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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Our son has been been reacting to negativity and positive communication from us usually in the same manner...with anger. We eventually switched him from Seroquel (we suspected BP also) to Buspar...an antianxiety medication. He is doing very well, not perfect but the rate of outbursts and flareups are much less. I think somehow the "cure" sometimes exhaberates the disorder. The stimulant meds for his ADHD help the blood flow to the frontal cortex thus enhancing concentratrion and executive function however it can also cause paradoxically cause more irritibilty. We found that our son's anxiety levels were far too much for him to bear without help. A lot of factors contributed to our decision... delays in emotional maturity, poor emtional control, most challenges you see with ADHD. I feel we have helped him very much when we decided to give him anti anxiety meds. He takes the regular bus, and has been reporting that he actually enjoys his teachers and school (9th grade) Every year at the school start so far was a nightmare for the first semester. He actually gets up on his own and types his homework when he comes home...I didn't tell him to do this I just think sometimes we have to help our kids because they can't supply the understanding to there condition just yet. He still goes to therapy every 2 weeks and to the psychiatrist for medication evauation is constant communication and one visit every 6wks or so.

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Over the years having worked with many children with violent mood swings with various diagnoses, I have discovered that there is some unmet need which needs to be addressed. There can be some chemical imbalance as well. Seeking professional advice will help, but always get more than one opinion before accepting any diagnosis or putting your kid on meds. I have found treating the total person with change of diet as well as a behavior management program works well. In my profile you'll find a link to my blog with some ideas, as well as an email series on addressing behaviors.

All the best to you,

Joseph

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I also have violent mood swings. I started taking fish oil 1000 - 3000 mg per day and it seems to help all around. It could be just that I think it will help so it does. Either way it cant hurt.

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