Children with ADHD, OCD, Tourettes. Help Please!?

Question

My son has always displayed "ADHD" signs. In 1st grade the school tested him for ADD and wouldn’t talk to me about intervention until a psychiatrist evaluated him. I had a full psychological evaluation done and took it to a psychiatrist who put him on ADD meds. The only problem is that the professional evaluation showed high depression and mild ADD not typical of normal signs. His grades did go from failing to B’s after getting on meds. He's now about to enter the 4th grade. But his behavior has never been fixed. He seems to not understand social cues and doesn't make many friends. Although he has some. In March he had a seizure and I've taken him off of meds. Meanwhile, he has had a tic disorder which was made worse by the meds. Two people suggested that he had Aspergers so I took him to an expert in that field who said no to Aspergers. But he said Tourettes and OCD. I’m having a hard time connecting my son’s behaviors to OCD. He doesn’t check things or perform rituals.

When he was in Kindergarten he would check the doors often throughout the day, during dinner, during a movie…but that only lasted a month or so. He IS afraid of being by himself in areas of the house. The Doc said this was significant since there are 7 people in our house and in a house like ours, one typically struggles to find places to be alone rather than being afraid of being alone. The Doc wants to put him on Prozac. I know I need to trust the Doc, and he was recommended to me by two very good sources, but I just don’t see OCD. His major symptoms are 1) being too silly & immature for his age 2) not getting along with peers- invading their personal space, touching them, hitting them etc. I do agree with the Tourettes diagnosis because he does have tics. How can my son have OCD when all he does occasionally is to check to make sure doors are locked and is afraid to be alone?

Answer 1

First of all, you have to recognize that, while they know a lot, docs don't know everything. Trust yourself as a mother. You know your child better than anybody else. However, be open to the possibilities. Sometimes our love and good intentions can blind us to things that others - particularly trained professionals - might actually be able to see. (I speak from experience.)

There may be a better medication for your child's symptoms, but, with my boys (both once diagnosed ADHD, and other times with other ailments) counseling, consistency, strong rules and discipline, and a lot of love have made the greatest difference. (They did use meds for a while.) Both are now responsible 20 year old young men - still showing a few signs of "whatever," but mostly just really great young men!

There is hope. I know that sometimes right now, you feel like there isn't, but, rest assured, there is. Keep working on it - study things yourself. There is a very strong similarity between Tourettes, OCD, ADD, Asperbergers, Autism, and a variety of other neurological disorders, and there is a strong similarity in the treatments that are effective, so, try a few. You may find the one that is best for your son - and for you.
Best wishes to you.

Answer 2

These labels are actually pretty subjective. But if he didn't have the tics until after he started taking meds, it's possible that he doesn't have Tourette's at all, maybe the medication is causing the tics.
If his grades went up after getting the ADD meds, that diagnosis is probably accurate but maybe a different medication should be tried to see if he stops having tics.
Did you talk to the psychiatrist before taking him off the medication? Was a seizure diagnosed by a medical doctor?

I would say stick to the psychiatrist and not worry about the labels given to him by psychologists. It's not unusual for psychologists to give long lists of diagnoses "maybe it's this, maybe it's that"-psychiatrists are more likely to get to the point.
Talk to the psychiatrist about your concerns. If he can't seem to help you, find another psychiatrist or go to a pediatric neurologist (medical doctor specializing in the nervous system). I wouldn't bother with the psychologists.

The other person said there are "CAT scans that can identify ADHD"--I never heard of that; I don't think there is any such thing.

Answer 3

According to the doctors, your son seems to have three completely different conditions. ADHD is a much too commonly diagnosed condition and can refer to such a wide range of behaviours that it has become the condition du jour of school children. The ticks you mention and the "OCD" behaviours are most likely the result of the ADHD medication. Prozac would reverse the stimulant aspect of previous meds, but it will leave you, once again with a medicated child. I would aggressively question any doctor that would precribe medication for a 1st grader that may, in fact, be quite normal.

Answer 4

First, I am sorry you are having a hard time diagnosing your son. My daughter has some problems that the dr wanted to fix with paxil. I was not willing to do that just yet. She's only 4. I did a lot of research and decided to start with her diet. I removed all MSG, preservitives (especially BHT, sodium benzoate, nitrates) limited sugar. I am telling you I have a new child! It sounds like your son might still have some issues but changing his diet might make a big difference. It worked for us, big time!

Answer 5

Get a second opinon. He doen't sound like he has OCD, and now(i'm not blaming you) there is a cat scan for ADD&ADHD to see if he realy has it...he may have been on unnessary medications which caused the later problems


10, in a large family...i'm not supprised he's afraid to be alone

Answer 6

god bless you