tina35
08-13-2007, 10:40 AM
my daughter is 10 years old and very down in the mouth with the whole adhd thing. she's on 108mg 0f concerta xl daily she lost her hair (that has now grown back) with out her med's she cant write do her laces or zipper even as much as sit and eat a meal!she cant have a sentence as her mind is racing to the next thing. when she does have her tabs she has days where she does nothing but cry and wants cuddles all day. she gets angry with herself and all tho's around her. she feels very isolated and does not think she is normal no matter how many times we tell her she is the best thing thats ever happend to us. she just needs to know she snot alone.....
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gdschillins
08-15-2007, 11:18 PM
This may help and may not. I'm 32 but when I was young thats exactly how I was. Back then they though females just acted out so I wasn't tested for ADD/ADHD until I was in college. I took meds for a while but I'm not good with them. I can't focus on much of anything for long even now. She's not the only one. Infact, my 5 year old shows the same signs as I did as a child. Your daughter is lucky because now they actually believe it's not just this or that, there is a way to treat it!'
God speed.
God speed.
rheanna
08-17-2007, 03:18 AM
tina35,
At her age, fitting in with the other kids is very important, and she's all too aware that she's too chaotic to fit in. Feeling like there's no place for you leads to anger and depression -- it certainly did when I was a kid.
I would like to suggest something that I wish had happened when I was a kid. Perhaps you could spend some time thinking of what there is about her that is positive, and show her how these positive traits make her an addition to the world, and concentrate on helping her to find a way to channel her uniqueness into something that she can feel proud of. This, of course, will be a long-term thing, as it takes a long time to learn to like yourself when all you have noticed up to now is that you can't make friends and you can't concentrate on schoolwork and you have no idea what your talents are.
Is there anything that she has a talent for? You might need to provide some structure to make sure that she is able to stick with lessons and regularly attend groups or lessons. If she can stick with something long enough to turn that talent (what she finds easy to do) into a skill (what she has learned the skills to do well), then that will go a long way to showing her in real life that she is actually good at something. Having parents tell her that she is loved is important of course, but she also needs to see that she has someplace in real life that she can feel she is contributing to.
When I was a kid (with inattentive ADD) I showed a talent for art. I never got to study in a class or with an art instructor. I never got to pursue turning my inborn talent into a skill. I was too filled with anger and depression because I looked around me and saw all those other kids who were successes and seemed to find doing things easy, while I couldn't seem to do anything right. I really wish that someone had put me into art lessons and guided me to feel that I could be a success at something, so that I could see in real life that I was a functioning person in at least one area of my life.
No, your daughter isn't the only one!
Ask her what she would like to take lessons in. It can be a sport, or learning more about math, or taking knitting/crocheting/embroidery lessons, or spending time working with the animals at the animal shelter. What is her interest or passion? Once she has started in some direction, it will be up to you to see that she continues, because it's so easy for a person with ADD to find excuses not to do things (ahem!, as she - meaning me! - sits here typing on her keyboard instead of working on the projects that she knows she loves and has talent in :D -ahem!). But if your daughter can feel successful at something, then that will go a long way towards easing her anger and depression.
You're a good mom for asking -- I hope that you get some suggestions here that will help.
--Rheanna
At her age, fitting in with the other kids is very important, and she's all too aware that she's too chaotic to fit in. Feeling like there's no place for you leads to anger and depression -- it certainly did when I was a kid.
I would like to suggest something that I wish had happened when I was a kid. Perhaps you could spend some time thinking of what there is about her that is positive, and show her how these positive traits make her an addition to the world, and concentrate on helping her to find a way to channel her uniqueness into something that she can feel proud of. This, of course, will be a long-term thing, as it takes a long time to learn to like yourself when all you have noticed up to now is that you can't make friends and you can't concentrate on schoolwork and you have no idea what your talents are.
Is there anything that she has a talent for? You might need to provide some structure to make sure that she is able to stick with lessons and regularly attend groups or lessons. If she can stick with something long enough to turn that talent (what she finds easy to do) into a skill (what she has learned the skills to do well), then that will go a long way to showing her in real life that she is actually good at something. Having parents tell her that she is loved is important of course, but she also needs to see that she has someplace in real life that she can feel she is contributing to.
When I was a kid (with inattentive ADD) I showed a talent for art. I never got to study in a class or with an art instructor. I never got to pursue turning my inborn talent into a skill. I was too filled with anger and depression because I looked around me and saw all those other kids who were successes and seemed to find doing things easy, while I couldn't seem to do anything right. I really wish that someone had put me into art lessons and guided me to feel that I could be a success at something, so that I could see in real life that I was a functioning person in at least one area of my life.
No, your daughter isn't the only one!
Ask her what she would like to take lessons in. It can be a sport, or learning more about math, or taking knitting/crocheting/embroidery lessons, or spending time working with the animals at the animal shelter. What is her interest or passion? Once she has started in some direction, it will be up to you to see that she continues, because it's so easy for a person with ADD to find excuses not to do things (ahem!, as she - meaning me! - sits here typing on her keyboard instead of working on the projects that she knows she loves and has talent in :D -ahem!). But if your daughter can feel successful at something, then that will go a long way towards easing her anger and depression.
You're a good mom for asking -- I hope that you get some suggestions here that will help.
--Rheanna
index.html
08-17-2007, 05:00 AM
GREAT post, Rheanna!
kerr0098
09-04-2007, 01:27 AM
I don't know if this will help but my 7 year old is on concerta 72 mg once a day. It is still not enough and the doctor said he wanted to increase it and i had to tell him no. It will be tough at school and it's still tough at home. My son only weighs 45 pounds. I don't know if i made the right decision but i hope i did.
Brocallie
09-04-2007, 10:41 AM
108 mg is a horribly high dose. Was that a typo? My 10 yo is only on 36 mg.
I agree with finding something that your dd is good at and NURTURE it. This summer, my 10 yo discovered swim team. She is a natural, and quickly moved up the ranks of her team to be top seed at the meets. She gets so much pride from performing her strokes properly and of course a LOT of her hyperness is burned away from all the activity.
Hope things improve.
Cally
I agree with finding something that your dd is good at and NURTURE it. This summer, my 10 yo discovered swim team. She is a natural, and quickly moved up the ranks of her team to be top seed at the meets. She gets so much pride from performing her strokes properly and of course a LOT of her hyperness is burned away from all the activity.
Hope things improve.
Cally
mcr285
09-04-2007, 01:44 PM
i was also concerned about the 108 mg dose! is that really how much she is taking??? also, is hair loss a normal thing with taking that form of medication, or were you referring to something else? i've never heard of hair loss with ADD or ADD meds, but there seems to be a lot i've never heard of after reading this board (and i do have ADD!)!
my own experience with extended release pills is that while it might work for some people, it actually made my symptoms much worse! my doc said that some people metabolize extended release pills differently - either too quickly, or too slowly, or something like that - so that it actually works against them instead of for them.
anyway, have you tried giving your daughter regular concerta twice a day, instead of using the XR?
my own experience with extended release pills is that while it might work for some people, it actually made my symptoms much worse! my doc said that some people metabolize extended release pills differently - either too quickly, or too slowly, or something like that - so that it actually works against them instead of for them.
anyway, have you tried giving your daughter regular concerta twice a day, instead of using the XR?
hotdam
09-04-2007, 11:38 PM
no your daughter is not the only one, I have a 12 year old who is ADHD, no friends and stays home after school playing video games after home work of course, he has such tremedous focus on the games, this is what he loves and enjoys doing. He does not like sports or playing outside as much as I wish he would but he has no one to hang with and I feel so bad for him that at his age I prayed he would have lots of friends.
our children are special, and other children do not understand and that is okay, one day my son will be what he has always wanted to be and that is a a paleantologist hope I spelled it right. the study of dinosaurs and I will be there everystep of the way encouraging him.
the sad part is my husband of all people does not understand
ADHD and thinks our son is just being bad to be bad and as moms we know that isnt the case. love to all of you. our kids are the best arent they.:angel:
our children are special, and other children do not understand and that is okay, one day my son will be what he has always wanted to be and that is a a paleantologist hope I spelled it right. the study of dinosaurs and I will be there everystep of the way encouraging him.
the sad part is my husband of all people does not understand
ADHD and thinks our son is just being bad to be bad and as moms we know that isnt the case. love to all of you. our kids are the best arent they.:angel:
index.html
09-05-2007, 04:28 AM
anyway, have you tried giving your daughter regular concerta twice a day, instead of using the XR?
There is only one form of Concerta and it is an extended release formulation. The medicine contained in Concerta - methylphenidate - is available in shorter acting forms (like Ritalin), but it isn't brand-named "concerta".
There is only one form of Concerta and it is an extended release formulation. The medicine contained in Concerta - methylphenidate - is available in shorter acting forms (like Ritalin), but it isn't brand-named "concerta".
mcr285
09-05-2007, 08:15 PM
There is only one form of Concerta and it is an extended release formulation. The medicine contained in Concerta - methylphenidate - is available in shorter acting forms (like Ritalin), but it isn't brand-named "concerta".
oops.... had no idea! i got on adderall over 10 years ago, and have only ever used adderall since (except once when i used the adderall XR, and once when i used generic adderall and hated both!). sorry! :)
oops.... had no idea! i got on adderall over 10 years ago, and have only ever used adderall since (except once when i used the adderall XR, and once when i used generic adderall and hated both!). sorry! :)
index.html
09-06-2007, 04:21 AM
It gets confusing since there is Adderall and Adderall XR, Ritalin and Ritalin SR. But, both Concerta and Metadate only come in the long acting forms.
You're right that 108mg is an insane dose. Even 72mg for a 7 year old seems way too high.
You're right that 108mg is an insane dose. Even 72mg for a 7 year old seems way too high.
sammyo1
09-07-2007, 10:12 PM
tina35, I hope you are still keeping up on the posts because I just came across this & it broke my heart. I have a daughter who is ADHD as am I.
My daughter was diagnosed is elementry school. Actually around the age of 10-11. She always felt different & was very down at times. Went through some majors down times in elementry school, Had not to many friends & what friends she had would turn on her. Broke my heart. did alot of crying for her. I told her put you chin up & don't let it get to you, walk away the others will find someone else to tease(unfortunatly). Took awhile with some responses like her saying are you that bored you have to tease me, or get a life,along with your not worth the time to respond to.. & so on..
Well she did not feel real smart at all, even when we knew she was. Many ADHA kids have hidden talents & are actually have high IQ's, very creative & athletic, sometimes it takes awhile but the special things these kids can do will show. For instance they often can multi task, & can keep up with things others cannot. Einstein was thought to have had ADHD along with many others, many athletes also have this.
My daughter did much better with friends when she entered the middle school level, we found that with all that energy she excelled in sports & was wonderful in art & could write with a more creative mind then most adults. Did learning ever come easy for her, no. Still does not. She always had felt alittle different but has a heart of gold. She has just turned 21 & decided after trying collage it was to tough for her to sit & study all the time, so she chose to attend a school in the future that has hands on learning, which is best for ADHD people. She still does not feel as smart at times as others but hey we are all different, the heart of gold is worth much more to us all then being a big brain(which her younger sister is, makes it tough for her to see this). She knows she will deal with this & that is ok now, there are tough times ahead for her but she is happy & it has made her stronger & much more caring & considerate of others.
My daughter went through her crying cause she could not do the homework, & she was so different for years, she did not come out of her shell until she was a wee bit older, & that was her time to shine. She still gets frustrated & has to be reminded to slow down think & make good decisions, I have it also I know it is hard, trust me you will find that something special about you. Just look for it, sure it may take sometime but it is there. We are all different no matter what, thats what makes us special. So I say to your daughter "you go for it, don't let anyone make you not feel special, you are, you are as good as everyone else & there are millions out there like you. We all have 2 eyes, 1 nose , 2 ears & so on. Don't let others get to you give it your best all the time darling & it will pay off, count to 10 when you get frustated or off focus or angry, try it & re focus. I look forward to hearing how you all are doing, been there & done that. As for as medication goes my daughter was on all kinds till we found what was best for her. Which was Adderall, I took it also. Make sure there are no other conditons existing with the ADHD, & that this is the best medication for her. Took us along time to get the right medication & educate ourselves about ADHD, now I am not embaressed or upset nor is my daughter so much, we are special in our own way & just took us alittle longer so what. good luck & god bless, Please let us know how you are all doing. Sammy
My daughter was diagnosed is elementry school. Actually around the age of 10-11. She always felt different & was very down at times. Went through some majors down times in elementry school, Had not to many friends & what friends she had would turn on her. Broke my heart. did alot of crying for her. I told her put you chin up & don't let it get to you, walk away the others will find someone else to tease(unfortunatly). Took awhile with some responses like her saying are you that bored you have to tease me, or get a life,along with your not worth the time to respond to.. & so on..
Well she did not feel real smart at all, even when we knew she was. Many ADHA kids have hidden talents & are actually have high IQ's, very creative & athletic, sometimes it takes awhile but the special things these kids can do will show. For instance they often can multi task, & can keep up with things others cannot. Einstein was thought to have had ADHD along with many others, many athletes also have this.
My daughter did much better with friends when she entered the middle school level, we found that with all that energy she excelled in sports & was wonderful in art & could write with a more creative mind then most adults. Did learning ever come easy for her, no. Still does not. She always had felt alittle different but has a heart of gold. She has just turned 21 & decided after trying collage it was to tough for her to sit & study all the time, so she chose to attend a school in the future that has hands on learning, which is best for ADHD people. She still does not feel as smart at times as others but hey we are all different, the heart of gold is worth much more to us all then being a big brain(which her younger sister is, makes it tough for her to see this). She knows she will deal with this & that is ok now, there are tough times ahead for her but she is happy & it has made her stronger & much more caring & considerate of others.
My daughter went through her crying cause she could not do the homework, & she was so different for years, she did not come out of her shell until she was a wee bit older, & that was her time to shine. She still gets frustrated & has to be reminded to slow down think & make good decisions, I have it also I know it is hard, trust me you will find that something special about you. Just look for it, sure it may take sometime but it is there. We are all different no matter what, thats what makes us special. So I say to your daughter "you go for it, don't let anyone make you not feel special, you are, you are as good as everyone else & there are millions out there like you. We all have 2 eyes, 1 nose , 2 ears & so on. Don't let others get to you give it your best all the time darling & it will pay off, count to 10 when you get frustated or off focus or angry, try it & re focus. I look forward to hearing how you all are doing, been there & done that. As for as medication goes my daughter was on all kinds till we found what was best for her. Which was Adderall, I took it also. Make sure there are no other conditons existing with the ADHD, & that this is the best medication for her. Took us along time to get the right medication & educate ourselves about ADHD, now I am not embaressed or upset nor is my daughter so much, we are special in our own way & just took us alittle longer so what. good luck & god bless, Please let us know how you are all doing. Sammy