My twelve year old son was diagnosed at age 5 with ADHD. He took Ritalin until two years ago. He now takes Adderall, Zoloft, Depakote, Coloinidine, Periactin and Hydroxyzine. His/My doctor has now said that he is also a Manic Depressive. I know all about being a Manic Depressive because I am one also. He takes Adderall for ADHD, Zoloft for Depression, Depakote for Manic, Coloindine for a hand to face tick, Periactin for itching/to gain weight, and Hydroxyzine for itching. I am also Hypothyroid, as are my sisters and father. My six year old daughter was just diagnosed with ADD and is on Ritalin. I have been researching all of these and have seen that hypothyroid covers them all. I also have a goiter. I have told my doctor that my syptoms have not improved, I take .05 synthroid. (My sisters and father take higher doses) I have read that even if the blood test are "normal" that you can still need more Synthroid. Is this true? If my son and daughter have thyroid problems also could this count out the ADD/ADHD and Manic Depression with all of us? No other members of our families have these, only Hypothyroid. I guess that I would rather have passed on Hypothyroid to my children that Manic Depression. Just the idea that they would have to live thier lives in such pain is very unnerving to me. Knowing that Manic Depression often ends in suicide makes me want to help them in any way I can. I have been to Manic Depression support groups but they have never helped. They depress me and I start to think it is hopeless.