Rage in my 9 year old son! - Anger Management Message Board

mommyof5 · 03-01-2003, 11:03 AM

My son has ADHD and CAPD (central auditory processing disorder). He also seems to have a lot of rage. He takes 10mg ritalin 3 x a day, which definitly helps him at school. He's now a scolar since he started meds 1 year ago. It's this rage thing I can't seem to understand or get under control! When he gets mad he sometimes hits his sisters, he throws things, bangs walls, stomps around, punches the couch, takes swings at me (from a distance!), breaks toys, rips the covers and sheets off his bed, etc.

Does anyone know what I can do about this? He was the same way before the meds and I thought the meds would help him control himself but they haven't done anything for this part of him! I don't know what to do about it!

Could he have another thing wrong with him? I know there are all kinds of things out there, ex: OCD, bipolar, ODD, etc but does he fit any of this or are there more things I don't know about?

He NEVER acts this way at school, at scouts, at swimming, at grandma's, at friends' houses,etc.

I'm at my wits end with him, please help!

mommyof5

Katiepops · 04-29-2003, 03:21 PM

My nephew went throught ADHD bipolar the whole nine yards. They tested him and tested him for years. Tried different meds but he was just explosive at times. Finally a specialist at childrens hospital diagnosed him with Explosive Anger Disorder. Changed his meds and he is now a straight A student with no blowups at all. He is a normal 10 yr old boy now and a joy to be around. So if his meds are not working especially at that high a dosage I would keep on till I found out what was really wrong. Basically my nephews was a defeciency. Could be as simple as that with your child. Wish we would of known sooner, they flunked this child twice and labeled him a bad child..He had to got through alot for nothing. I hope your son gets what he needs..Good luck!!

mommyof5 · 04-30-2003, 05:22 AM

Katiepops,
I'm sorry to hear your nephew had to go through all that "Explosive Anger Disorder" SOUNDS like a good title for what my son does, I'll have to look it up.

I just want to make sure everyone understands that he doesn't just explode for NO reason - there's always a reason. It could be the slightest little thing - like stubbing your toe and he explodes.

I'm also wondering about genetics??? His biological father was the same way but worse, and he was verbally and physically abusive to me also. I sometimes went in the bathroom with the kids to hide until he calmed down. He would throw tools when working on cars when a bolt wouldn't come off easily. One time he was mad and ripped a door out of the doorframe hinges and all, then threw it down a flight of stairs, went downstairs and stomped on it until it was destroyed! I know this is NOT normal behavior and I see it in my son which scares me, he is such a sweet kid. And as I said before he doesn't display this behavior outside the home, but neither did his biological father! His biological father left April 04,1997 just after my son turned 3. The only memory my son can clearly tell me is the time his biological father slammed my sons door wide open and made a big hole in the wall from the doorknob scaring my son to death, all because my son wouldn't go to sleep! I don't think it could be learned behavior because we haven't seen hide nor hair of him since 6 years ago!

mommyof5

Katiepops · 04-30-2003, 09:08 AM

I know it sounds so bizarre but in reality guess it is real. It sounds possible for your son to have it that is what the blow ups frequent. Almost always something small such as a stubbed toe etc.. and they are now linking it to adulthood such as abuse cases in marriages. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain and it is treated similar to Adhd etc... but it takes awhile to get it leveled out. The best of luck to you. I know where you are at, our whole family had to live with our"angry" child for 10 years before we got relief but thank God we finally got it. Oh yeah meant to add about your ex husband that is is weird how genetics work and I do mean genetics. I believe you because my son has never been around his biological father since 1 yr of age and he has certain temperments even his actions such as his walk or his facial expressions. So I am a firm believer in genetics and not inherited by habit you have something there.

[This message has been edited by Katiepops (edited 04-30-2003).]

healthinterest · 06-03-2003, 07:37 PM

easy for me to say, but, try to find out if he has been or is being sexually molested. do it NOW!