What help is there for a 17 year old ADHD sufferer?

Question

My friends son had ADHD and really cant cope anymore and cant find any help for him due to his age

he is aggressive and smashes things up

he is out of control , he is on medication but regularly forgets to take them

any help would be great

Answer 1

Are you sure it is ADHD? I was diagnosed with ADD when I was in 4th grade. But I was "borderline." In reality, it wasn't ADD at all, it was sheer boredom. I was smarter than most of my classmates, and lecture often bored me.

I was angry child all the way through high school. It was mainly self esteem issues, and some mild abuse by my mother.

You can always suggest that she takes her son to a psychologist/therapist and maybe find an alternative to medication. Maybe he just needs someone to talk to.

Answer 2

Tell the mother to make her son take the medication.

EDIT: He's not legally a(n) adult, and the parent has full responsibility for the child. She can make him go to the doctor, take his medication, etc. He's still a minor.

Answer 3

My Eldest son (now 20 and a half) has ADHD, which was diagnosed officially when he was 15. He has had it since he was a tiny little boy. He has severe symptoms, even now but has never been aggressive or violent in any way or form. I don't think this is ADHD. It seems more likely that he has anger problems and needs to see someone before it really gets out of control. His mum should take him to see his GP and try to get a referral to a child psychologist. He is still a minor and should get some support. Can I also suggest you may like to signpost your friend to connexions who may have contact details for youth organisations which may be Able to help. The last thing she needs, is to have him labelled with a mental health problem.

Answer 4

Hmm, I'm diagnosed with ADHD but girls generally aren't as physical with it as boys... I the medicine no problem by myself, I feel horrible if I don't- everything just so much more of a challenge and it gets really hard to keep information in my brain.  He should be seeing a psychiatrist cos you need one to be prescribed... talk to him.Try looking for anger management. You need to get him to want help. No one wants to be angry all the time just convince him that it could be better.

  If all else fails go on doctor Phill...

Answer 5

Hey :]

My boyfriend has ADHD but it's a mild form. A few years ago he had it really bad but things started getting better after he went through a few changes.

First of all his diet had a complete turn around. Rubbish food high in sugar, salt and fats got put down a minimum and healthy food was introduced. After a few weeks of this, you could see the difference.

The second thing that changed was that he got a job. His attention was always focused elsewhere. My boyfriend worked in a circuit board factory doing odd jobs which kept him busy and often wore him out after a full days work.

The weekend was spent with his friends doing all sorts of things with me and his friends. He was always busy which kept his attention and focus steady. Sitting in front of the TV playing video games isn't going to help him.

In your case, on top of all this, he really does need to be encouraged to take his meds. This will help him and calm him down and a few weeks/months a siginificant  change should be made apparant.

I hope this helps

Good Luck Hun and I hope all goes well x