My son was diagnosis with ODD when he was a young 5 year old. He began sweet as pie and something snapped. At 3 and 4 we were laughing and saying the terrible twos came late. At 5 we were wondering when they were going to leave. We took him to a psychologist who did play therapy. After about 6 sessions she said ODD. My husband and I, I guess, were in denial and felt that Bo would change over time. He is 9 now and worse than ever. I worry about medication treatment. Under it all he is creative, great at football and energetic. These I dont want to alter with medications. Can someone please tell me what the effects of these medications are and if you have tried several then let me know what has been the best.
How do the medications for ADHD and ODD do to the child
- Thread starter jules670
- Start date
AllStressedOut
New Member
Everything depends on your kiddo and what works for him. I have 3 that need medications and have taken them before and they react differently to each type. What medications is the doctor wanting to try?
trinityroyal
Well-Known Member
One thing you might want to consider, when looking at medications...ODD is rarely a standalone diagnosis. Has your little one been evaluated by a neuropsychologist? Have any other diagnoses been mentioned?
My difficult child has been on just about every ADHD medication in the book. Right now he's on Concerta, which works very well at managing symptoms, but doesn't rob him of his creativity or spark. Other medications left him with that "medicated" demeanour, which was very difficult.
I've heard the opposite from others, for whom Concerta was just awful.
You may have to try more than one, or a combination, until you find just the right mix that works for your little one.
All the best. There are many on this site with lots of wisdom and experience at this, who will likely weigh in with their comments.
Best of luck,
Trinity
My difficult child has been on just about every ADHD medication in the book. Right now he's on Concerta, which works very well at managing symptoms, but doesn't rob him of his creativity or spark. Other medications left him with that "medicated" demeanour, which was very difficult.
I've heard the opposite from others, for whom Concerta was just awful.
You may have to try more than one, or a combination, until you find just the right mix that works for your little one.
All the best. There are many on this site with lots of wisdom and experience at this, who will likely weigh in with their comments.
Best of luck,
Trinity
K
Kjs
Guest
My son has been diagnosis'd as ODD an a much younger age than that. From what I have been told over the past ten years is that there is no medication for ODD. Boy..I wish they had a pill to that would make him listen and behave. He had gotten to a point where he had so much anger they also added in Bipolar not otherwise specified. I am not convinced of that one though. Three years ago he started a mood stabalizer and that has helped tremendously with his anger and mood swings. Not the defiance. That we struggle with every day. My losing control and blowing up is probably the worst thing I could do. It is just so hard when You just cannot understand how they can be so defiant. I don't understand what is so hard about following directions and rules. He does have some good times, unfortunately that seems to be when there is no school. (no rules) But, the mood stabalizer has definately helped with anger and mood swings.
smallworld
Moderator
Welcome!
Sorry for all the questions, but your answers will help us point you in the right direction.
Besides the psychologist, has he ever been evaluated by a psychiatrist or neuropsychologist?
What makes you think he has ADHD? ODD behaviors can accompany many disorders, incuding but not limited to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
What kind of behaviors are you seeing that give you concern?
How does he do in school, both academically and with peers?
Any sensory issues (for example, sensitivity to clothing tags, loud noises, food textures)?
Any developmental or speech delays?
Any substance abuse or mental health disorders in the family tree?
Again, welcome. You will find a lot of support here.
Sorry for all the questions, but your answers will help us point you in the right direction.
Besides the psychologist, has he ever been evaluated by a psychiatrist or neuropsychologist?
What makes you think he has ADHD? ODD behaviors can accompany many disorders, incuding but not limited to anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
What kind of behaviors are you seeing that give you concern?
How does he do in school, both academically and with peers?
Any sensory issues (for example, sensitivity to clothing tags, loud noises, food textures)?
Any developmental or speech delays?
Any substance abuse or mental health disorders in the family tree?
Again, welcome. You will find a lot of support here.
Thank you for getting back to me so soon. Our doctor hasmentioned a mood stabilizer for my son. I was so terrified to hear of mood stabilizers being used for his extreme case. I was afraid of losing my son. I just kept thinking that in order to stop some of the fits, I would have to alter him. As of now, our pediatrician, school counselor and a child play therapist feel the diagnosis is ODD and possibly Add. I have one more appointment to go to in a couple of days with a behavior specialist who is affiliated with AI Dupont. My husband feels, as well as I do that we are better safe than sorry when it comes to a diagnosis.
AllStressedOut
New Member
I would agree about needing different opinions for a diagnosis. I have more than 3 on my oldest difficult child and 2 going on 3 on my younger two difficult children. I'm hoping this new psychiatrist gives us a more accurate picture of what is wrong and that the medication merry-go-round can stop soon. When you start medicating, it rarely goes right the first time. All medications and kids are different and everyone reacts differently. You may have to try medications a few times before it works out. Good luck!
smallworld
Moderator
I would strongly recommend getting your son to a child psychiatrist and neuropsychologist before starting on any medications. Pediatricians, school counselors and play therapists are not qualified to make such weighty dxes. For what it's worth, mood stabilizers do not treat ADHD; they treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder. If anyone is thinking your son needs a mood stabilizer, you need to see the right professionals ASAP.
AllStressedOut
New Member
I second smallworld about seeing a neuropsychologist for evaluation. Ours spent more time with my kids in one session than their previous psychiatrist spent with them in 1 year.
He was seen by a child psychologist when he was 5. 2 years ago at age 7 he was sent to AI DuPont Hospital for children to be checked for a brain tumor, diabetes,ect. He was then seen by an ENT for vocal cord nodules that he has developed due to the screaming he has done. The school counselor got involved with him last year for bullying other kids. Our pediatrician said that he could also have ADHD due to his impulsiveness. In the past 2 years school work is getting harder on him. He used to be straight A, sometimes a B would make it in there. His behavior at home is unbelievable. Just to get him to brush his teeth is a fight. He constantly beats up his little sister and then lies and says that she hit him first, ect. We will be right there and witness the whole thing and he will still stand strong with his version. My daughter cant even wake him up because he will chase her down the stairs and threaten to hurt her or break her neck. My two older sons cant stand to be in the same room with him. My sister wont babysit him and I am afraid to leave him anywhere else because of lack of patience. He was treated for speech problems. It was because of how he rolled his tongue or something. It wasnt a speech problem that was noticed by others. In school he does not argue with teachers. He will come home and call them every name in the book. In football is 100 percent energy but no disrespect to his coaches. As far as family history...I was diagnosis with a personality disorder when I was hospitalized at the age of 20. I tried to commit suicide follwing my sisters death and a break up. I did abuse drugs in my early years but nothing over the past 13 years. Twelve years following my hospitalization I was in the hospital again with depression that the facility said was bipolar type 2. I have been in counselling for 5 years now and the diagnosis was changed to major depression syndrome and no sight of a personality disorder. You can put my son on a field with other children and within 5 minutes there is turmoil. OF course, he didnt do it. By the time we leave a store, party, ect everyone knows his name.
smallworld
Moderator
No, it's a whole lot more training (as in years) for a psychiatrist. In general, psychologists tend to focus on behavior and not the underlying cause behind it, which is why you got an ODD diagnosis from a psychologist. ODD is rarely a stand-alone diagnosis; it is generally a set of behaviors that is fueled by an underlying cause such as anxiety, depresison or bipolar disorder. You need to figure out what is fueling your son's ODD behavior so you can put the proper interventions into place.
Furthermore, a neuropsychologist has extra training in how the brain functions and does extensive testing (6 to 12 hours) on the cognitive and psychological functioning of the child. Neurospychologists can be found at children's and university teaching hosptials. They can be very helpful in sorting out differential dxes.
Furthermore, a neuropsychologist has extra training in how the brain functions and does extensive testing (6 to 12 hours) on the cognitive and psychological functioning of the child. Neurospychologists can be found at children's and university teaching hosptials. They can be very helpful in sorting out differential dxes.
I would recomend asking the dr for info on the medications they want to put your child on. I would also ask the pharmacy about them as well. Have something in writting to refer back to if you have questions about the medication. You can also ask questions here. I know you will get more info on here of what most dr's try not to tell you with statistics and side effects.
I say this because Peanut had a really bad reaction to Abilify. On his 2nd dose half his body was paralized, he couldnt walk,barely talk and I had a hard time keeping him from falling asleep. With a long er visit and Benadril every 4 hrs he was good as new 2 weeks latter.
I say this because Peanut had a really bad reaction to Abilify. On his 2nd dose half his body was paralized, he couldnt walk,barely talk and I had a hard time keeping him from falling asleep. With a long er visit and Benadril every 4 hrs he was good as new 2 weeks latter.
F
flutterbee
Guest
I disagree with smallworld and Midwestmom re: psychologists. Psychologists that practice in a clinical setting generally have their doctorate. They also can and do diagnosis (diagnose) and will refer a patient to a psychiatrist for medication management. In my experience, they do look for an underlying cause as well as work on behavior as that is what is needed to help manage the various mental health issues, in addition to medication.
That said, I do agree that you need to see the right professionals before putting your child on psychiatric medications. There is no way I would let my pediatrician put my child on them; he/she doesn't have the specialized training. It would be like letting your gynecologist treat you for a heart condition.
That said, I do agree that you need to see the right professionals before putting your child on psychiatric medications. There is no way I would let my pediatrician put my child on them; he/she doesn't have the specialized training. It would be like letting your gynecologist treat you for a heart condition.
BusynMember
Well-Known Member
THey diagnose, but are often wrong, from my long experience.Also, they don't run evaluation tests, like NeuroPsychs. I consider THAT a huge deal. Psycologists, of which I've seen about twenty since I have bipolar and of which my son had a dozen or so, missed with both of us. They tended to focus on behavior therapy and totally missed the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). They told me my past caused my horrible depressions and couldn't explain (or didn't believe) my highs. I think Psychiatrists and NeuroPsychs are a better bet. It's certainly up to anyone who they take their kid to see, but in my opinion, I wouldn't trust a psycologist to get it right. I wouldn't trust ANYONE who didn't do some sort of serious evaluation. My son had twelve hours of evaluation with the neuropsychologist so he was able to see things that the other "quick triggers" missed. in my opinion just talking to the kid and the parents isn't enough.
F
flutterbee
Guest
Nobody does evaluation tests like a neuropsychologist except for a neuropsychologist. psychiatrists these days only dispense medications - very few provide therapy and, for those that do, it's difficult to get your insurance to cover it. Everything I read for various mental health ailments - everything from adhd to depression to bipolar and so on- stresses medications PLUS therapy, not one or the other.
smallworld
Moderator
I have three children who go to three different child psychiatrists for weekly psychotherapy and medication management. These psychiatrists really know my kids (two have been going for two years). I know we are the exception, not the rule, but it's the only way I'd trust anyone to medicate my children. And yes, we've had neuropsychologist testing to confirm the dxes the psychiatrists had already made (although technically a neuropsychologist cannot make a bipolar diagnosis, only a psychiatrist can).
Kimba
New Member
Well I can relate my son is also 9 with ODD and possibly other problems that we will be evaluating at his appointment with a therapist. I dread the thought of medicines for him because he is a great student, intellectually brilliant and very imaginative which are his positive traits. I am borderline bipolar and remember when a doctor had me on Lithium the side effects were terrible and the anxiety medicine made me a zombie so that is not what I want for my son. I am only on Effexor 75mg right now and it is doing great with no side effects so I am thrilled. My son has tried all of the homepopathic remeidies for hsi behavior, he does have allergies nad asthma and take shots for his allergies but that is all right now.
I am trying to stay on focus so that I remember that getting him on medicine can aide in the end result of a functioning child in school able to get along and relate to others without behavioral problems. So if medicine is available I am willing to try anything. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers and hope that the decision is one that you and your child will benifit from.
Take Care, Kimba
I am trying to stay on focus so that I remember that getting him on medicine can aide in the end result of a functioning child in school able to get along and relate to others without behavioral problems. So if medicine is available I am willing to try anything. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers and hope that the decision is one that you and your child will benifit from.
Take Care, Kimba
ME & THE BOYS
New Member
hELLO THERE,
i HAVE NOT READ EVERYONES REPLIES HERE (i APOLOGISE FOR i SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE TIME. WISH I DID!!!)
MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD, ODD AND ANXIETY AT AGED 5.
HE WOULD ASK ME FOR MILK AND WHEN I WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM, HE WOULD WHIP IT SAYING HE WANTED ORAGNGE JUICE. IT SEEMED HE FOUGHT ME ON EVERYTHING. I DESCRIBED HIM AS ''RUINING MY LIFE.'".
FIRST I WAS TOLD IT WAS TERRIBLE TWOS, THEN HORRIBLE THREES, THEN HE WAS ACTING OUT AS HE WAS JEALOUS OF HIS BROTHER.
WHEN I LOOK BACK NOW (2.5 YEARS LATER), I ACTUALLY THINK ALOT OF HIS ODD BEHAVIOUR WAS (AND STILL IS, BROUGHT ON MY ANXIETY). ..........I.E. HE USE TO RIDE HIS BIKE INTO A PUDDLE AND STAY THERE FROZEN STOPPED SCREAMING. I THOUGHT, WHY WON'T THIS CHILD RIDE HIS BIKE THRU THE PUDDLE AND WE WOULD HED HOME. HE SCREAMED I WANT TO GO HOME, I CHANGE MY MIND....
HIS ADHD WAS SOOOOOOOO OBVIOUS. HE IS HYPER BEYOND WORDS, AND VERY IMPULSIVE. HE WAS PLACED ON A NUMBER OF medications TO TRY AND GET HIS ADHD UNDER CONTROL. WHEN NONE WERE WORKING, THEY DECIDED THAT MAYBE THE ODD WAS THE PRIMARY ILLNESS. THEY WANTED TO PLACE HIM ON RESPERIDAL (WHICH WOULD HELP GREATLY WITH THE OUTBURST/HORRIBLE BEHAIOUR). THE ONLY THING IS, THE DRUG WAS NEVER APPROVED FOR THE ABOVE, BUT FOR PSYHOTIC BEHAVIOUR, HAULOUSINASIONS,,,. I TOTALLY SAID, "NO WAY" TO THIS DRUG. I DO HOWEVER KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE PLACED THERE KIDS ON THIS medication AND SAID IT WAS THERE 'SAVIOUR!!!".
WE TRIED YET MORE DRUGS FOR ADHD AND FINALLY FOUND ONE THAT TAKES DOWN HIS HYPERNESS/IMPUSLIVITY ABOUT 75%. IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN HIS OPPOSITIONAL BEHAVIOUR. MAYBE IT ALLOWS HIM MORE TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT HE IS DOING (AND THE CONSEQUENCES).
DOES THIS HELP AT ALL??
i HAVE NOT READ EVERYONES REPLIES HERE (i APOLOGISE FOR i SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE TIME. WISH I DID!!!)
MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD, ODD AND ANXIETY AT AGED 5.
HE WOULD ASK ME FOR MILK AND WHEN I WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM, HE WOULD WHIP IT SAYING HE WANTED ORAGNGE JUICE. IT SEEMED HE FOUGHT ME ON EVERYTHING. I DESCRIBED HIM AS ''RUINING MY LIFE.'".
FIRST I WAS TOLD IT WAS TERRIBLE TWOS, THEN HORRIBLE THREES, THEN HE WAS ACTING OUT AS HE WAS JEALOUS OF HIS BROTHER.
WHEN I LOOK BACK NOW (2.5 YEARS LATER), I ACTUALLY THINK ALOT OF HIS ODD BEHAVIOUR WAS (AND STILL IS, BROUGHT ON MY ANXIETY). ..........I.E. HE USE TO RIDE HIS BIKE INTO A PUDDLE AND STAY THERE FROZEN STOPPED SCREAMING. I THOUGHT, WHY WON'T THIS CHILD RIDE HIS BIKE THRU THE PUDDLE AND WE WOULD HED HOME. HE SCREAMED I WANT TO GO HOME, I CHANGE MY MIND....
HIS ADHD WAS SOOOOOOOO OBVIOUS. HE IS HYPER BEYOND WORDS, AND VERY IMPULSIVE. HE WAS PLACED ON A NUMBER OF medications TO TRY AND GET HIS ADHD UNDER CONTROL. WHEN NONE WERE WORKING, THEY DECIDED THAT MAYBE THE ODD WAS THE PRIMARY ILLNESS. THEY WANTED TO PLACE HIM ON RESPERIDAL (WHICH WOULD HELP GREATLY WITH THE OUTBURST/HORRIBLE BEHAIOUR). THE ONLY THING IS, THE DRUG WAS NEVER APPROVED FOR THE ABOVE, BUT FOR PSYHOTIC BEHAVIOUR, HAULOUSINASIONS,,,. I TOTALLY SAID, "NO WAY" TO THIS DRUG. I DO HOWEVER KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE PLACED THERE KIDS ON THIS medication AND SAID IT WAS THERE 'SAVIOUR!!!".
WE TRIED YET MORE DRUGS FOR ADHD AND FINALLY FOUND ONE THAT TAKES DOWN HIS HYPERNESS/IMPUSLIVITY ABOUT 75%. IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN HIS OPPOSITIONAL BEHAVIOUR. MAYBE IT ALLOWS HIM MORE TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT HE IS DOING (AND THE CONSEQUENCES).
DOES THIS HELP AT ALL??
