ADDitude § Teenage son diagnosed or misdiagnosed with ADD

Public Forums > New to ADHD > My Child's Been Diagnosed and I've Got Questions

Teenage son diagnosed or misdiagnosed with ADD

Post Reply

Thread : Teenage son diagnosed or misdiagnosed with ADD
1 Apr 2008 @ 2:09 PM
robsmommy	Join Date: Tue 1st Apr 2008 Threads: 1 Posts: 0
Teenage son diagnosed or misdiagnosed with ADD My 16 year old son has always had some difficulty in school with completing work/tasks. It's started to really the past few years with middle and high schools, and being to complete tasks more independently. He had an appointment with a psychiatrist this morning and within 15 minutes(or less) was diagnosed with ADD and given a prescription for Concerta. I am concerned because of how quickly this doctor,who never met my son before, diagnosed him. My son has low self esteem due to past abuse by his father(who is no longer part of his life). I tried to fill the prescription, but it's not covered by my health insurance. So I called the doctor's office and am waiting to be called back. Perhaps this is a sign? I am uncomfortable with this doctor, who is in his late 50's to early 60's. What do you think? What else should he have done before diagnosing my son? Would I be better off taking my son to his regular pediatrician? We relocated here about 1 1/2 years ago, so we don't have a very long history with him. Please advise. This is a difficult time for us. Thanks! Quote

Thread : Teenage son diagnosed or misdiagnosed with ADD

1 Apr 2008 @ 2:09 PM

robsmommy

Join Date: Tue 1st Apr 2008
Threads: 1 Posts: 0

Teenage son diagnosed or misdiagnosed with ADD

My 16 year old son has always had some difficulty in school with completing work/tasks. It's started to really the past few years with middle and high schools, and being to complete tasks more independently. He had an appointment with a psychiatrist this morning and within 15 minutes(or less) was diagnosed with ADD and given a prescription for Concerta. I am concerned because of how quickly this doctor,who never met my son before, diagnosed him. My son has low self esteem due to past abuse by his father(who is no longer part of his life). I tried to fill the prescription, but it's not covered by my health insurance. So I called the doctor's office and am waiting to be called back. Perhaps this is a sign? I am uncomfortable with this doctor, who is in his late 50's to early 60's. What do you think? What else should he have done before diagnosing my son? Would I be better off taking my son to his regular pediatrician? We relocated here about 1 1/2 years ago, so we don't have a very long history with him. Please advise. This is a difficult time for us. Thanks!

Quote

4 Apr 2008 @ 3:18 PM Reply # 1
Elaine20	Join Date: Sat 10th Nov 2007 Threads: 3 Posts: 150
Teenage son's diagnosis I understand your frustration. Even if the doctor is extremely good at recognizing and diagnosing ADHD, he owes it to you and your son to explain the symptoms your son has that led him to that conclusion and ask you for specific examples to document each symptom that you or your son may have responded to with a yes. You are welcome to get a second opinion from your pediatrician as long as he is comfortable making an ADHD diagnosis. When children are younger, teachers are usually required to fill out forms to help the doctor determine if your son meets the criteria. However, once a student reaches middle and high school, there are so many teachers who have a greater number of students, that they are not in a position to notice what an elementary school teacher would see on a frequent basis. You may also want to go to your library or book store and get some books on ADHD and educate yourself on the disorder. This may help to give you a better idea if your son fits the criteria. If you return to this psychiatrist, I would ask him to explain and justify his diagnosis to you. He may be correct but he needs to document it well and explain it to you. I hope this was of some help to you. If your son does indeed have ADHD, treatment will help him tremendously. My 16 year old son (diagnosed at 10) and my adult daughter (now 26, but not diagnosed until age 20, shortly after my son) both have ADHD, the inattentive type (without the hyperactivity). My husband has ADHD, with hyperactivity. Good luck, Elaine Quote

4 Apr 2008 @ 3:18 PM Reply # 1

Elaine20

Join Date: Sat 10th Nov 2007
Threads: 3 Posts: 150

Teenage son's diagnosis

I understand your frustration. Even if the doctor is extremely good at recognizing and diagnosing ADHD, he owes it to you and your son to explain the symptoms your son has that led him to that conclusion and ask you for specific examples to document each symptom that you or your son may have responded to with a yes. You are welcome to get a second opinion from your pediatrician as long as he is comfortable making an ADHD diagnosis. When children are younger, teachers are usually required to fill out forms to help the doctor determine if your son meets the criteria. However, once a student reaches middle and high school, there are so many teachers who have a greater number of students, that they are not in a position to notice what an elementary school teacher would see on a frequent basis.

You may also want to go to your library or book store and get some books on ADHD and educate yourself on the disorder. This may help to give you a better idea if your son fits the criteria. If you return to this psychiatrist, I would ask him to explain and justify his diagnosis to you. He may be correct but he needs to document it well and explain it to you.

I hope this was of some help to you. If your son does indeed have ADHD, treatment will help him tremendously. My 16 year old son (diagnosed at 10) and my adult daughter (now 26, but not diagnosed until age 20, shortly after my son) both have ADHD, the inattentive type (without the hyperactivity). My husband has ADHD, with hyperactivity.

Good luck, Elaine

Quote

Post Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Local Time : 9 Jul 2008 5:15 AM
(Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:15:43 GMT)

Copyright © 1998 - 2007 New Hope Media LLC. All rights reserved. Your use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
ADDitude does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this web site is provided for educational purposes only. See additional information.
New Hope Media, 39 W. 37th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10018