Therapist needed for mother of ADHD child

[Anonymous]

Another therapist recommendation in Bethesda is Judith Wides. Her email is [e-mail]. She is very warm and supportive and uses a variety of therapeutic approaches. Definitely give her a call.

[Anonymous]

OP: Thank you for all of these wonderful recommendations!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OP: It sounds like the meds have really worked well for your DS and family. If you don't mind me asking, how did you overcome the concern of risks around schedule 2 drugs, addiction issues, and medical links of stimulants to bipolar depression, anxiety, and hippocampus deterioration (alzheimers)? My DH is in the medical field and also has great concerns over introducting a stimulant to a developing mind and the long-term effects which are largely still unknown. If meds were to produce the effects that it sounds like you've had for our son I must say I would adocate for it still. You just have to be comfortable (or at least willing) to take the risk.

Yes, it is a risk. I'm not sure what you're asking about schedule II drugs? I believe my DS's doc told me that kids with ADHD who are treated with the appropriate meds are less likely to self medicate with other drugs. Addiction to stimulants? It is out there, but DS has been off the meds periods of weeks at a time with no withdrawal symptoms, so if that is what you're asking, it hasn't shown up here. DS was on Concerta which worked well for concentration and made his anxiety about 100X worse, so we tried another med. I feel pretty confident that he is under the care of a psychiatrist right now (he also does therapy with DS. A rarity, I know) who is not going to let bipolar symptoms slip by. Hippocampus deterioration? I have to say I don't know anything about the correlation between stimulants and alzheimers, but I'll like to know more about it.

Also, my BIL is a pediatrician at that big university in Palo Alto, so we had access to developmental pediatricians and psychiatrists there in addition to the people we consulted here. Hearing from a lot of experts made the idea of meds seem easier.

Every drug is a risk. And you always hope the benefits outweigh the risks. So far the benefits have far outweighed the risks. DS is a smart, sensitive kid and it was very troubling for him not to be able to do schoolwork like the other kids. He goes to an independent school and they have been great about accommodations (uses a laptop, extra time for testing, nothing major). The willingness of the school to work with him and small classes have played a huge part in his success. We have always talked openly with DS about his focus issues. We've always made sure he had physical outlets -- he did tae kwon do and now he is on the track team and the cross country team.

Starting meds seemed like stepping off a cliff, but once we did, it worked so much better for him. Meds aren't for everyone and I have days where I feel guilty that I have to give him meds and can't make it better on my own. He is my primary concern. Things in our house have gotten much better since he started meds which has been wonderful, but we didn't medicate him because it would make it easier for us.

You might want to look at Judy Warner's book "We've Got Issues." She started with the idea that kids are over medicated in this country (and I know there are lots of kids like that), but she reached a very different conclusion about meds by the end of the book.

I wish I knew of a therapist to help you. My own therapist was very helpful when we were discussing meds for DS. I know she regularly consults with Children's on a number of child life issues. ADHD is difficult for both the child and for the family.

I wish you luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OP: It sounds like the meds have really worked well for your DS and family. If you don't mind me asking, how did you overcome the concern of risks around schedule 2 drugs, addiction issues, and medical links of stimulants to bipolar depression, anxiety, and hippocampus deterioration (alzheimers)? My DH is in the medical field and also has great concerns over introducting a stimulant to a developing mind and the long-term effects which are largely still unknown. If meds were to produce the effects that it sounds like you've had for our son I must say I would adocate for it still. You just have to be comfortable (or at least willing) to take the risk.

Yes, it is a risk. I'm not sure what you're asking about schedule II drugs? I believe my DS's doc told me that kids with ADHD who are treated with the appropriate meds are less likely to self medicate with other drugs. Addiction to stimulants? It is out there, but DS has been off the meds periods of weeks at a time with no withdrawal symptoms, so if that is what you're asking, it hasn't shown up here. DS was on Concerta which worked well for concentration and made his anxiety about 100X worse, so we tried another med. I feel pretty confident that he is under the care of a psychiatrist right now (he also does therapy with DS. A rarity, I know) who is not going to let bipolar symptoms slip by. Hippocampus deterioration? I have to say I don't know anything about the correlation between stimulants and alzheimers, but I'll like to know more about it.

Also, my BIL is a pediatrician at that big university in Palo Alto, so we had access to developmental pediatricians and psychiatrists there in addition to the people we consulted here. Hearing from a lot of experts made the idea of meds seem easier.

Every drug is a risk. And you always hope the benefits outweigh the risks. So far the benefits have far outweighed the risks. DS is a smart, sensitive kid and it was very troubling for him not to be able to do schoolwork like the other kids. He goes to an independent school and they have been great about accommodations (uses a laptop, extra time for testing, nothing major). The willingness of the school to work with him and small classes have played a huge part in his success. We have always talked openly with DS about his focus issues. We've always made sure he had physical outlets -- he did tae kwon do and now he is on the track team and the cross country team.

Starting meds seemed like stepping off a cliff, but once we did, it worked so much better for him. Meds aren't for everyone and I have days where I feel guilty that I have to give him meds and can't make it better on my own. He is my primary concern. Things in our house have gotten much better since he started meds which has been wonderful, but we didn't medicate him because it would make it easier for us.

You might want to look at Judy Warner's book "We've Got Issues." She started with the idea that kids are over medicated in this country (and I know there are lots of kids like that), but she reached a very different conclusion about meds by the end of the book.

I wish I knew of a therapist to help you. My own therapist was very helpful when we were discussing meds for DS. I know she regularly consults with Children's on a number of child life issues. ADHD is difficult for both the child and for the family.

I wish you luck.

Thank you for those thoughts and sharing your experience. Our sons sound a lot alike in terms of intellect and sensitivity. We are just getting started with all of this in terms of the meds (do not even technically have a diagnosis yet) but it really makes me think you have to consider all the arguments both for and against. It's easy to make an argument either way but harder to incorporate both (for us anyway). I will check out Judy Warner's book.

Schedule 2 just refers to those controlled substances in the US (e.g, codeine, morphine, opium, etc.). Ritalin and Concerta are on the list as well. They have a higher potential for abuse and may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. This goes in the "argument against" category, but again, it is just one piece of the puzzle.

Here is an article referencing effects to hippocampus as well as other effects of the drug. I could not read the whole thing as was making me too anxious.

http://www.drmueller-healthpsychology.com/Info_ADHDMedicationConcerns.html

Good luck to you and your family.

[Anonymous]

Both my kids are on meds and it allows them to be the children they want to be. They are much, much happier and it appears absolutely safe. No side effects (though there is some hit and miss in the beginning to get the right drug/dose.)

OP, for you it isn't a matter of if you start meds but a matter of when. You are in an untenable situation. Drugs have side effects (though I don't recognize your parade of horribles in the list you wrote) but the effect of not taking the drugs, in your case, is very serious. Your DS can't get these years back.

Studies show that kids with ADHD that is not medicated are more likely to have substance abuse problems because they self-medicate.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend therapists in NOVA, particularly Falls Church/McLean area? I am also a mom of an ADHD DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both my kids are on meds and it allows them to be the children they want to be. They are much, much happier and it appears absolutely safe. No side effects (though there is some hit and miss in the beginning to get the right drug/dose.)

OP, for you it isn't a matter of if you start meds but a matter of when. You are in an untenable situation. Drugs have side effects (though I don't recognize your parade of horribles in the list you wrote) but the effect of not taking the drugs, in your case, is very serious. Your DS can't get these years back.

Studies show that kids with ADHD that is not medicated are more likely to have substance abuse problems because they self-medicate.

I see this posted frequently but it isn't the case. Yes, people with an ADHD diagnosis tend to have higher rates of substance abuse issues. However, there is no solid evidence that taking or not taking ADHD medications will either prevent or cause later substance abuse. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether or not to medicate but believing that giving a child ADHD medication will prevent later substance abuse problems shouldn't be one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend therapists in NOVA, particularly Falls Church/McLean area? I am also a mom of an ADHD DC.

You could try calling the Vienna Women's Center to get started. My SIL had great luck with finding a therapist there.

www.thewomenscenter.org

[Anonymous]

Dr Dan Shapiro is about to start a parenting class for parents of kids with disabilities. I'm gonna take it. Haven't met him but heard good things.

[Anonymous]

Check out raising your challenging child by Dr. Shapiro.

The upcoming sessions start Wed Jan 16th. Its every wednesday. It has helped me SO SO much!

I already attended a 10-week session of it before. I'm going again b/c he it is that good.

Hugs mom.

http://www.raisingyourchallengingchild.com/

[Anonymous]

There's a great practice in Falls Church that does a lot of work with parents of special needs or challenging kids, but the not kids themselves.

http://www.northernvirginiacounseling.com Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Dr Matt Fleming- DuPont circle