ADHD & anxiety - what has worked for stopping physical and verbal aggression?

[Anonymous]

DC is 6 and has ADHD combined and anxiety. Takes Intuniv (tried Focalin which helped with impulsivity, but had major sleep and irritability/aggression issues and would act out of control/hyper on the evenings).
Often yells "shut up" at us when overwhelmed or even when situation doesn't call for it. Often responds to siblings or us with name calling, even in situations that shouldn't provoke a response.
When frustrated, will sometimes hit or kick us. Often screams (ear-piercing) in response to frustration.

We try to stay calm, remove DC from situation to a quiet place. Cannot talk to DC while it is occurring obviously, but when we try to address later - whether it's a few hours or even a day or 2 after, DC gets very upset and doesn't want to talk about it. Trying to force the conversation results in more ear-piercing screams, yelling at us to shut up, etc.

What has worked for you to stop the physical responses? the verbal responses?

[Anonymous]

For our DS, it was taking the other approach. We treat the anxiety with medicine and there has been a huge reduction in that kind of behavior. He is 8 so at this point his teachers do their best to take care of his adhd challenges, which are a lot better than his anxiety issues that we used to deal with.

[Anonymous]

You may want to look into anti-anxiety drugs (SSRIs like Zoloft or Prozac). I have a new child on Prozac. Wish I could say it wiped all the adhd symptoms away, but the anxiety is much improved, and some of the impulsivity and negative behavior.

[Anonymous]

Intuniv was a disaster for our ADHD kid with anxiety. It made him like an angry drunk. Now, I would say the great majority of parents with kids on Intuniv in an ODD parent support forum I'm on say it helps, but there was a small subset like mine: it increased anger and aggression. Unfortunately, the SSRI (Lexapro) my child's psychiatrist tried next to address anxiety backfired pretty horribly, too. My child is doing better on Strattera, but I think it has really only got him back to square one. One tip I've used successfully is to focus on the child who is the object of the aggression or verbal abuse, not the offender. It focuses your energy away from the ADHD child, depriving him of negative attention, while helping comfort the victim.

Anonymous wrote:You may want to look into anti-anxiety drugs (SSRIs like Zoloft or Prozac). I have a new child on Prozac. Wish I could say it wiped all the adhd symptoms away, but the anxiety is much improved, and some of the impulsivity and negative behavior.

[Anonymous]

We followed therapist's advice and put as much energy as possible into lowering anxiety through play therapy, routine, minimizing activities, lots of structure at home, finding success in favorite extracurricular, and, in the worst period, ssri. Child is older now (11) and has really matured and we basically see none of that earlier behavior, which was very clearly rooted in anxiety. Still doesn't enjoy discussing difficult things but can do it now, very articulately in fact.

[Anonymous]

You might want to address anxiety first with Zoloft and such. Then gradually add a stimulant, starting with 10 mg.

[Anonymous]

Behavioral therapy--this will help with your reactions to not amp up situations as well.

[Anonymous]

A tiny dose of ssri helped us with emotional reactivity. Too high of a dose caused unacceptable impulsivity, but a small dose was enough to make dc receptive to the behavior modification tools.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like my 7 year old DD. She only behaves this way at home/with us. She is fine at school and activities not involving us.

Wondering if she has ADHD and anxiety. I think she has anxiety because she bites her nails.

[Anonymous]

why all this medication? why aren't root problems explored/identified first?

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you to all the posters for sharing your experiences. Some helpful things here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why all this medication? why aren't root problems explored/identified first?

Would prefer this thread not turn into a medicate vs non-medicate debate.
Sometimes meds help get a kid to the point where they are receptive to therapy or even able to benefit from therapy.
Some try therapy first.
You may want to start a separate thread to have people opine on this so that this thread doesn't go off track. Thanks.