D
dudley24
Guest
HI. I'm new here and desparate for some relief. I have a 12yr old daughter with ADD/ODD. Up until a couple of years ago I was a single parent fighting off grandparents and a school system who treated me like an abusive/neglective parent. Mind you my daughter certainly provided plenty of ammunition to both groups, with her "little stories" about what mommy wasn't doing for her (telling the school at one point that I refused to make her lunches and that I locked her in her room when she got home from school so that I wouldn't have to deal with her.)(I've had more than one visit from social services because of her "stories)
Anyway I am now with a wonderful man, who by my accounts until now has been a saint with enormous levels of patience. Something I have to admit I was using to help elevate my own, But lately we have both come to a point where we are seriously considering those boot camps you see on tv just to get a break.
A few months ago I got the bright idea to try and take her off her medications and go with a more natural approach to try and allieviate the symptoms of the ADD. My doctor approved the move, but I can't really tell if it's doing any good because of the ODD...something I didn't take into account when I got the light bulb moment. I'm worried about the effects of the Concerta at the major dosage of 36mgs (now going on 8 years of use) on her physicality. She's not even 80lbs yet because the drugs inhibit her appetite and her sleeping habits are horrific, also a side effect.
In all honesty it's getting hard to feel the love, for her anymore and that frightens me. Our past problems (and there were many times I had to fight just to keep her because of her behavior and lies and not to mention the hurt I've had to swallow because of her ODD) and her current mix of preteen hormones and ADD/ODD are driving my stress levels through the roof and threatening the very solidity of our little family.
I could really use some advice, a major load of new ideas on how to deal with her defiance , consequenses and some destressors for my hubby and I. I thank anyone who responds with a full heart.
Anyway I am now with a wonderful man, who by my accounts until now has been a saint with enormous levels of patience. Something I have to admit I was using to help elevate my own, But lately we have both come to a point where we are seriously considering those boot camps you see on tv just to get a break.
A few months ago I got the bright idea to try and take her off her medications and go with a more natural approach to try and allieviate the symptoms of the ADD. My doctor approved the move, but I can't really tell if it's doing any good because of the ODD...something I didn't take into account when I got the light bulb moment. I'm worried about the effects of the Concerta at the major dosage of 36mgs (now going on 8 years of use) on her physicality. She's not even 80lbs yet because the drugs inhibit her appetite and her sleeping habits are horrific, also a side effect.
In all honesty it's getting hard to feel the love, for her anymore and that frightens me. Our past problems (and there were many times I had to fight just to keep her because of her behavior and lies and not to mention the hurt I've had to swallow because of her ODD) and her current mix of preteen hormones and ADD/ODD are driving my stress levels through the roof and threatening the very solidity of our little family.
I could really use some advice, a major load of new ideas on how to deal with her defiance , consequenses and some destressors for my hubby and I. I thank anyone who responds with a full heart.