strategies for emotional outbursts

[Anonymous]

DS is 9 yo, on adderral doing well with controlling hyperactivity but emotional outbursts are frequent. Meds have not made a difference at all, any small setback results in crying. He is in indiivdual therapy and social skills, I am not seeing any improvement. He will cry in class over crumbled paper, or running out of time to complete a project. Has a very low frustration threshold. Therapist is suggesting that this is due to immaturity and that he will grow out of it. The problem is that we are going on year 2 in school where he consistently cries many times per week in class. His teachers want to implement a behavioral chart for crying. I dont know if that is productive. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

We found that adding an antidepressant made a big difference. It didn't end the emotional outbursts completely, but reduced it from 1 or more a day to 1 every few weeks.

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem. And I would LOVE for someone to share something that worked for their sensitive, emotional child who cries for E-VE-RY-THING.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP that an SSRI made a big difference for my DS. It helped significantly with his inability to regulate his emotions - which is a hallmark of ADHD.

[Anonymous]

I started reading The Explosive Child recently. I would bet you that a behavior chart won't work for your kid because for many kids, reward charts and punishments like this (strikes, time out, etc.) don't work. The book discusses how kids don't WANT to be bad, but some kids have "lagging skills" that prevent them from behaving/responding appropriately. There might be some good strategies there for you, but the issue is getting the teachers on board with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is 9 yo, on adderral doing well with controlling hyperactivity but emotional outbursts are frequent. Meds have not made a difference at all, any small setback results in crying. He is in indiivdual therapy and social skills, I am not seeing any improvement. He will cry in class over crumbled paper, or running out of time to complete a project. Has a very low frustration threshold. Therapist is suggesting that this is due to immaturity and that he will grow out of it. The problem is that we are going on year 2 in school where he consistently cries many times per week in class. His teachers want to implement a behavioral chart for crying. I dont know if that is productive. Any suggestions?

No at 9 probably won't get over it. Don't punish a kid for crying. Get a new therapist.

Try an antidepressant instead.

Also these things take time. Keep track of things by writing them down. Try behavioral therapy. Read the Kazdin method.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is 9 yo, on adderral doing well with controlling hyperactivity but emotional outbursts are frequent. Meds have not made a difference at all, any small setback results in crying. He is in indiivdual therapy and social skills, I am not seeing any improvement. He will cry in class over crumbled paper, or running out of time to complete a project. Has a very low frustration threshold. Therapist is suggesting that this is due to immaturity and that he will grow out of it. The problem is that we are going on year 2 in school where he consistently cries many times per week in class. His teachers want to implement a behavioral chart for crying. I dont know if that is productive. Any suggestions?

No at 9 probably won't get over it. Don't punish a kid for crying. Get a new therapist.

Try an antidepressant instead.

Also these things take time. Keep track of things by writing them down. Try behavioral therapy. Read the Kazdin method.

Grow out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is 9 yo, on adderral doing well with controlling hyperactivity but emotional outbursts are frequent. Meds have not made a difference at all, any small setback results in crying. He is in indiivdual therapy and social skills, I am not seeing any improvement. He will cry in class over crumbled paper, or running out of time to complete a project. Has a very low frustration threshold. Therapist is suggesting that this is due to immaturity and that he will grow out of it. The problem is that we are going on year 2 in school where he consistently cries many times per week in class. His teachers want to implement a behavioral chart for crying. I dont know if that is productive. Any suggestions?

No at 9 probably won't get over it. Don't punish a kid for crying. Get a new therapist.

Try an antidepressant instead.

Also these things take time. Keep track of things by writing them down. Try behavioral therapy. Read the Kazdin method.

Grow out of it.

If the kid has anxiety or depression in addition to ADHD, he may grow out of crying, but at that point is at risk for much worse things.

[Anonymous]

Maybe he needs a different stimulant, the adderal could be causing the emotionality. I would try vyvanse.

[Anonymous]

How is his sleep? Sometimes kids more sleep than they are getting and it causes them to lose their #)(Q$* more often than they might otherwise.

[Anonymous]

OP here, we considered anxiety and depression with his psychiatrist and therapist, neither one is seeing one. His sleep is ok I guess, he is on melatonin every night.

[Anonymous]

Take the Unstuck and on Target class at the Ivymoint School.

[Anonymous]

^Ivymount

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry that you are having difficulty with your son's emotional outbursts and crying. The wonderful thing is that you are already providing a great deal of support, such as individual therapy and social skills training. Adding a direct behavioral component may not be a bad idea. Why not try the behavioral chart for crying and see what happens?