My child has ADHD. Advice?
Amethyst asked:
My stepson has ADHD. Is this hereditary/genetic. I feel my husband presents a lot of the same symptoms. Absent-minded, inability to focus, impulsive. I want my husband to seek some help (at least rule it out). He refuses to do so and laughs at me. It is really difficult because I am always managing my stepson’s behavior and at the same time my husband acts in much of the same way. Should I just let it go or bring it up at my son’s session with psychologist (we have family sessions)
My stepson has ADHD. Is this hereditary/genetic. I feel my husband presents a lot of the same symptoms. Absent-minded, inability to focus, impulsive. I want my husband to seek some help (at least rule it out). He refuses to do so and laughs at me. It is really difficult because I am always managing my stepson’s behavior and at the same time my husband acts in much of the same way. Should I just let it go or bring it up at my son’s session with psychologist (we have family sessions)
Tags: Advice, Psychologist
January 10th, 2008 at 12:09 am
If you feel like you have to bring it up with your psychologist, then bring it up. If you want to resolve it at home, try to keep him heavily preoccupied with something like chores or (in his probable preference) video games or playing outside until he calms down
January 11th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Well did you drop him. if your husband has the same symptoms it could be hereditary but i belive that gene is usually caried by the mother so it would be you or someone in youyr family that gave it to him. but dont worry its not contagious and if they act up dont be affraid to get physical.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I would bring it up in the next meeting.
January 13th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Everybody has ADHD nowadays. Get him into an activity he enjoys whether it is sports or some sort of club. Give him an outlet. Karate lessons or something. Please don’t just subdue with meds. I think that is all a crock. I know ADHD is not the source of his problems.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
You may not be able to help your husband much but before you medicate your son please read the book by Don Colbert,Bible cures for ADD or ADHD.Alot of this is caused by what kids eat, they eat so many processed food with red dyes and sugar and artifical sweetners and so on.Please just read the book ,I did not do everything in the book but you will see a big difference if you just do a few. Good luck
January 19th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
My son has ADHD also. I took him to a clinic at UNCG that only does ADHD. We are involved in a research project through them concerning the genetic component of ADHD. I personally do believe it runs in families. My ex husband showed a lot of the same symptoms when he was a child. It does tend to get better with age but my ex still shows some symptoms, mostly the impulse control issues. I would bring your concerns up in your family session. That’s why you are there.
And a quick side note to the people saying ADHD is not real and is not the cause of your son’s problems…You have no idea what you’re talking about. I agree ADHD is over diagnosed but some kids really DO have it and benefit greatly from behavior modification therapy, social skills groups and medication. My son went from just about failing & being a constant problem in school last year to a straight A student.
January 20th, 2008 at 6:42 am
YES YES YES, ADHD is, in fact, inherited. My husband is just like yours and just laughs it off, but he DOES accept it since our oldest son has ADHD, but since medicated, has been truly excelling academically. In fact, my mother said that my brother exhibited the exact same issues when he was younger, but ADHD was not prevalant back in the early 70s. But, yes, allow the “professional” (since hubbies rarely listen and take us seriously) repeat what I am saying. Take care and understand when the meds are wearing off during the day. My son is on 45mg of Concerta (one dose in the a.m.) and by 5pm, he’s acting “crazy”. I have to understand it and adjust the happenings in the house to accommodate him. It’s all good.
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:28 am
Don’t believe in ADHD, sorry. I think it is normal kid behavior that they haven’t learned to deal with. Try getting him into some active sports and teach him to think for himself and reason through things!
January 24th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
I say, you married the guy. So leave him alone quit trying to change him.
ADHD is crap. I know some people really have it. But way too many people are being diagnosed with ADHD that should not be. Maybe this child has issues because of the divorce or seperation of his parents. Maybe there is some other stressful situation going on. I hope the child was not diagnosed in one or two sittings with a doctor or psychiatrist. I have a nephew that was diagnosed ADHD and I urged my sister to get a second and third opinion. Kids should not be given those meds if they do not really need them. And luckily she took my advice. He is not ADHD just stressed.
It is called life people. Not ADHD. Maybe step-mom needs to **** out of the kids life. Having a step-mom would be quite stressful in its self. Not to mention stress of school and life. Have him re-evaluated. And make sure he is not diagnosed right away. It takes quite some time to diagnose this properly.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Yes, ADHD is genetic. For the benefit of your stepson you should talk to his psychologist. If it turns out that he needs to be medicated to help with school, then it would be cruel to not give it to him. Not being able to focus at school can be really difficult. He will start to struggle and become frustrated. His self esteem may start to dwindle because he may do poorly at school, not because he isn’t intelligent, but because his ADHD is preventing him from staying focused long enough to learn. If your husband can’t see this, then you need to confirm it with the psychologist and write out a list of pros and cons.