A couple of years ago it looked like there was also something that looked most like oppositional defiance disorder. He has been on Ritalin, Geodon and Buspar and has done well. More recently, he has become more negative -- angry and sad for intense but short periods of time (an hour or two). We have tried increasing the Geodon a little, but that doesn't seem to have an effect. Is this depression? Hormones? Bipolar? Several years ago he tried an SSRI and it made him "activated," making his doctor think that bipolar was a possibility, but it was too early to know for sure. Any thoughts?
Q: My 12 year-old son has ADHD. He is recently volatile -- angry and sad. What is this?
Answers (1)
3/29/09 8:16am
LK
Thank you for your question and welcome to ADHDCentral.com.
It would be impossible for me to say whether your son is experiencing symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder.
Puberty and hormones certainly bring along many changes in a young person's body, the rate of metabolism may change, making how medication is absorbed and working different than before. In addition, puberty seems to increase ADHD symptoms (in my experience), at least for a little while. Moodiness also seems to go right along with being a teenager and so it is difficult to say whether the emotions you describe are simply part of the growing up experience or if they are due to something else.
It does seem as if you are working closely with your son's doctor and that is good. It is your doctor that should be able to help you determine exactly what is going on and how to best help your son.
I am providing links to some additional information that may be helpful:
How Do You Know if a Treatment is Working?
What is Multimodal Treatment and Why is it Important?
ADHD Symptoms in Middle School
When Teens With ADHD Are Defiant
The Fine Art of Raising a Teen With ADHD
I hope this information helps.
Eileen
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By LK— Last Modified: 12/11/10, First Published: 03/26/09
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