my 6 yr old needs help, does it sound like add??

Kathleen - posted on 09/04/2011

I suggest you check out the possibility of PANDAS. Not many doctors know about it yet, but it is very real. Our son and our family was saved when we figured out what was causing his angry and defiant behavior. Here is a list of doctors who can tell you if your son's behavioral problems are due to an undetected strep infection. Our son never had ANY signs of strep. Best of luck to you!
Kathleen
http://www.facebook.com/board.php?uid=23...

Jane - posted on 02/01/2011

Sounds a lot like my son. He started have problems when he was three when he would get so angry he would actually shake. By age four we were in family counseling and were told we needed to see a psychologist. The psychologist did some testing when my son was five and found that he was ADHD and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) and had some other problems with sounds. Ritalin, which leaves the body after only four hours made an enormous difference at first, but he continued to get worse, attempting to kill his sister and himself when he was seven. At that point he was hospitalized and diagnosed with Early Onset Bipolar Disorder, where mood changes can happen in seconds. Some docs have also diagnosed him as having Schizo-Affective Disorder, Bipolar Type, which is a step closer to Schizophrenia. However, since Schizophrenia usually shows up when you are in your late teens or early twenties, not usually at age seven, he is unlikely to be Schizophrenic.

He has been hospitalized six or seven times, but the last time was the most helpful. It was a place that had a neuro-psych unit, where they did brain scans and other testing. They were able to see what parts of his brain don't function correctly and explain to us what he can and cannot do.

He has also been diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder, but after much experimentation he is now on a regimen of medications that help him be stable. In his case he takes a mix of Depakote, Seroquel, Guanfacine (Tenex), Metadate, and Trazodone. These stabilize his moods, serve as anti-psychotics to keep the hallucinations away, help him control his anger, and help him focus. He also continues behavior modification both through our psychologist and psychiatrist as well as through a program at his school.

And you are right - people who have not lived with a child with mental illness do not "get" it. I have had two different principals insist that children do not suffer from mental illness, and we have been banned from stores for his behavior. Do keep a record of everything, including the call to the police. If you should have to hospitalize your son ever having the police involved is considered "appropriate use of community resources" and will help get our insurance company to pay.

There is an organization called CABF (Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation) that can be very helpful if your child is indeed Bipolar or has problems with anger and tantrums. You might check it out.

The good news is that if your son is bipolar, once the right combo of meds has been figured out, as long as he takes his meds he will be successful in life.

Erin - posted on 09/18/2010

Kelly,

I think that in a situation such as yours, meds may help. My advice, however, comes from a similar although not identical scenario. My advice is this: try the meds. If they change his personality, CHANGE them. The purpose of such types of meds are to help your child to process in a more productive manner, not to make him a different person. When you find the right one, you'll know it.

As far as the general doc's referral to a pediatrician, I think you're barking up the wrong tree. Ask for a referral to a pediatric psychiatrist. At this point, that's where you'll be further referred once you get to the pediatric doctor...

As far as at home, what kind of consequences have you imposed?

My heart goes out to you, completely. I can very much relate. My son is ODD w/ a secondary diagnosis of ADHD... I assure you that you are FAR from alone & there is a LOT of hope to be had. Also believe I wouldn't tell you that unless I was coming from a far better place than where we've been...

E.

Hayley - posted on 01/24/2009

This is just my opinion but I think this is more than adhd. I know you dont like the idea of meds, I dont either but reading that, could you carry on without? research on the net so you know your options and good luck, I really hope you find the help for your son!

Nicole - posted on 01/24/2009

It sounds like he has difficulty with focus, hyper tendancies and impulsive without thinking about consequences. These all fall under ADHD. Our son, too, had issues similar to these, IE. throwing chairs, running around screaming, acting out, etc. Of course, it was more prominent when he was younger, and, before medication to help. He takes Concerta, 36 mg daily. Since, being diagnosed, which is probably what you need to act upon, getting your child diagnosed, he has improved, and, is now a successful, little boy in school, no different acting, then any other peer in his class. Check about getting your child diagnosed by a professional, whether through the school system, or, a family doctor. Ours was diagnosed at the age of 3. He underwent testing, and, we did trial and error with different meds, until we found the right one that worked for him. I know what you are going through, I have been there, I really have. It was to a point that the teacher was calling every other day at my job. It was a difficult time for our family. We were beside ourselves, with it. But, for some years now, he has only exceled in his class and his school. We attribute all this to his early diagnosis, and being proactive with his meds, doctor visits and school.

Amy - posted on 01/23/2009

Here's my story.  Some of the same behaviors as your child.

My 6 1/2 year old has been on Concerta for ADHD for two years.  It was very hard to find a doctor willing to medicate a 4 year-old, but we'd tried everything and were exhausted after deteriorating behavior since the age of 18 months.  (He was adopted at 9 months old.)  The Concerta has been GREAT and we've had to hardly tinker at all with the dosage the past two years.  Our psychiatrist added Risperdal and Tenex to help with moods.  He also has ODD and other mood disorders.  The meds are also useful for intrusive and impulsive tendancies.  He's never been "zoned out" by any of these meds.  On top of all this, as the age of 5 we had a sleep-deprived EEG performed to look for brain abnormalities that could be causing the behavior problems.  He showed petit mal seizure activity, so we put him on Lamictal, which also helps with mood.  Has he had a recent psychological/educational exam?  The Vanderbilt scales are complete by both caregiver and teachers to determine mood issues.  Results may show ADHD, ODD, Conduct Disorder, Bi-Polar and Depression/Anxiety.  If he swings between happy and sad, he may have more to diagnose than just ADHD.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may also be a good route to take.

Mandy - posted on 01/18/2009

Ritalin is not a bad drug, it is actually the number one longest used drug to help children with ADHD. The parents and pediatrician just need to know when they are giving the child too much...glassy eyed, lethargic, loss of appetite, ticks, ect..... are some of the symptoms that your child is taking too high of a dose. you just want your child to be able to focus not turn him into a zombie~!

Amie - posted on 01/17/2009

My daughter was just diagnosed with ADHD and my brother had it also when we were growing up.  Number one I wouldn't put any child on ritalin.  I saw what it did to my brother.  I won't do that my kids.  There are other drugs if need be that are not as harsh.  Second ADHD doesn't make you violent. You don't want to hurt anyone or be hurt.   It is the inability to focus on any one thing for more then a couple minutes.  Also the inability to keep still even in your sleep.  ADHD I don't believe causes a person pain.  I have never heard anyone have head ache and tummy aches as part of the symptoms.  It sounds more like some kind of behavior issue that might require a therapist.  Good Luck... Hope the doctor can help

Mandy - posted on 01/17/2009

Hello my name is Mandy and I have a son with ADD and a son with ADHD. The behavior that you are talking about sounds like it may just be a behavior issue. You may want to ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist. Ritalin is stimulant which has an adverse affect on children with hyperactivity not of those with a bahvior issue. I wish you and your son the best! good luck!

Jennifer - posted on 01/17/2009

Hi my name is jenn. my daughter has the same issues... We were told its Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) I hear you and can feel your fustration. I dont have any answers yet, but we are going to get evauated on tuesday. There is a lot of info on this on the internet, I hope this helps you. I will get back with you after tuesday ... good luck