Rough two weeks

My bio-son has been diagnosed with ADHD, and has also been on a number of different medicationsall of which seem to stop working after a month or so. After dealing with on Dr. for over a year, I decided I had had it, and found another that specializes in childrenŒs issues. The new Dr. seemed promisingbut at the last visit, when I brought up concerns, he didnŒt seem to acknowledge themwhich irritated me. AnywayŅabout two weeks ago, I noticed that my son started becoming agitated very easily. He also would explode into fits of rage, which would lead to him throwing, kicking and hitting anything he could findincluding walls, doors and windows. His teacher also reported that he has become extremely emotional. He will cry for what seems like no reason, and is almost inconsolable. I donŒt know what caused thisit seems to have just come on suddenly. The only thing I can think of is the recent change in medication. Its been about six weeks, so I think it might be a side affectŅunfortunately, I have been unable to get a fast appointment with the Dr to confirm this, so I wont know until next week. Has your child changed medications recently? Just wonderingif so, I wonder if itŒs the same kind of medication my son is now taking

Since it only occurred while you're husband was home, ADD would notseem to be the cause. Is this the first time you'r husband's left town? Maybe he was afraid he wouldn't come back or that something would happen to him. Maybe his past he may seem use to people leaving and never seeing them again. He may not know how to use his words to express his fears. You may need to help him along. When you see anger or undesired behavior or rage, speak softly saying things like "I see you are very angry, can you use your words to tell me about it?" If he fails to respond you might even put some words there. "You must miss daddy, I miss him too" you get the idea. Maybebefore dad leaves next time, they can get the globe or a map and show him where dad will be and talk to him about what dad will be doing and when he's comin back. If possible, let your son email or call him each day.

i agree with lucyjoy, the first thought that came to my mind was "is this the first time daddy left home for awhile?" even if you say "he'll be back next week" doesnt mean too much to him. I wont be surprised if he throws another behavior at you when he leaves again. I think you can prepare him alot but the proof will be in the pudding. I know the more times daddy comes back after being gone for a while, he will start to realize that daddy will be coming home. But write now, you have to prove it. his experience might have been, when caretaker goes, he never sees them again. its just a thought. It didnt sound like ADHD to me, it sounded more like a 'loss issue.' dadfor2

No, it's not the first time but this was the worst he's ever acted. Things have really been crazy since we adopted him. At the time we got him, it was a week before Christmas, so my husband took two weeks off work to help him get settled in. Then he had to go back to work after the first of the year. Bad part of that was he was in the middle of a job transfer and we lived in OK outside of Tulsa but Daddy's job was and still is in Houston. Yes, he threw fits before when Daddy was gone but nothing like this. I think part of the problem is my husband finally found a place for us all in Houston and we moved here in June, so we've been together since then. And this has been the first time Daddy had to go out of town since we moved here. I now think my son thought maybe it was going to kind of be like it was before, that he only saw Daddy once in a while. I don't know. I just DON"T want to go thru this again when Daddy has to go out of town!! Thanks for the help! Cathy

Could be the new place and daddy left town again and an old fear popped up for your son. Maybe he thought that daddy being gone meant that he would be gone for a long time, like before and that he may have to move again. All those fears that we, as adults, would adjust to and be able to put into view. Maybe before daddy leaves next time you could make a video of daddy reading him a book or a tape of daddy reading him a book and then son could follow along in the book? Or something like a picture of daddy by his bed? Something to comfort him while daddy is away. I can imagine how exhausting and nerve racking this is for you. The feeling of not being able to console your child and having him in his room raising you know what is a helpless feeling. A thought just came to mind. I remember when my bio daughter was about 5 and we moved and her dad and I were divorcing. Several times, she would be a real terror. I remember if I wouldn't give her what she wanted, she would start throwing a fit. I would put her in her room and she would yell and scream and cry, kick the walls and the door, scream at me that she wanted her daddy. There were so many changes for her, she felt helpless and afraid and that was her way of trying to be in control of a situation that felt very out of control for her. Hope this helps you and your son a little bit.

You may want to check out some of those books. DO you go so far with 1-2-3 magic to put them in his room and hold the door shut? (I always ask that, because it was a violation of foster care policy where I used to live, and they still were telling people to use the book) Nancy Thomas and just search attachment disorder and you will see more. I have heard of a lot of kids going Manic on the new drug Strattera... A lot of people will have adverse effects on anti-depressants (expecially if they have bi-polar issues) I read one study where if you look at it from a social point of view as (why are kids removed from birth parents?) it is several times assoicated with behaviors of bi-polar disorder. People with just ADHD, this study was saying, don't act severe enough to have children taken away from them.