I'd highly suggest reading both these books to educate yourself on this disorder, then you can better understand what your doctor is describing to you.

They are: Driven To Distraction and it's follow up Delivered from Distraction - both are written by Edward M. Hallowell, MD and John J. Ratey, MD.

I only know my life experience living with ADHD, at about 30+ years, and I won't advise regarding child mental health disorders - adult yes!

What the doctors mean is your son has ADD not ADHD but they only call it ADHD anymore. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder while ADD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder. Its not really less ADHD he just isn't hyper. I would encourage you to have him tested for Autism. He may have high functioning Autism. The reason I say that is because of the way you explain his outburst and him not making eye contact even when happy. You should read up on symptoms and behaviors of children with Autism and see if you son fits them and if you suspect its possible get him an appointment and have him tested. My son has sever ADHD and he definitely has the hyperactivity, be glad your son doesn't, its exhausting parenting a hyperactive child. My son exhibited some signs of high functioning Autism so his doctor sent us to Nationwide Childrens Diagnostic center where they tested him and ruled it out, he is just a loner who doesn't like to be touched and sometimes doesn't like to make eye contact. While there I did find out that as I already knew from first hand experience and his pediatrician diagnosing him that he had SEVERE ADHD, he also has a specific learning disorder which has made him learning to read quite a challenge. He was also diagnosed with something called ODD(oppositional defiance disorder). I hope I was of some help with my response, good luck :)

Hi, thanks for replying guys. Thanks for recommending the books, will have a look out for them. I have also thought about the Autism since watching a programme last week. It did get me wondering as my son has some of the things that a child on there had. Initially my son was only supposed to be assessed for Dyspraxi so it was a major shock and saddened to find out he had ADHD, not because he has it but because of how he would cope with it as he gets older and that I was totally unprepared for the diagnosis. Saying this though, maybe my son is like yours, as you said, just a bit of a loner that finds it hard to look at people properly. It is definitely something to think about though. Thanks again guys for replying.

I strongly suggest consult the only expert that can help you. YOU. You don't need drugs to treat your child and specially when this are in the same level of dangerousness and addiction as cocaine. ADHD has no scientific test to prove its existence and people should be directed to real doctors and not psychiatrists who base their diagnosis in their opinion of what someones behaviour is. Get the facts right. It doesn't matter how many people or 'expert' say that ADHD exists. they can't prove it. many people say that the earth was flat and at the end they were proven wrong. Ask for the PROOF. It does not exist.

I know this is all hard and a big worry but it will get better. Childrens mental health is a challenge for all of us parents.

I would ask myself how much are my childs symptoms impairing their day to day life. Trust your instincts. If your answer is a lot,, then he has something going on that is impairing his well being. The label only helps to point you in the right direction and get good help for him.

ADHD is an acronym that is used to describe a bunch of characteristics. The person is right about he may not have the H part. My son doesnt have the H characterisitic but my other one does.

It doesnt matter if they can prove he has it or not. In fact they can do a complex scan of the brain to determine if someone has the type of brain that looks like an AHDH brain now. They know now what the image of an ADHD characteristic brain looks like. So the comment by iglome is incorrect. The test costs a ton of money so not many people have that type of scan done. It doesnt matter anyway. You have to ask yourself how much these characteristics are impacting his well being and how he functions day to day. Then you need to get good help from the school and get an IEP on him. The school psychologist needs to be involved and they are good at assessing these issues usually. Also make sure he gets tested for a learning disability and possible aspergers symptoms or a emotional/behavioural problem. You have to be proactive with everyone you deal with and really understand his conditions. You have to advocate for him until he can himself.

People who have a brain that works like this can be very impulsive with their anger. It is a common characteristic.

Sometimes meds are the answer for symptoms that greatly impair their well being. Some kids have symptoms that make their lives very unhappy and then they become at risk for developing other serious issues like depression/suicide. t. The meds can be a life saver for some kids and they dont have to take them forever. Maturity helps with the ADHD characterisitics a lot. Some people try cognitive behaviour therapy for these types of characteristics and diet changes. It is worth a try but if the person truly has an ADHD brain it now considered a mental illness in North America in the same way schizophrenia is. Many people do get misdiagnosed with ADHD and they actually have another mental health or emotional/behavioural issue. It is an overused diagnosis.

There is no current proof that ADHD meds are physically addictive. Psychologically maybe. There are lots of current studies with children from ages 8 - 20 that dispel that belief. BUT you need to understand the side effects of these meds and go over everything with the doctor and do your research.

This will get better and it is all overwhelming at the moment. Us parents all understand and empathize with what you are going through! Just get used to be very assertive for your childs sake.

My son, 8, has been seeing a psychiatrist for a long time. My older boys, 21 and 19, have ADHD. We had to try several meds with the second son before we found the right one.
Dr. Was steadily increasing Concerta with 8 year old, and he started having rages too. She felt that the stimulant was causing the temper. If your son just started stimulants, or increased his dose, maybe that's what's making him agitated. See what your dr has to say.