Re: ADHD and childhood depression

Posted By LIZ BUCHANAN on June 12, 1998 at 17:17:32:

In Reply to: ADHD and childhood depression posted by Joy on June 11, 1998 at 00:22:48:






I have a 6-year-old son who has been diagnosed for 3 years with ADHD.  The past month he has been demonstrating severe mood swings, outbursts, fussiness during sleep, wetting himself, inappropriate language, and desires to hurt others sometimes.  His psychiatrist who prescribes his Ritalin for the ADHD has recommended him also taking 10 mg of Prozac.  He was taking 10 mg 3x daily of ritalin and that was decreased to 5 mg 3x daily.  Is Prozac truly safe for a 6-year-old?  Is it often prescribed for children?  Does his symptoms truly seem to be depression?  There is a family history of depression.  What side effects are most common or should be looked for?


My son is now 9 and I started him on a stimulant 2 yrs. ago. Soon afterwards mood swings started . I believe part of it has to do with the meds. because we did take him off of it for awhile because he had lost so much weight and there were definite differences in his mood.  he was a much happier child, but soon began to get into trouble becuase he wasn't getting his work done.  I believe that my son is truly ADD but I don't think his body can tolerant the side effects of the stimulant.  Such as moodiness and severe appitite problems.  They now how my son taking Adderall (adderrall), Depakote, Mellarill, and Impramine.  I've had it .  I have now decided to maybe try another route.  Like to out rule possible allergy problems which can sometimes give a child ADD symptoms and I am going to try addressing the ADHD problems with natural herbs.  I understand this can really work for some kids.  
So my advice to you is if you do start him on Prozac, consider the possibilities of why he may be having these mood swings .  Is it the Ritalin?
Since it has been known to cause moodiness.  And is there something out there that can treat his problems naturally?  Or is it maybe just allergies?