We all ahve been on tht road, and even now find ourselves there., it is natural feeling for parents to feel that with these type of kids, my daughter is 13, she started having problems when she was 4. we put it off as age and being the baby of the family at the time, finally when she was 7 I could not take it anymore, we started therapy, lots ofwrong roads later and a lot of frustrations i think and hope we are on the right road, but the one thing I have always fought to not do was place her someplace to get help. I truly believed that with our love and patience and therpay and meds and not giving up we could help her and things wouldbe okay. she has struggles all these years and it is still a struggle for her but we are on new meds and doing soem other things,however we do have a treatment center in place because I have come to realize that I can no longer help her in ways that other people may be able to, I do not wan this and I hope we do not have to use it,but it is there in case, the guilt I feel is horrible, I feel like a failure becauee I have not been abel to fix her, or I have not loved her enough or I do not want her,. 1 she cannot be fixed, 2 I have not failed her but I still struggle with that one and 3 I love her more then my own life, but I have to do what is best for her. not me, and ifit comes down to sending her there I will do it, it will break my heart,I too wonder though if I had given in ealrier ifshe would have the issues she has now and the stuggles and stuff, it is like meds. the thing is it does no good to go back over things we canot change and beat ourselves up. we do that enough. just know things are going in the right direction nowand even thiough days may not be perfect it is better, you are nto a bad mom,you are a mom who did not give up and will not ever give up. smile and enjoy him andhis good days, and make memories, please do not let the past beat you up. I hope that things keep moving in the right direction, sorry if I rambled on,

it's ok... who knows maybe 2 yrs ago his system wouldn't have handled the meds so well

You've tried all you could and should be proud of yourself for that.

As a mom you have to do what is right for your child. It sounds like that is exactly what is happening. As mom's we want to fix everything, even more so when our child is experiancing such difficulties. YOu are doing the right thing. He is getting the help he needs and will be fine. Giving thanks that he will not have to face more hardship then he needs to in his life. Rest in God's comfort that he is protecting and watching over your son. I will keep you and your son in my prayers.
I have one question? Has he ever tried any other meds but this current one? It sounds like it's not making him depressed, which is wonderful! My son was taking adderall and he was so depressed and not him self. I have been scared to put him back on any meds because of this. Just curious if your doctor said anything of the chances of that happening.
Thank you & God Bless.
Alyssa

Thanks everyone for the support, and you're all right. It's just so hard sometimes, but I know that this is something we all feel - the guilt that we should've done something different. Jillybugsmom, please take your good advice too, as you are a very loving and caring mom who will never give up either.

Arbrentwood, this is the first medication we have tried with him. He is on Biphentin (Focalin is its U.S. equivalent). We started off on a very low dose (10mg) and he's now on 15mg. No side effects at all, except for some mood swings shortly before bed, but I think that's just the meds wearing off for the day. Depression is, though, something the doctors tell you to watch for. I know it's normal to go through a few different kinds before you get it right for your child, so I would speak to your doctor and see if you can try something else.

Thanks everyone :)