You will proably need to see a professional who specializes in ADHD and anger management issues versus bipolar issues. Depending how quickly they occur it could be a frustrated ADHD child or the irritability many bi-polar undiagnosed demonstrate . Only a professional could tell the difference. What thing set him off is it simple request like clean your room or is it severed high or lows . If it is the latter it could be Bi-polar. Many of us ADDers can become irritable if we are focused on something and we don't want to be told to stop what we are doing. We also jut don't want to be rode to clean our rooms. If this is the case then it may be the way you answer or ask the question that simply needs to change . Nagging just doesn't work. I can go for weeks and ignore everything my husband says to me just because I didn't like the tone or was engage in something and never heard him in the first place . If he is young the game to do thing will work , if he is older it more tricky ; but the bottom line is he needs to do things fo himself and should not be allowed to terrorize the rest of the family so he can get what he wants. Take away privelges, if he doesn't do what he needs to do ; and of course if he is into drugs etc. Since I 'm not sure of his age do not threatened and never carry through. There is no shame in realizing that there amy something deeper may be going on

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I agree with ADD RN. You should consult a professional who can better determine the cause of the mood swings. Violent mood swings can be also be part of child onset bipolar disorder. How old is your child? Is he acting out of frustration or does he respond violently to being told no? In order to diagnose properly, the professional will need to know what brings on the mood swings.

Anger in response to frustration is more indicative of ADHD and a child who reacts violently whenever he is told no may have bipolar disorder. Obviously, there is more to it than that but a professional will know the questions to ask and review other symptoms and criteria.

If the child is a teenager, borderline personality disorder is another possibility as is the possibility of substance abuse.. You need to know what is causing the behavior so that it can be properly treated. I'm assuming you have tried discipline and it has not helped.

Elaine

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Here are a few articles I found about controlling violent behavior in children with ADHD... Avoiding Childish Outbursts: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/721.html Helping Kids Who Hit: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/763.html When A Child's Behavior Worsens...: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/741.html Making Peace with Your Defiant Child: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/879.html

More about parenting and behavior/discipline: http://www.additudemag.com/topic/parenting-adhd-children/behavior-discipline.html

Hope that helps! - Anni

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I too have a son who has mood swings and a violent temper. Somtimes I feel at a loss. But I have to keep trying to help him. He is on adderall 10mg. and he was on risperdal 5mg but this did'nt help it made him worse. the adderall helps him to focus at school but he has many mood swings I wonder sometimes if he isnt bipolar. I've been trying to figure out what doctor and help I need to get for him. Any ideas? There is adhd in the family line but his father has many depression problems and is on meds. any addivice is welcomed. thanks

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Lonewolfkk,

A child psychiatrist, if you can find one, should be better able to evaluate child onset bipolar disorder. Keep in mind that it is not expressed the same in children as it is in those who develop it as an adult. Not all psychiatrists or doctors are very familiar or experienced with child onset bipolar disorder. I would suggest reading the book, "The Bipolar Child" by Dimitri Papolos.

It can be tricky to diagnose especially since some of the symptoms overlap with ADHD. It has been said that of the children who do have the bipolar disorder, 50 to 90% of them also have ADHD. My nephew was diagnosed with it at the age of 8. Prior to that he had been diagnosed with the ADHD but was still having considerable problems with tantrums and violence. My nephew is 18 now and doing fine.

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My son was diagnosed in April with ADHD. He has been doing a lot better in school. He is taking Strattera because he has tics. I think the strattera is working but sometimes I wonder if it is. He still has major mood swings. He alway's wants to be the boss. If he doesn't get his way he gets very angry. We feel like we have to walk around on egg shells to try to upset him. It is getting so stressful. I have been reading about bipolar lately and I wonder if he also has bipolar???????

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