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Diagnosed With ADHD, On Adderall, Becoming More Defiant, Impulsivity Worsening. Is It Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ?
My 16-yr old son has been diagonosed with ADHD,expressive and receptive language disorders,auditory processing disorders, etc. He is under a doctor's care and currently taking Aderall. He is also a compulsive liar and most recently is starting to steal. He is becoming more defiant as well. I was on Anafranil at the time I became pregnant with him, but stopped taking it as soon as I found out I was expecting. He was born with a hole in his heart and premature lungs, but the hole closed on its own and he has been healthy otherwise. My husband and I are concerned that if his lying and stealing behaviors and impulsivity continue to worsen, he will have a rough life ahead. Could this be considered a post traumatic stress disorder?
Mon, 15 Jul 2013
Hello
It does not look like a post traumatic stress disorder. I am sure you must be seeing a child psychiatrist who would be the best person to consult. In terms of medical management there are other options like Ritalin and atmoxetine for ADHD, but you should not take them without consulting your doctor.
best wishes
It does not look like a post traumatic stress disorder. I am sure you must be seeing a child psychiatrist who would be the best person to consult. In terms of medical management there are other options like Ritalin and atmoxetine for ADHD, but you should not take them without consulting your doctor.
best wishes
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3 Doctors agree with this answer
User's Response
Dr. Balaji Bharadwaj,
Psychiatrist's Response
Psychiatrist's Response
ADHD can be controlled with a number of medications: methylphenidate, atomoxetine or amphetamine (Aderall). However, these are to be given only after adequate assessment and evaluation by a child psychiatrist.
Children who have receptive and expressive language disorder need to be evaluated carefully by a child psychiatrist & a speech therapist for adequate inputs in terms of speech therapy.
Lying and stealing and becoming more defiant than before are symptoms seen in Conduct Disorder. Conduct disorder is a common complication or outcome of ADHD. The good news is that the same medications which control symptoms of ADHD can eventually control conduct symptoms. However, there need to be certain modifications in the way you handle him. How to set limits on his behaviour and how to set ground rules are important things that a child psychiatrist/ psychologist can teach you. It needs to be practiced consistently at home and by all family members.
If these conduct symptoms have been of recent and sudden onset, and if they are associated with sleep disturbance (a reduced need for sleep), increased and rapid rate of speech or with overcheerfulness, singing, being overjoyed with lot of boastfulness, he may be having a mood disorder. In that case mood stabilisers may be preferred.
You may get him evaluated by a child psychiatrist (a psychiatrist who specialises in child and adolescent mental health) and he will be able to help you best.
Children who have receptive and expressive language disorder need to be evaluated carefully by a child psychiatrist & a speech therapist for adequate inputs in terms of speech therapy.
Lying and stealing and becoming more defiant than before are symptoms seen in Conduct Disorder. Conduct disorder is a common complication or outcome of ADHD. The good news is that the same medications which control symptoms of ADHD can eventually control conduct symptoms. However, there need to be certain modifications in the way you handle him. How to set limits on his behaviour and how to set ground rules are important things that a child psychiatrist/ psychologist can teach you. It needs to be practiced consistently at home and by all family members.
If these conduct symptoms have been of recent and sudden onset, and if they are associated with sleep disturbance (a reduced need for sleep), increased and rapid rate of speech or with overcheerfulness, singing, being overjoyed with lot of boastfulness, he may be having a mood disorder. In that case mood stabilisers may be preferred.
You may get him evaluated by a child psychiatrist (a psychiatrist who specialises in child and adolescent mental health) and he will be able to help you best.
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