Has anyone solved the escalating meltdown problem (teen AudHD)? Need hope/advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really think you need to consider meds again before she turns 18. How has her psychiatrist not considered a mood stabilizer?

We tried Abilify a couple of years ago when this was happening more frequently, and she woke up at 2am every single night unable to fall back asleep. We considered Lamictal but the potential fatal rash was something I’m not willing to risk — she isn’t all that body aware so I was afraid we’d miss it. Other mood stabilizers have not been considered because this behavior comes and goes and seems to be a more learned/reinforced behavior that one attributable to a mood disorder.

Abilify is the worst one to start

These are not learned/reinforced. She has a lot of sensory/mind stimulation she can't control. Sounds like a ton of anxiety mixed with ADHD and not have the coping mechanisms to work thru it. Just letting it go without trying a calming medication is kinda crazy. Her mind is probably spinning all the time and trying to control the outbursts more as she gets older but it's debilitating. She needs help

You need to give back your degree if you determined this without testing or treating her. You’re making huge assumptions and it’s unethical for a professional, which I doubt you are.

Girl, no one including the pp, has claimed to be a professional This forum and this thread particularly are for people to talk about what has worked or has not worked for their teens in similar positions.

Get a grip. And honestly this advice is really good. It is well known that stimulants alone for an auADHD teen can be tough. And it sounds like summer before senior year is a great time to tinker with some new meds.

And another poster mentioned Clonidine. This was by far the biggest help for my teen who is very similar to OP’s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really think you need to consider meds again before she turns 18. How has her psychiatrist not considered a mood stabilizer?

We tried Abilify a couple of years ago when this was happening more frequently, and she woke up at 2am every single night unable to fall back asleep. We considered Lamictal but the potential fatal rash was something I’m not willing to risk — she isn’t all that body aware so I was afraid we’d miss it. Other mood stabilizers have not been considered because this behavior comes and goes and seems to be a more learned/reinforced behavior that one attributable to a mood disorder.

Abilify is the worst one to start

These are not learned/reinforced. She has a lot of sensory/mind stimulation she can't control. Sounds like a ton of anxiety mixed with ADHD and not have the coping mechanisms to work thru it. Just letting it go without trying a calming medication is kinda crazy. Her mind is probably spinning all the time and trying to control the outbursts more as she gets older but it's debilitating. She needs help

You need to give back your degree if you determined this without testing or treating her. You’re making huge assumptions and it’s unethical for a professional, which I doubt you are.

Girl, no one including the pp, has claimed to be a professional This forum and this thread particularly are for people to talk about what has worked or has not worked for their teens in similar positions.

Get a grip. And honestly this advice is really good. It is well known that stimulants alone for an auADHD teen can be tough. And it sounds like summer before senior year is a great time to tinker with some new meds.

And another poster mentioned Clonidine. This was by far the biggest help for my teen who is very similar to OP’s.

+1 My daughter is 13 and Clonidine has been a lifesaver.

[Anonymous]

She isn’t going to outgrow this OP. Get more help and try some meds TJ make her more comfortable