My DS is 15 yo and has been diagnosed with ADHD. He didn't take meds for a long time because he didn't want to and he was getting by in school.

He started High School in September and we tried him on Dexadrine which helped immensely according to his teachers. He only takes it intermittenly and has stopped going to school. He doesn't go to sleep at night until about 3 or 4 AM and of course, can't get up for school. This sleep disorder is nothing new - since he was a baby he's had his days and nights turned around. To make a long story short, he has missed about 40 days of school and I have to do something. He has also become very angry and anytime I say 'NO' to him he busts up the walls in my house. He also talks to me in a very vulgar and abusive way. He is 6'2" and 170 lbs. I can't live like this anymore. I am a single parent with a full time job. I also have a 17 yo son who thinks the younger one needs to be sent away for help.

We have been working with the Children's Crisis Center, the school, and the neurologist they think he should be hospitalized and evaluated and possibly sent to a group home for awhile. I feel very guilty when I admit that some time without him sounds wonderful, but I feel awful to doing this to him - no matter what he is my 'baby'.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Sorry this is so long....

Ok first of all,welcome, and I'm sorry things are so bad for you right now,but hang in there. I think personally that the Idea of hospitalisation to get your sons medication sorted is exactly what is required here, and I most definately would not feel guilty about it sweety.
Your son is more than likely as unhappy,if not more so ,than you are. The correct medication can work wonders. I also think some time apart right now is a good Idea too.
Just keep in mind that what you are doing is for the sake of all of you,him included. Teenage years are hard for anyone, but more so those who are already struggling with life. I would listen to the professionals on this occasion,and I think sooner rather than later too.

I wish you the very best for you and your family

kate

Hallie,

Inpatient therapy can work wonders. The teach kids anger management, behavior modification, coping skills, and numerous other things. They also will do daily psycho therapy. I just had to do this with my 13 yo daughter. While she was there they discovered that not only did she have AD/HD (was dx'd in 1995) but also OCD, ODD, Deep Depression and they suspect Bipolar as well. She is doing better not as defiant and is working harder at doing her school work.

This is not an easy decision to make, but sometimes it is the best one to make.

Huggz hon, hope this will help and I also hope things get better.

Thank you so much for your support. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself. I am just at a desperate time. This is weighing on me so heavily. I almost feel like it is a betrayal to my son.

How did you get your daughter hospitalized? The social worker at the crisis center said I could either take him myself, if I could possibly talk him into going or I could have the police take him, which I would really like to avoid. He gets so angry and says he wants people to stop trying to help him.

I had never heard of ODD until recently, and I really think he has this too. I guess I really have to think of it as tough love.... I know he can't go on like this either and he's unhappy as well. Again, I can't tell you how much it means to find others who have gone through this.

Boogie was hospitalized because she tried to commit suicide. She was at a breaking point and I was having no luck getting appointments with psychologist or psychiatrists. Unfortunately I had just made an appointment the Friday before she tried it..which was on a Sunday.

Has your son seen a Psychiatrist? If so he can admit him along with his regular doctor. And if he is not willing to go..you might have to try drastic measures. It's best for him, otherwise I'm afraid his anger is going to cause even more harm than good. He will adventually loose his temper and become violent with someone other than you, and may end up in Juvenile detention because of it.

Please don't wait to long, if he is already exploding to the point he is punching holes in the wall, it won't be long before he will not get his fix from this behavior and will begin an even more dangerous behavior.

Huggz & Good Luck.

He has seen a psychiatrist who prescribed Adderall. When I called to say that he was not taking the meds and I think he should be hospitalized, he told me that no hospital will admit him for not taking his meds. He also told me that if my son is not taking his meds, there's no reason to have another office visit. Needless to say, I am looking for another psych. The first appointment I could get is May 21, which I think is too far away. I'm thinking I will try and get him to the hospital this Monday. I am going to tell him that he is going, and he can either go with me and I will stay with him as long as possible, or he can go with the police.

I would have to agree with Spirit on this one, Hallie.

While there is alot of information available on Anger Management, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder (CD) and others, it would appear that you are at the point where you need intervention-type help....now.

I know that its a painful thing for a parent to see a child going through all this, and even more painful when you have to make a decision as serious as this one. But ultimately, if you don't decide to get your son some help in the immediate future, things may very well escalate beyond where they are today.

Here are a couple of good links for you:
ODD & CD: http://www.klis.com/chandler/pamphlet/oddcd/oddcdpamphlet.htm
ODD: http://www.notmykid.org/parentArticles/ODD/default.htm
CD: http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2793.htm

Just know that we're here for you if you need to talk through this.