Hi. I'm new here. Son (difficult child - now 13) was diagnosed ADHD at age 6. I have known since his birth that he was different. I just thought it was the boy in him coming out.
He was on medications through 4th grade, when he started having a horrible 'let down period' at the end of the afternoon. In trying to switch medications, his pediatrician thought that difficult child was showing signs of ODD. He sent us to a psychologist or psychiatrist (not sure any more) for further diagnosis and medication review. The place did not help, and we ended up going off all medications because sons moods were better. He did ok in school, so we just watched him and hoped that maybe things would stay calm.
We did okay until this past school year. He hit puberty (yikes) and has been so hard to live with. I read your posts and cry, because while I WANT to have hope, I really don't know how much more of this I can take. If I can't stand to be around him, how can he stand himself?
His pediatrician has started the testing and is supposed to refer us to a new counseling center or whatever difficult child needs next. We go back in the next few weeks. He scored off the charts on the ADHD and ODD areas.
Any suggestions on how to get through the next few weeks would be greatly appreciated. Do I just need to breathe deep and have more patience? Is my being patient what makes him act out?
I can only get online at work, briefly, and while I'm glad to have found this site, I can't take the time to sit and read like I really want and need to do.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
He was on medications through 4th grade, when he started having a horrible 'let down period' at the end of the afternoon. In trying to switch medications, his pediatrician thought that difficult child was showing signs of ODD. He sent us to a psychologist or psychiatrist (not sure any more) for further diagnosis and medication review. The place did not help, and we ended up going off all medications because sons moods were better. He did ok in school, so we just watched him and hoped that maybe things would stay calm.
We did okay until this past school year. He hit puberty (yikes) and has been so hard to live with. I read your posts and cry, because while I WANT to have hope, I really don't know how much more of this I can take. If I can't stand to be around him, how can he stand himself?
His pediatrician has started the testing and is supposed to refer us to a new counseling center or whatever difficult child needs next. We go back in the next few weeks. He scored off the charts on the ADHD and ODD areas.
Any suggestions on how to get through the next few weeks would be greatly appreciated. Do I just need to breathe deep and have more patience? Is my being patient what makes him act out?
I can only get online at work, briefly, and while I'm glad to have found this site, I can't take the time to sit and read like I really want and need to do.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.