Inattentive ADHD

[Smbees37]

My 8th grade son is drowning because of the inattentive ADHD. He's slowly giving up on school. We tried Ritalin, but he didn't like the way he felt and then Concerta, which he had a terrible reaction to that resulted in a trip to the ER. There are things stressing him out besides school. Counseling hasn't been a good fit yet. The school hasn't found a tutor. Expensive online tutoring was suggested. There's a 504 plan in place, but the teachers aren't sure how to help. I think they feel my son is lazy. Watching his self-esteem wither away is heartbreaking. I'd like to connect with people who have learned how to wrangle their inattentive ADHD. Thank you for listening.

[Mellowd]

Don't give up on meds. My son has tried several and he's doing fairly well on strattera

[Trishachris]

My 8th grade son is having such a hard time so I️ totally understand what you are going through right now. My son has had reactions to several medications. He also has a 504 plan. Adhd has nothing to do with laziness. The adhd child’s brain and nervous system are wired differently that’s all. I️, myself, am having a very hard time lately with my son’s behavior in school. I️ can totally relate to all of your concerns.

[jogoldy]

I am also joining this chat line today because I finally needed to reach out to other parents that are struggling as I am. I have a 13 year old son who is on concerta. He continues to distract classes and is now starting to have minor problems with friends. He procrastinates and finds it next to impossible to learn the simplest of organizational and time management skills. I get so incredibly frustrated trying to teach him things that he just refuses to learn - like keeping an organized folder. I then lash out in anger - screaming and berating him for not caring. It is a vicious circle and I am only hurting him and our relationship. I don't know where to turn.

[Kellyrn1 in reply to jogoldy]

Wow- I feel like I wrote this!!!!!! My 13 year old has been max dose of Concerta for years! He is getting worse and worse. By far the worst school year yet and he has an IEP and a TON of support. Counseling has not worked in the past but I’m at my wits end. He has an appointment next week with a counselor who specializes in adhd. Hoping for some help!! Finally!! I feel like I’m losing my son. All we do is fight. I go from 0-10 in seconds with him. I just wish he would TRY more. Especially now that he is getting older. Is he worse because of puberty?? I also feel his teachers don’t have a good understanding of ADHD -which is shocking to me. Hope things start to get better for you!!

[dmk24]

My 14 year old takes daytrana which is a patch. It goes on the upper thigh and lasts about 9 hours. As a patch it is a constant release of meds unlike a pill. It has worked great for him the last few years. It is difficult to get at times but smaller pharmacies seem to be able to get it easier.

A friend had her son try almost every medication over the years. Nothing really worked- he was either a zombie, didn’t eat, didn’t sleep. Depended on the medication. She tried the daytrana and she called to say it has been working for him.

Worth a try for certain. Good luck

[Treasa11]

I also have a son, 12, with inattentive type. We are in the same boat. And I have to admit, sometimes it does feel like they’re just not trying. I know that’s not the case. But, three hours in to homework and only 5/15 questions answered...I want to pull my hair out. I think hormones and middle school in general probably compound the problem. I’m looking for support and help took. Are there classes or training they can take for organizational skills and time management? As awful as it is for all of you too, I am glad to hear I am not alone. I’m starting to feel crazy.

[hurtingdaily in reply to Treasa11]

"three hours in to homework and only 5/15 questions answered"

That sums up my typical weekday evening monitoring my 12 yr old's homework

Big hug to you. I am in a crazy state all week and really starting to worry about my mental health. Your post is 10 months old, any updates? How are things going?