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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Richdawn on June 12, 2005, at 16:54:23
Hi to you all. I am a regular reader but don't post often. I really do appreciate all of you for sharing your experiences. I have learned a lot.
My son is 22 and just graduated from college but has no career job yet. As a child my son, C, was delightful and charming - he had a wonderful sense of humor. In middle school he started to seem more sad and worried. Currently he doesn't seem to have many close friends any more. He has trouble with a lack of motivation and confidence. He fell in love several years ago but the girl broke it off and broke his heart. He has been worse since then.C recently was diagnosed with ADD and takes Adderall XR. This has seemed to help but he still seems very irritable and down at times, especially when he is not on the med, but even some with the med. He will verbally attack others over seeminly minor issues.
Do you think he is depressed?
His current ADD dr. tells him his symptoms are just the ADD - the doctor has ADD herself and so I think doesn't have as open a mind about other issues.
My husband doesn't believe in psychiatry and so just thinks son needs to "pull himself up by his bootstraps", so no support there.
C doesn't have much patience with Mom when she suggests the depression option, so I would have to think of a tactful way to suggest it. He is moving to another city to find a job in a few weeks, and will have to change doctors soon anyway. DO you know how to find a GOOD pdoc in a new city?
Thanks for any help you can give!
Richdawn
Posted by Jazzed on June 12, 2005, at 16:54:23
In reply to is my son depressed?, posted by Richdawn on June 12, 2005, at 7:47:35
Check out www.addforums.com for great advice on ADD and ADD meds. I can tell you, from my own experience, that if you're on the wrong stimulant, or the wrong dose, it can make you feel depressed. I was on too high a dose of Adderall XR, and felt depressed, now I'm at a great dose, and I feel great. Also, there's a thing called stimulant rebound, which happens when the stimulant wears off. People get irritable and depressed, but it wears off. What's his dose, and is it regular release (pills), or extended release (capsules)? ADD is very often co-morbid with other things like depression and anxiety. Any books by Hallowell or Amen would be a great source of info, and they're avail. at libraries.
Have you had a chance to talk to his doctor and express your concerns? Depression is no fun, I'd want it treated if that's what's going on. Moving and going to a new city might make it more difficult too. Does he have a doc lined up in the new city?
Good luck,
Jazzed
Posted by linkadge on June 12, 2005, at 16:54:23
In reply to Re: is my son depressed? » Richdawn, posted by Jazzed on June 12, 2005, at 10:58:04
I found dexedrine made me depreesed, but that ritalin did not.
Anyhow, It seems to me that your son is in a *huge* transition period right now. All that work to graduate and then whamo you have to start at square one to find employment. School is an institution, and when you're let go, sometimes its like "Brooks" out of "Shawshank Redemption"
Anyhow, I would certainly start with a good counseller. (I had bad school related depression, that I only wish I had gone to counselling for, before getting hooked on more meds)
Just my 1.5 cents
Linkadge
Posted by Richdawn on June 15, 2005, at 8:41:25
In reply to Re: is my son depressed? » Richdawn, posted by Jazzed on June 12, 2005, at 10:58:04
Dear Jazz,
Thank for your reply.
I didn't think I could converse with his doctor since he is of age -there's a confidentiality I think. Do you know?
I will look for the books you mentioned.
He doesn't have a doctor in the new city. Do you know of a way he could find a good one? He doesn't have a lot of patience to interview too many different docs, so recommendations would be great!
Donna
> Check out www.addforums.com for great advice on ADD and ADD meds. I can tell you, from my own experience, that if you're on the wrong stimulant, or the wrong dose, it can make you feel depressed. I was on too high a dose of Adderall XR, and felt depressed, now I'm at a great dose, and I feel great. Also, there's a thing called stimulant rebound, which happens when the stimulant wears off. People get irritable and depressed, but it wears off. What's his dose, and is it regular release (pills), or extended release (capsules)? ADD is very often co-morbid with other things like depression and anxiety. Any books by Hallowell or Amen would be a great source of info, and they're avail. at libraries.
>
> Have you had a chance to talk to his doctor and express your concerns? Depression is no fun, I'd want it treated if that's what's going on. Moving and going to a new city might make it more difficult too. Does he have a doc lined up in the new city?
>
> Good luck,
> Jazzed
This is the end of the thread.
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