ADHD and teen
 

My dd is 13 and is making my, and everyone else's, life MISERABLE! She swings from being happy to extreme anger to tears all within one conversation.

She has threatened to throw things at me and her grandmother if we do not leave her alone. She will go to her room saying she has to "punch something".

Lately she has even said she has had thoughts of doing something to herself, but then says she wouldn't actually do that. It worries me that she is saying this, even though I have read all the statistics that say that when someone is threatening to do it they rarely do. I just don't know what to do anymore.

I'm afraid her medication may need to be changed. She's been on the Daytrana patch, 30 mg, for a couple of years now, and I don't know what other medication we can use. We've tried Adderall, Vyvanse, and Concerta. I just know that something has got to give!

What concerns me the most is that my father is bipolar, and I know there is a thin line between ADHD and bipolar.

Please, has anyone else been through this? We see a really great doctor who specializes in ADHD and behavior disorders, but we can't get in to see him for another week. I could really use some advice/suggestions on what to do!

Re: ADHD and teen
 

Hi, my daughter has the same problems. She went from punching things, saying she wanted to die and hated her life to punching her brother. I feared she would really hurt him one day. Can´t you tell the doc that it´s an emergency and see if you can get her seen sooner. My daughter sees a psychiatrist now for therapy and it´s really helped. She used to bite her nails, constantly move her feet and bite the inside of her cheek. She has stopped all of this now and is a lot calmer.

I didn´t realise how we were all constantly walking on eggshells until she improved.

Is is possible that as well as reviewing her meds, she could be reassessed and have therapy as well as meds to talk over her feelings.

Having said that my daughter refused to see someone until things got so bad and she realised she didn´t want to live like that anymore. She thought that she was totally alone and that nobody could help her.

Hope you get her sorted soon, I know what a scary situation it can be. Until she can be seen try and give her some space and avoid things that "set her off".

I hope she improves soon.

Re: ADHD and teen
 

i really wish you the best you should try to get her into see a therapist. I know at our local hospital you can take anyone even children to the emergency room and they will be moniterwed for three days to see if there is anything that is going on.

If she does get that bad, or she tries to hurt herself. you need to call the police and they will escort her to the emergency room and she will be monitered for three days. there she may be able to get the start for the help that she needs. I know it may seem like you don't want too.

But its just an option that is availalbe. Its pretty much all I can think of for now. I wish you all the best.

Re: ADHD and teen
 

I don't know where you read or what stats you're referring to that say most people who say they are going to commit suicide aren't going to. Teens with ADHD are at a much higher risk.

If you see behavioural changes and your child is on medication it could be side effects. Teens go thru all the challenges of puberty AND emotional dysregulation of adhd. It is bound to be extreme.

I'd be talking to my childs doc about her behaviour changes, and about a med change. It can take a long time to find just the right med and the right dosage but don't give up, often parents will pull the plug on a med too quickly.

There isn't a fine line between bipolar and ADHD. If your daughters moods change within minutes or hours it's ADHD, if her moods change after days or weeks.. then it may be bipolar.

Rapid changes in emotions is very much a part of adhd. It sounds like meds not working or med side effects. What does your daughter say? i'm guessing you've talked to her.

Re: ADHD and teen
 

see your child's doctor a threat of suicide is just as important as the thought that they might follow through.