ADHD and ODD

[JT1127]

My 12 year old daughter was diagnosed w/ ADHD 3 years ago She has taken several medications and currently takes Wellbutron and Concerta In the last 7 months or so she has become increasingly more out of control she is verbally abusive to all authority figures and now me. She refuses to do her school work and is failing all classes I had her in a 30 day residential facility to help w/ her anger but they asked to leave after her medication was changed and it had not been the correct dose so she verbally abused all of the staff.I am wondering a few things
1. Does ODD normally appear in kids w/ adhd?
2. Is there any trial I don't know about
3. Is there any place for treatment for these kids that is long term that a single parent can afford
I am at my wits end and my poor baby is so frusterated she want to kill her self sometimes.

Thank you
Judy

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Oppositional Defiant Disorder is not usually seen alongside ADHD but, at the same time, ADHD often is associated with other conditions such as ODD. With most children and teens who display ODD, the main symptom that might be targeted with medication is anger. Now, the Wellbutrin she receives is an antidepressant that can be useful in treating anger. However, there are other choices, chief among them a class of antidepressants called SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Celexa, Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac). Another class of medications that can be effective in diminishing anger and volatility are the mood stabilizing drugs and the anti-seizure drugs (which are often employed as mood stabilizers). Finally, some anti-hypertensive agents, such as Clonidine, can also be useful in treating anger. So, there definitely are choices. It's important to have an accurate diagnosis, and the key with your daughter is to determine if, alongside Disruptive Behavior Disorder (such as ADHD, ODD), she also displays a Mood Disorder (Depressionve Disorder, Bipolar Disorder). If a child cannot survive at home and in school, sometimes residential treatment is a sound intervention. Most children referred for residential treatment are funded by public agencies, who often share the costs, because such treatment really is out of the reach of most people. Your local social services/child protection agency and the school department would be good sources of information about the referral process in your area.