I have a 16 year old daughter that had been diagnosed with ADHD and a mood disorder and has been on meds for about 7 years now. Her moods and behaviors stem through home life . She had a total meltdown at a church icecream social because she was not allowed a 2nd bowl ! How can I tell if she has ODD ?
Thanks for the info ! She already has a mental health specialist but never mentioned anything about ODD ! I will definately ask her about this.Her behaviors are out of control and need to be addressed. Thanks again !
J.- I have ADD and I have to tell you that once at age 16 I got bitten by a spider and promptly threw a giant meltdown fit and declared I was NEVER wearing clothes again. Meltdowns can be part of normal ADD/ADHD behavior but by all means check with your doctor:) Hang in there ok:)
First off, you can't so don't try! If she is having break through behaviors (sounds like one incidence of impulse verses poor frustration tolerance meets "no") then make an appointment with her psychiatrist and have them evaluate her status. It is common for adolesents with ADHD and a mood disorder to have new medication needs during this time, they are changing fast, and will need very close medical support and supervision. If your psychiatrist is not able to see her as often, or as quickly as she needs, have a discussion with them about her need to see them quickly, and if they cannot accomodate that, find one who can. It is VERY common for there to be vast changes in needs at this age, so instead of looking for a new diagnosis, look to the one that she has, it can totally explain this behavior, and needs more attention from her psychatrist.
Good luck to you, I feel your pain.
M.
Have her evaluated by a professional! Your pediatrician or PCP can refer you.
Meltdowns, and what else you described, are a completely normal part of adhd. ADHD is soooooo much more than distractabilty. In fact, it's maybe 1/10th of the disorder. At most. In fact, 1 will get you 50 that the mood disorder is a misdiagnosis. Mood swings, and eidetic memory for sensation (including emotion), and the fact that feelings don't decrease for adhd types (embarrassment is just as strong an hour or a day later as the moment it hits... as is fear, happiness, etc.)... are all part and parcel with adhd.
I highly recommend reading
"You mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid, or Crazy?!?" by kate Kelly & Peggy Ramundo http://www.amazon.com/You-Mean-Lazy-Stupid-Crazy/dp/07432...
and the website
My daughter (9) has been diagnosed ADHD and ODD (the ODD dx was first) and unfortunately there is NOTHING that can be done to correct that. The psychologist just told me to "pick my battles". That was not good news for me! :) She was diagnosed ADHD/ODD about a year after that. The medication helps for the ADHD part but not the ODD.
The school psychologist can administer a test. The ODD child will oppose authority even when it is clearly against his/her own best interest. However, there is no magic pill for people diagnosed with ODD. It's all about behavioral intervention, a long, tough road you'll need to travel whether or not ODD is at the root of your daughter's problems.
