[arkansas parent]

We took T to the doctor to see if he has ADD/ADHD. She gave us the check list but thinks it might be something else. He has some of the symptoms ,but some of the other things didn't match up. Like he is a little ball of nerves. We have to be careful what movies we rent because anything with action, or drama has him on edge. We rented the kids movie Monsters vs Aleins and he ended up having to sit up against me because the movie was "freaking him out". I think another thing that makes her think he doesn't have ADD is because he is a straight A student and loves to do homework.
The doctor is setting up an appointment for him to see a theripist, because that is the only way to get a physiatrist evaluation him. She wants to make sure he doesn't have a differnt dianoses.(sp)

Now I am freaking out. What else could it be?

The doctor did say she would try him on a low dose of ADD/ADHD meds later to see if it helps.

[lucyjoy]

Post traumatic stress?

Also, my son has some adhd like symptoms that are caused by food sensitivities. Might be worth looking into.

Also, generalized anxiety disorder could be what is being looked at.

You wont know until he gets assessed. Hope it's something easily treatable.

[ajjhmf]

Anxiety and sensory processing disorder look a lot like ADHD. It's good that your doc is looking at other things. The medications used on ADHD are very bad for kids with anxiety issues. I think seeing a therapist and having a psych or neuropsych evan is a good move at this point.

[kretzklan]

Sounds like GAD to me (generalized anxiety disorder). DD has that and it manifests in many of those ways. She gets great grades at school, but sometimes looks ADD because her brain starts going on something she is worrying about and she gets fidgety. She must be worrying about something at all times...and it effects every part of her day.

[mommytoEli]

my 3 year old acts like he has adhd sometimes....but he has sensory integration disorder/sensory processing disorder. google it and read up...see if that makes more sense.

my 3 year old does the same thing with certain movies....it is because of the way they sound. he is incredibly sensitive in the auditory department. at first i thought he was scared, and then i realized he was covering his one ear and burying the other into my body. i asked him about it and he said the movie hurt his ears.

[arkansas parent]

Movies like the one I refered to are hard on him because of the suspence. He also cries very easly while watching movies. Even when it is not all that sad.
When he is nervous he gets very quite and kinda zones out. I usaually talk to him and tell him everything is going to be o.k.
Does frustration/anger go along with any of yours suggestion? Like today the doctor had him place his hands on his lap and flip/flop them as fast as he could. Well the faster he went the wilder and more frustrated he got. If he can't do something perfect (or close to perfect) the first try or two he else cries, gets mad or both.
I was leaning toward ADD/ADHD because I have to tell him several times a day to watch out, calm down, be careful,and pay attention. If I don't he will hurt himself, the baby,or break stuff.
His teacher told me today that her biggest problem with him that is ALWAYS tries to argue.
When he starts aruging with us we either tell him to stop or say we are not going to argue with him. Which usually makes him cry or get angry.
His doctor said that physiatrist often over medicate kids. I don't want him to be some kind of spaced out zombie. I want him to still be silly, outgoing, active ,and to be.. well Trey .
He has improved a ton since being here. I want to do what is best for him. I can't help but wonder if he just needs more time to heal from his past. But I dont' want to put off something that needs to be addressed now.

Can you tell I a worry A LOT too. Maybe he gets it from me

[arkansas parent]

I just read something that makes me think he has ADHD even more. It said kids with ADHD argue a lot. Could he have an anxiety problem and ADHD? If so how would they go about treating him?

[Lorraine123]

PTSD is the first thing that popped into my head.

[Perfect7]

I was going to also throw out bipolar disorder, but not sure how old he was. My dd presented as a very demanding and difficult child when younger, night terrors, horrible for babysitters, cried easily, angered even easier with long rage sessions, and very distracted like ADHD. When placed on ADHD meds she went balistic, like throwing gas on a small flame. If her medication isn't right she again shows strong ADHD traits (stares off, wont do homework, etc). She also cries easily during movies and is terrified by any action movies, especially with loud noises. She runs to me and curls up in my lap while whining during these loud scenes. So many disorders overlap with symptoms, so it took us about two years to get a diagnosis. Even then, docs don't want to label them young. History is important. My biological father (and his father) were alcoholics and my mother fought depression off and on. Those are big flags for bipolar.

[kretzklan]

Ahh...the arguing. Goes with GAD - but Perfect brings up a good point...all docs think my DD has bi-polar, but they don't want to dx it yet because she's too young. However, the anxiety meds seem to cause mania...which would also point to bi-polar. I'm going to push for them to go more in that direction next visit.

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by arkansas parent

I just read something that makes me think he has ADHD even more. It said kids with ADHD argue a lot. Could he have an anxiety problem and ADHD? If so how would they go about treating him?

my adhd kid doesn't argue as much as he "negotiatiates." lol. but of course...i think you can have anxiety and anything else. i have a kid with rad, ptsd, and anxiety. fun and a kid with sensory and anxiety issues.

Does frustration/anger go along with any of yours suggestion

my sensory kid is easily frustrated and gets VERY angry. he does also have anxiety and will actually verbalize when he feels anxious. he is (can't decide whether to use "sometimes" or "usually" here....maybe somewhere in the middle. lol ) calmed with sensory techniques we learned- brushing, wearing a special vest, using a teether that vibrates, if i'm in a pinch i lightly scratch his arms or head.

he does not like to even attempt things he does not think he can do. he argues ALL the time. i didn't know little kids could be so good at it. if i tell him no, don't give him what he wants, argue back, tell him i won't argue he doesn't tantrum....he screeches at the top of his lungs. it has got to be the most annoying sound i've ever heard. eli does "zone" out...and sometimes it is like he isn't even on this planet. if something is too loud or annoying he hides or curls up in a ball and seeks sensory input- will rub his hands on carpet, scratch himself, etc.

he breaks things and takes things apart, on purpose, isn't careful- walks into walls, toes walks- so he falls down all the time when he isn't running into things.

he is not only argumentative, but stubborn. the other day i told him i would not teach him how to subtract yet (he's THREE), and he went into full meltdown. lol. he is ADAMANT that i will teach him how to subtract next week. really?

well....it looks like you have quite a few things to look up. enjoy your research and i hope you find something that points you in the right direction.

[arkansas parent]

Originally Posted by mommytoEli

my adhd kid doesn't argue as much as he "negotiatiates." lol. but of course...i think you can have anxiety and anything else. i have a kid with rad, ptsd, and anxiety. fun and a kid with sensory and anxiety issues.

my sensory kid is easily frustrated and gets VERY angry. he does also have anxiety and will actually verbalize when he feels anxious. he is (can't decide whether to use "sometimes" or "usually" here....maybe somewhere in the middle. lol ) calmed with sensory techniques we learned- brushing, wearing a special vest, using a teether that vibrates, if i'm in a pinch i lightly scratch his arms or head.

he does not like to even attempt things he does not think he can do. he argues ALL the time. i didn't know little kids could be so good at it. if i tell him no, don't give him what he wants, argue back, tell him i won't argue he doesn't tantrum....he screeches at the top of his lungs. it has got to be the most annoying sound i've ever heard. eli does "zone" out...and sometimes it is like he isn't even on this planet. if something is too loud or annoying he hides or curls up in a ball and seeks sensory input- will rub his hands on carpet, scratch himself, etc.

he breaks things and takes things apart, on purpose, isn't careful- walks into walls, toes walks- so he falls down all the time when he isn't running into things.

he is not only argumentative, but stubborn. the other day i told him i would not teach him how to subtract yet (he's THREE), and he went into full meltdown. lol. he is ADAMANT that i will teach him how to subtract next week. really?

well....it looks like you have quite a few things to look up. enjoy your research and i hope you find something that points you in the right direction.

Your son sounds alot like T. I never thought of sensory issues. I will be sure to check into it. Is your son also forgetful?

Perfect7- bi-polar has crossed my mind.

He was dianoised (sp) with disruptive behaivor disorder ,NOS and adjustment disorder when he was 2.5yr. Does that help anyone make a guess to what is going on?

[shy_bear]

I have an ADHD child; not really sure what the comment about being a good student and enjoying homework has to do with a diagnosis. My daughter excels in math; works above grade level. She does her homework for the most part without any problems unless she is ready to go out and play!! I don't think ADHD has anything to do with intelligence, just my opinion.
It sounds like he has anxiety. I suffer from anxiety and I can't watch certain shows or go certain places b/c it makes me feel anxious. IF this doc is unsure get a second opinion!! If you live by a children's hospital that is where I suggest you go; our daughter was screened by a therapist at the child development unit in our local children's hospital. We were VERY impressed. They took their time in giving a diagnosis and did not push meds on us. Good luck!!

[mommytoEli]

no. eli is anti-forgetful. lol. he hears or sees things ONCE and it is embedded in his brain. bc of this, he taught himself to read, he is adding, he recites lines from movies he has seen once. it is ridiculous.

now...... he IS easily sidetracked. so if i say go wash your hands, he will probably stop along the way "forget" he needs to wash his hands and sit down and play. lol. but when i find him if i ask him what he was supposed to do, he can tell me what i said, and then follow through.

[arkansas parent]

Originally Posted by shy_bear

I have an ADHD child; not really sure what the comment about being a good student and enjoying homework has to do with a diagnosis. My daughter excels in math; works above grade level. She does her homework for the most part without any problems unless she is ready to go out and play!! I don't think ADHD has anything to do with intelligence, just my opinion.

I may have been wrong about this. I just figured since the doctor seemed surprised that he finishes his work and does it well ,it didn't fit.
He is also advanced in math (over a grade level) and above average in reading.