Anyone have or deal with ADHD kids

My son has ADHD, ODD, a mood disorder and anxiety or so we have been told. Well latelt his meds have quit working again and the specialist he had been seeing isn't really helping with the situation. So Tre's regular dr. is going to referr us to another psychiatrist. I really hope we get in soon with them. Cause it will be time to refill meds in a couple weeks and I don't want to fill them if we are going to be adjusting things.
Tre' has had alot of problems in the past with the ADHD and a couple bad drs. A couple years ago a dr. he was seeing messed his meds up so much Tre' had to go to The Ridge and stay a week to get things regulated and back in control. There was no talking with or dealing with Tre' without a huge fight, no matter who or what you was, and he also missed a whole semister of school cause of his problems, well things are starting to go back to the way it was just before he had to go stay there. And that was so hard on my whole family but it did help Tre' and thats what I want is HELP for him.
So please keep in him in your thoughts and prayers as well.

Holli

IVE HAD MY STEPSON SINCE HE WAS 6YRS AND HES 13 YRS NOW AND HE HAS ADD AND ADHD AND MOOD SWINGS AND I THINK HE MAY BE BORDERLINE BIPOLAR. BUT ANYWAY-WE TRIED ALL THE MEDS ALL THE DOCTORS AND I FINALLY TOLD MY HUSBAND LETS TRY SOMETHING NEW-BECAUSE I HAD ONE FOOT IN THE JAIL HOUSE AND ONE FOOT UP HIS ASS. SO-WE DID SPORTS AND ANYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH A LARGE GROUP OF YOUNG MEN I PUT HIM IN AND THANK GOD IT ALL HAS WORKED FOR HIM-I MEAN WE EVEN GOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO SEND HIM TO WHAT I CALL BABY JAIL-SO I FELT LIKE HE NEEDED TO BE AROUND A GROUP OF HIS POSITIVE PEERS TO SEE THAT YOU DONT HAVE TO BE A BAD ASS TO GET ATTENTION. I GOT HIM A TOUR OF A DETENTION CENTER-I TOOK HIM TO THE HOMELESS SHELTER-I EVEN BROUGHT HIM TO THE HOSPITAL THAT I WORK FOR -MY POINT WAS TO SHOW HIM ALL CONSEQUENCES TO HIS ACTIONS. AS A PARENT WE CAN ONLY TEACH SO MUCH AND MY RESPONSE TO YOU IS SO LONG BECAUSE JUST LIKE YOU I STARTED ASKING STRANGERS FOR HELP BECAUSE I DID NT WANT TO LOOSE MY SON. SO I PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

Hi- I'm pretty new to the boards, but I am not new to your situation.  I have a nine year old son with Mood Disorder NOS,and ADHD among other things such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Anxiety Disorder.   I had been dealing with this his whole life, but his diagnoses came to the surface (thankfully) when he started school.  Truthfully, your son's treatment plan is going to be trial and error for you.  We have just established some normalcy after 4 years (he's in 4th grade now.), and I have placed him at the Ridge 5 times with stays varying from 2 weeks to more than a month.  I can't say that Ridge is the best way to help unless he is a danger to himself or others because how he acts in that controlled environment will not dictate how he acts under normal cir****tances.
I don't think we would be successful if it wasn't for a combination of changing my parenting to fit his needs, a strong support system,  therapy (social skills), an IEP at school, and the right medication(s).  All of those factors must come into play. It was a full time job for me. I can give you more details if needed.  Just message me.  Wish you the best!

Hi Holli,

I will definitely keep Tre' (and you!) in my thoughts and prayers.  My oldest child has ADD and bipolar disorder.  We have tried many different therapists and numerous medications.  Unfortunately, she doesn't like how she feels when she's on meds and she refuses to take them.  That's very common with folks with bipolar disorder -- they like it when they're on a high and the meds even them out so they don't have extreme highs or lows.  At her age (16), I can't force her to take meds so we're just doing the best we can with the situation. 

As a disability representative, I represent both children and adults with these conditions.  They can really be debilitating and I'm glad that Tre' has such a good mom to try to get him the help he needs.  You hang in there and just keep on doing what you can for him!

Leanne

Ladies,

I feel for your situation. I worked alcohol and drug rehab for teenagers for almost 3 years and many of my clients had behavioral and mental health issues. I urge you don't give up, never give up  try everything diet, sports, support groups, church groups, different doctors, different meds  some parents do unfortunately and it is a travesty. These are wonderful beautiful, brilliant individuals who need extra care, love, support, who sadly are trapped within themsleves and I can't imagine how at such a young age that must feel.(our daughter has ADD and is on focalin so I am in the fight with you)

Good luck, lots of love, try to take a little time for yourselves.

Wendy

Good luck Holli.  I hope they refer you to someone really good.  I work at The Ridge on the child unit, so I see the kids struggle everyday.  It's really tough on them, don't let anyone tell you it's not.  When I watch them I think how strong they are, because I can't imagine how they deal with what they do.  I know they frequently feel like they don't fit in, especially at school.  I'll keep you and Tre in my prayers cause I know how much he and you struggle.  Good luck and remember he's doing the best he can at this moment in time and so are you!
BEcca