but I love him and im not gonna give up on him no matter hoe frusturated I get. I did have to put my self on meds though because the sterss of every thing has really caught up with me lately. So I know how all you ladies are feeling right now.

Candace - posted on 10/11/2009

I know what you mean my son is 11 and has adhd but not much problem out of him but my oldest daughter is 9 and that's where the problems are...she has adhd and bi-polar with other things too. Very manipulative and doesn't think she should be disciplined for anything she does. I am battling with her stealing and taking advantage of her great-grandmother right now ...I'm considering an inpatiant treatment but don't think hubby will go for it. It's a lot to deal with but it does get better. Ilived it myself and things will get better.

Melissa - posted on 09/24/2009

I have two sons with ADHD. My 11 year old has ODD and Impulse Control Disorder along with ADHD hyperactive. It has been a nightmare at times. I really don't know what to expect out of his mouth. He receives counciling once a week and takes three different meds. He takes Straterra, Zoloft and Abilify. He has also taken in the past ritlian, adderol, and vyvance which only helped for a few months at a time. Though the vyvance works really good for my 9 year old. It began fading on Austin about the three month of taking it. Meds are scary but I had to help him. Our battle is day by day. I understand what you are going through.

Shirley - posted on 09/23/2009

Wow. That's a lot of stuff going on there. My two oldest boys (Isaac is 6 Tommy is 5) start seeing a new behavioral health group in a few weeks. Tommy hasn't been formally diagnosed with anything yet. His pediatrician and I believe he has pretty bad ADHD and moderate ODD. We will find out soon and hopefully get him on some meds to help him control himself and to better focus during school (we homeschool). Isaac has been diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger's syndrome. I am beginning to wonder if the asperger's may be a high functioning autism instead. They did suggest that he may be bi-polar (I am). But I don't think I was ready to hear it at that time. We haven't pursued a diagnosis there yet, but I'm thinking we may have to soon. He also needs some kind of medication to help him control his impulses and to help him focus during school.

I have no experience with any meds yet. I only recently warmed up to the idea of medicating them. It seems to be something we will not be able to avoid.

To be honest, the whole idea of my kids having any of these disorders scares me because I don't seem to know what to do with them and I'm afraid of being a bad parent. I'm not sure if I should talk with them openly about it or if I should keep it quiet until they are old enough to understand it better. I don't want to give them the idea that they don't have to try to control themselves just because the disorder makes it harder to do so. But I don't want them to notice the differences between themselves and other kids their age and wonder why they just don't fit in and feel like oddballs either. I am actually here to hear the stories of other mom's dealing with the same thing and see how they handle it.

I realize that I didn't answer any of your questions. I guess I just posted to let you know that you are not alone.

In Christ,

Shirley