Just Wondering....

I have 3 total (1 that is now grown, 1 that is 19 yrs and 1 that is 14 yrs) with ADHD, impulsivness and yes at times depression. The depression is normal for kids with ADHD as is the impulsivness. It depends on the age also as teens usually go through mood swings as it is and when you add ADHD it intensifies the emotion. The 19 yr was so bad when he was 14 that the doctor diagnosed him as bipolar. He was put on mood stablizers for 3 yrs only to find out that it was not bipolar at all but was a moody teenager with adhd. Right now we are dealing with disorganization that is part of ADHD and how to resolve that before it becomes more of a problem. After 19 it ususally becomes less of a problem or something that can be controlled on their own (or by that age they should have tricks and skills to manage it).
If you have any more questions about dealing with kids 11-19 yrs with adhd just ask and I will try my best to help.

I just happen to be researching something else when I ran across a paragraph in this web article concerning hyperactivity and learning disabilities: http://www.crohns.net/Miva/education/candidiasis_for_chil...

Also in my readings I discovered in this article http://www.yeastinfectionadvisor.com/yeastinfectioninchil... that mental difficulties are caused by this candidiasis (pronounced can-di-die-uh-sis), including depression. Candidiasis, though seen mostly in women, effects everyone.

I hope this helps..

Hi K., Have you heard about Limu? It is a drink with fucoidan(from a seaweed plant called limu moui) It is having positive affects on people who have diabetes. They also have had children with autism and adhd drink it and are seeing that they are acting calmer and more focused and dont need to take any medicine. It helps relieve symptoms of all sorts of stuff like allergies,joint pain,migranes,makes you feel focused, cancer patients and more
Please check it out at www.healinglimu.com
This drink is so amazing!!!!!!!
I am positive it will help out your sons.

K.,
I have have 2 boys, twins, and both have adhd. One I believe has some depression, but that has never been diagnosed. We have many issues to deal with also. Are either of the adhd boys seeing a phychologist or some kind of doctor other than primary care? It is very important for you and them to get help through a source like that. You need it too. They can help teach you how to help your boys. It doesn't matter if they take meds or if you are against meds, you still need the help. Believe me! Adhd can be a gift, if you know how to deal with it in a positive way. I truly believe that.

I also have 3 boys. My oldest son has just been diagnosed with ADHD with impulsivity. I'm new to it all but I have wondered if he had other issues like depression. He has been on his meds for about 2 weeks but this morning was a set back for sure. Also my middle one seems to be showing signs of hypereactivity but I don't even want to think about meds for both of them. It seems alot of people look down on you for putting your kids on meds anyway. My little one is only 11months so we will see on him. I don't know about you but my boys are very strong willed. It would be nice to talk with someone else about all these issues.

I had a son with diabetes. a great doctor is John Galgani at Essex Health Care in Florissant. He can be his primary and endro. he cared for my son for 15 years. As for the other two, the best dr in town in John Mantavoni and his partner is Dr Altman. These guys specialize in adhd. they are neurologists. Please get the guys on some meds and then teach them to cope with their diseases. It is not the end of the world, although, sometimes you feel that way. You and your husband obviously have the genes also. If you let the boys know that you are getting evaluated, it may help them also. This way it is a team working together. I am an avid vounteer for the American Diabetes Association. They have set up a memorial for him, called the Casey Fund. It is a summer camp for children with diabetes. If you would like more information on fundraising dates, etc., please let me know. Hang in there.

My son is 9 and was diagnosed when he was 4 with ADHD and then later with an Anxiety Disorder. Most recently he was tried on Risperdal for possible Bipolar. The meds cause him to have worse anxiety and our psychiatrist seemed upset with us for wanting to take him off of it. She also refused to treat just anxiety. He does well at school but at home pesters his 4 yr old sister, gets angry easily, can't sit still for long and is easily bored. We are now searching for a new psychiatrist. It is exhausting a scary to parent a child like this.

K.,

I have two close relatives who were diagnosed with ADD and then struggled with depression once they hit puberty. Apparently, this link is very common. I can just imagine how frustrating it would be to have difficulty concentrating. Both of them dealt with the depression by treating the ADD, one with meds and one without. From their experience my advice would be to be your child's advocate, getting opinions and advice from multiple doctors and publications. Get as much help as possible! Both of my relatives are now happy adults who have learned to deal with these issues in a positive way. God bless!

I don't know much about depression, but have you talked to a dietician about a diet for your sons with adhd? Many children have improvements when their diet does not contain any processed foods and sugar. Organic, whole, fresh foods do not contain any of the additives, preservatives, and added sugar that processed foods do. Making your own meals instead of buying fast food or packaged, frozen and ready made items can help. Maybe you've already looked into this, I don't know. But, it's definitely worth a try if you haven't.

I have three boys myself so I know your plate is full! The best advice I can give you is to make sure your plate and theirs is full of nutrition! The majority of my day is focused on balancing their food and snacks with whole grain, low sugar, organic meals and snacks. Also balancing water with milk and juice as beverages. Also, turning the tv off and requiring them to play with toys and when it's nice outside, playing out there. If you are interested in going back to school, look into some classes about nutrition and child development. It's not an easy change to make. Start with one thing. Like switch to organic milk. Then the next week, pick one more thing to switch. You don't have to go all or nothing. A little at a time will make it easier...on you and your budget!

Hope this helps! Your children's health...mental, emotional, and physical is the most important part of being a parent. Best wishes!

Do you have some one that can give you a break, keep them active in sports or some thing to wear them out. Get them involved in a chuch program, that might help. B.

K. D

Depression in kids is REAL. I have worked with a few people who might help. St John's Mercy Hospital has Edgewood. This is a great place to get help for depressed kids. Good help for parents.###-###-#### is the Family Theropy Office.

I know you have a very full plate. Please get some information and help to understand how to deal with all of this stuff.

I'm a mother of 3. My daughter has been diagnosed with ADHD and severe depression as well. Some days can be very difficult just with her. And then you factor in my 2 boys and it gets almost unimaginable. Sometimes it's hard to know what to say or do to help. Making sure that your son has someone that he trusts to talk to when he needs to, is the best thing you can do. Ofcourse, it may not be you, but he still needs to know that you're always there ready to listen and that you're always on his side. Sometimes just being there is the best thing you can do. They need to know that they're not alone. That the whole world is NOT against them. Depression is a very lonely place. I suffered with it when I was a teenager and mostly I remember feeling like there was noone that could understand how I felt. I felt so alone. It's almost a paralysing feeling. Just knowing that you're not alone helps alot. Do you attend a church? If so you might consider talking with the pastor about his depression. Most churches offer counseling. There might be someone there that has been through a similar situation, that can help. I wish you all the luck in the world. Just don't let him see you getting frustrated and upset about it. In a state of depression, he's liable to blame himself for that and become even more depressed. Good luck.

Dear K., You might consider reading about diabetes in Dr Ray Strand's book "What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Nutritional Medicine" from your library. I have a CD about ADHD if that would help.

Hello- I am an adult with ADD/ADHD with obsessive compulisions & I am a manic depressive/bipolar. Let's take this from his perspective:
I am not sure if you are medicating; I was not medicated because I was not diagnosed until I was 21!!! Just give lots of support & let him know you are always open to hear EVERYTHING (Even his dark thoughts you need to pay special attention to these) My dad used to get pissed off when I would go through a mood swing & would tell me to stop having a pity party & that made me want to kill myself because I knew something was wrong with me but he didn't care enough to listen. Don't do it!!!! My father & I are still astranged in our relationship & now I am 26. Be patient with him. Be firm with him. Most of all be open to be there to walk him through anything he needs. If you need more help feel free to email me @ ____@____.com (I picked my mail name when I was 15, don't laugh!!!) Love Jenni