MY 8 YR OLD IS ANGRY

MY SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ADHD IN 1999. HE WAS ON RITALIN AND NOW HE IS ON ADDEROLL.  THE MEDICINE HAS HELPED WITH HIS CONCENTRATION BUT HE IS STILL ANGRY ALL THE TIME> HE CRIES WHEN HE DOES NOT GET HIS WAY AND GETS ANGRY.  HE SOMETIMES TRIES TO HURT HIMSELF OR HIS BROTHER BUT USUALLY STOPS BEFORE HE HURTS HIMSELF OR HIS BROTHER.  I AM AT MY WITS END! WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP HIM WITH HIS ANGER PROBLEMS?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It'll be important to determine the genesis of the anger - i.e., is it a normal-spectrum behavior problem, is it related to a mood disorder. Stimulant medication will be of no help at all (it isn't intended to be) with anger (in fact, in some kids it can exacerbate irritability). You'll want to check out the possibility of a mood disorder (e.g., depressive disorder). One way or the other, a systematic approach to managing the behavior will be crucial. A mental health professional can help you with this, and it would be prudent to schedule an appointment. If you want to read about the sorts of plans I'm suggesting, take a look at Lynn Clark's book titled SOS: Help for Parents, or  Ross Green's The Explosive Child (though the latter is not primarily a book about behavior management).