ADD/ADHD

Well, we finally had 4 hours of testing and 3 hours of the psychologist's time for our DS, almost 16.  For 3 years, his grades and motiviation have been declining.  His back is up against the wall, as he's a sophomore and his grades are atrocious, and he doesn't even seem to care or put in effort.

His IQ is in the normal range, at the higher end.  No learning disabilities.  He doesn't have enought symptoms of ADD to give the classic diagnosis, but he has some.  And those "some" are enought to make his life and our life extremely stressful right now.

We're going to the doc today to start him on medication, combined with study skills tutor at the facility.  At first they just said study skills, but after 3 years of working with him, making him do things, we just don't think that will work.  He knows what to do, he just can't seem to do it.

So, is there anyone out there with the ADD-NOS, and that have started meds?  How did it work?

Thanks , conmama

HI, and welcome

It is good that you got a diagnosis. ADHD is sometimes overlooked in kids, especially milder forms or ADHD /innatttentive( there really is no ADD).

NOS is a Cognitive Disorder, Not other wise specified, meaning, any number of things, but nothing specific.  http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/nos_personality

onestly, I would say treat the ADHD first, and if meds are called for then try them. I do not know of, and have never heard of meds for NOS.

 Thanks.  I was getting ready to clarify that there actually IS ADHD-NOS and what it means, but you did it for me!  We went to the psychiatrist intake meeting for him to prescribe his meds.  We thought it best to go to the docs there, instead of his family doc, as they did the evaluations, the psychologists are there, etc.  He was prescribed 30mg of Vyvanse to start to see how it works.

I have to say, I cried last night in bed.  I never thought we'd be going down this path with our son.  What scares me is the minor chance of heart attacks, etc. on these drugs.  I keep telling myself that for 3 years we've done everything we can think of with his grades and motivation to no effect whatsoever.  His self-esteem is plummetting as he's always considered himself one of the smartest and now he's not (grade wise).  His back is up against the wall as far as getting into college with his current GPA his life is on a train wreck unless we get him some help.  But it still hurts me inside, to have to do this.  I'm sure if/when we see positive results I'll feel better.  I'll keep everyone posted as to our experience.

conmama

I know that it's scary. I think that it helps to think in terms of the fact that ADHD is a medical disorder just like any others that is treated with medication. The only difference is that the symptoms are behavioral in nature. Unfortunately, psychiatric diagnoses have a stigma attached to them in our society.

I thoroughly researched the risks associated with stimulant medications and discussed them with the physician. The risks, I found, are extremely minimal. The risks of not medicating, in my estimation, are much worse. The doctor said that teens with ADHD are more likely to do poorly in school, get into car accidents, and other undesirables such as teen pregnancy.

I can say that our experience has been life-changing. I am very happy with our decision to medicate and it has made my son's and my family's quality of life much better.