If your son wasn't having these outbursts before his current medication, it very well could be a side effect of a medication that just isn't right for him. Not all children can tolerate all medications. Reference this wonderful article by Larry Silver, M.D. from ADDitude Magazine, ADHD Medication Strategies: Avoiding Side Effects of ADHD Drugs: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/957.html. Dr. Silver also says that stimulants can bring out mood disorders and symptoms that weren't visible before the medications.

Of course, you should always seek the advice of your prescribing doctor. Hang in there!

Penny W., ADDitudemag.com & ADDConnect.com Community Moderator ADHD Momma to Luke, age 7 {a mom's view of ADHD} @ http://adhdmomma.blogspot.com

Quote

Thanks - you know you always forget the behavior that preceded the current but he definitely had mood issues before, just not sure I'd describe depression as easily as I would now. Also, there's no way to know if this is just the course of his genetic makeup & it would happen no matter what at this stage in his life. It's so inconsistent too - perhaps another case for not being med related?? We had an amazing day on Daytrana yesterday but as soon as I got a little encouraged it had to be that today has not started out well. Patch was put on 1 1/2 hrs ago & seems like it hasn't kicked in whereas yesterday it took 30 min. Ugh.

Quote

As a child I struggled with school. ADHD was know as a child that did not want to behave or follow rules, so I had a lot of whippings and reccess taken away. High School was not much different until I tried to end my life and I was diagnois with ADHD and depression. I finish school on the weekends out of shame. Times are still hard, my husband tries to give me room but fails to understand because he said what can he do to change me. I want to be understood and why some of the things my family don't understand and grind me about might ease up. Last year, I was diagnosis with having Bipolar I (4 medications for it) and with the ADHD. I gone through treatments of ECT's (19 in all) and I'm still feel hopeless. The 25 things about ADHD would be funny if you didn't live it. I was placed on Addrell but was allergy to it so they put me back on Ritilian, which after so many years my body has got use to it.I trying to learn what my options are now, and if there are any. I know just having ADHD is a challege on it's on without mentioning the Bipolar I. Suggestions.

Quote

A year and a half ago my 8-year-old son was diagnosed as gifted with moderate ADHD. Other than that he seemed fine. This January, after trying to treat the ADHD with diet, supplements and cognitive therapy, we started trying medications. He had terrible emotional side-effects to Straterra and Focalin. He had some side effects to Concerta too. Since school started he has experienced some teasing from other boys and has started to feel very stressed about grades, homework, etc. - and to do nervous motions like rub his hands together and on the back of his head. His psychiatrist thinks he is suffering from anxiety, and yesterday wrote a prescription for Welbutrin. Even though he told us it wasn't approved for use in children this age, he said this dosage was safe. When I came home and read about the side effects, I was frightened and sought a second opinion. Also, the side effects also seemed to be irritability and anxiety - which seem to be part of his problem. I phoned the psychologist he is seeing for cognitive therapy and she said she didn't feel this medication was a good choice, and recommended a "dopamine urine test" to determine the best medication for him, possibly Zoloft. Does anyone out there have experience with Welbutrin in children with anxiety/ADHD or this dopamine urine test?

Quote