more than just ADHD?

[corster]

Does anyone feel there is more going on and the meds are not treating the real issue? My teenage son has tried 3 ADHD meds and it makes his OCD much worse. I’ve read this can happen if the meds are not treating the exact issue.

We are waiting to see a psychiatrist and social worker but in the meantime my teenage son has horrible side effects on ADHD meds (Strattera, Vysvane) with depression, lack of hunger and lack of sleep.

How do you find out what the real issue may be when the doctor just keeps trying different ADHD meds that don’t appear to work? (They do help with focus but that’s it).

[Janice_H]

It can take several trials of medications to find the right one. The psychiatrist will adjust dosing times, dosing amounts and may combine the use of more than one medication at a time. The side effects will eventually subside once your son's body is used to the medication. Don't give up hope. My son has been on 5 different trials before finding the right one.

[LetYourVoiceBHeard]

Hi I am new here. I do know that they tried my grandson on Adderall and his ODD was much worse. I took him off the medication. It is much easier to deal with him off the medication than on. And that is not saying much. We are scheduled to see a psychiatrist in January. It has been almost 60 days and still waiting on the state to help my grandson get medical. Sending you gentle hugs and hope you find some answers soon ((XX))

[anirush]

It was all trial-and-error and often one medication doesn't do the trick 1 of my grandsons has to be on risperdone for his anger, out the other 1 is on welbutrin for his depression.

One is on Stratera, the other on intuniv.

It is such a struggle and so frustrating when medications don't work. And the sad thing is you don't know until you try them.

[Elijah1]

Maybe his problem is not ADHD but is anxiety and OCD. If the latter, treat them first and see what, if anything, is left.

[MsJazzy]

I can be really frustrating finding the right treatment and intervention for any condition. Have you gotten a second opinion regarding the diagnosis of ADHD? Perhaps, ADHD is not the correct diagnosis. Continue to ask questions and try to narrow down what is really going on. This could take more time. I pray that you will find the answers that you need, so that you son can receive the best intervention. Stay strong and be hopeful.

[corster in reply to MsJazzy]

thanks so much. we are working on it.