How long will it take for my son to take control of his ADHD?Anxiety disorder?
March 1st, 2010
Debra asked:
He turns 15yrs old next month and i have had him therapy for 5 1/2yrs
He has been on many meds but nothing has worked. he lived in a group home and is now starting day treatment (along with his regular therapy) He has been pulled from regular mainstream school and will begin online schooling.
I am at my wits end!
Daniel
He turns 15yrs old next month and i have had him therapy for 5 1/2yrs
He has been on many meds but nothing has worked. he lived in a group home and is now starting day treatment (along with his regular therapy) He has been pulled from regular mainstream school and will begin online schooling.
I am at my wits end!
Daniel
Categories: Mental Health | Tags: Anxiety Disorder, Meds, Wits End
Buffy
I dont know your situation, but based on your question it sounds like your quite flustered about the whole thing. However, imagine how he feels living with it. He may be in treatment for it for a long time. To my knowledge ADHD isn’t something thats easily cured by therapy. Think less depression and more along the lines of autism and aspergers. These types of disorders usually stay with people for a very long time if not forever (my husband has ADHD). I know it’s hard for you as a mother, however it is hard for him as well because he has it. Try embracing his disorder by maybe enrolling him into an art therapy class, something that hones and builds his creativity. It may soothe him better than any therapy. Best of luck to you.
David
It takes different time lengths for different kids.
You never really get over it…it just gets better
Ryan
Keep trying different things, different psychiatrists. Go read as much as possible on this situation. It may be a congenital thing, where he can only learn to cope (and not completely control) his ADHD. Unlike a car, you cannot just take your son to a car mechanic and get an estimate for how long and how much it will cost. Losing your patience on him would probably be one of the worst things you can do to his life. However, asserting your parental guidance out of love is probably a good thing to do.
Julian
ADHD can be very frustrating for the child/teen and for the parent. When my son was about 8 years old, I was very frustrated. The child can be a very nice person, but it can be challenging. At this point, a relative saw a television show that helped me, greatly. The program featured a doctor who had treated many children who were suffering from food sensitivities. She had some of the patients on the show and discussed how she was treating them. She made reference to some of her books. These books were lifesavers, for me and my family. They showed how you can do an “elimination diet” to see if your family member might be suffereing any food sensitivities. We also took our son to an environmental allergist. This pointed to mulitiple “allergies” to foods. When we eliminated the offending foods, we were halfway there. I cannot say how much this helped. This is not to say it would help you and your son, but it certainly could not hurt. You can find the books (by Dr. Doris Rapp), through used online booksites for very little money. They explain things in a very easy to understand format and also point out other symptoms you may have noticed, over the years. There are often physical symptoms you would not have realized might be connected. One book is called: Allergies and the Hyperactive Child. Another is called: Is this Your Child? I think any of her books will be very helpful, and you will need to ignore the reference in the titles, to ‘child’ because these books will be beneficial to any age. You can also look up the actual television show through Youtube:
Dr. Doris Rapp #2:
Now, of course, you are dealing not only with the ADHD, but teenage hormones. I hope you read these books, thoroughly, and they give you even half the help they provided to our family.Try to be understanding with your son. Realize he is doing the best he can, and provide a lot of positive reinforcement in things he does. If he is trying, compliment him. If he made a small improvement, compliment him, no matter how small. Each notation of a good thing is a step in the right direction. People, in general, don’t hear positive remarks, enough in their daily lives. ADHD kids hear them less, and also hear negative things on a daily basis. Try to get him into any activities that involve things he loves to do. It does not need to be an intellectual thing – just something he loves to do. These are the things that help people to find themselves. Help him to do that, because ADHD people are not necessarily “desk” people and need to find the thing that suits them, in life. Good luck in all you do. Tell your son that Thomas Edison was ADHD. Also, smile a lot, and use humor as often, as you can. This is an important element in getting past many difficult moments.
Ikysha
well i can see who frustrating this must be for you, and for him. its really hard! i have ADHD anxiety disorder and more. its tough and a ongoing battle, im currently in a day program and its helped alot…be open to him so he can talk to you…idk the specifics of the situation and everyones differernt, but just support him. it is frustrating but you have to support him through the good and bad times. just wait and see how this new program works, never give up and keep trying with meds i promise something with work eventually just NEVER give up…
some med advice: im 14 but meds that have worked well for me for these things are concerta for ADHD that has done MIRACLES!!! and imean it, and for anxiety, zoloft, effexor and prozac have all helped, now you probably hve tried these but if not maybe look some up, but i dont know like if he has allergies or w/e im just saying these have worked for me, i hope this helps…and if you or your son ever need to talk to someome you can feel free to email me, i may be young but ive been through alot of this stuff and i know how hard it is for parents as well.
Sharon
YOU NEED TO KEEP EXPERIMENTING WITH MEDICATION TILL YOU FIND THE WRIGHT ONE IT TOOK 5 MEDICATIONS TILL I FOUND THE WRIGHT ONE THAT WORKS FOR ME IM ON RITALIN 10MGS 3 TIMES A DAY AND WORKS GREAT GOODLUCK