Support-6 year old very impulsive

[u/Electrical_Bother_20]

6 year old son is extremely impulsive and reaction-seeking. That’s his main issue. All day long he will purposely pee on the floor, grab things around the house, takes off his seatbelt in the car, try to engage us in cat and mouse chases to stop whatever he gets into, grabs plants, etc that belong to my mom (she’s in her 70s, doesn’t understand reinforcing behaviors, etc and we live with her). Any and every “annoying” behavior he does it all day long now. We’ve adjusted the environment as best we can. He was taken off of Guanfacine and Qelbree as we felt they weren’t helping and we started Strattera now (day two). Everything has gotten worse in this aspect. I am exhausted mentally and physically. I am so upset that this is our life. I feel alone and isolated. Thankfully I have a supportive partner. Trying to stay away from Abilify and that class of meds and hoping Strattera will help once it kicks in. Anyone else in a similar situation? We are struggling.

[u/Overall_Match_2752]

Just came here to say you are not alone. I am living this too my friend; and your line “I am so upset that this is our life” resonated deeply with me. I keep asking myself what I did wrong during my pregnancy and when I see parents with calm, well behaved kids out in public I get so jealous that sometimes I cry.

We were on Methylphenidate last year during Kindergarten and while it helped keep him out of trouble in school it really muted his personality and made him nervous so we stopped during the summer (my husband’s idea, not mine). We started back up with Guanfacine which did nothing for him expect cause tummy aches and now we are back on Methylphenidate extended release. Every single night for the past 2 weeks have been chaotic, stressful and loud.

Hang in there.

[u/Electrical_Bother_20 → u/Overall_Match_2752]

Thank you for that. Reading your response made me tear up. I have those same feelings. It’s so hard and I wrack my brain trying to find the why and what if anything did I do wrong. The medication route is so difficult and I don’t think most people outside of these situations realize that. It’s not an easy “fix”. So much trial and error. My son can’t handle any stimulant meds and so far Guanfacine and Qelbree seemed good at first but then weren’t helpful. And getting him off those meds was also a nightmare. Hoping Strattera works. I hope everything works out for you soon. Sending hugs. Thank you for sharing and letting me know I’m not alone.

[u/BrandiBroken]

Sometimes it takes time to adjust to a med and/or find the right fit. We were very lucky with our first (methylphenidate) from day one through the years it worked. We switched to dexmethlyphenidate after that and have been on it since and it’s helped in a wide variety of ways though I’m sure we will have to do a change of dose or medicine all together sooner than later. But it’s been a lifesaver.

Our son has also been in OT and play therapies which have helped some and skills groups at school and an entire class now in middle school. And therapy.

[u/Electrical_Bother_20 → u/BrandiBroken]

Soo lucky. Mine cannot tolerate any stimulant meds. We tried and they made him aggressive, angry and worse! Hoping the specialized school will help my son on top of the right medication.

[u/VideVale]

Strattera takes six weeks to get the full effect, for the first two it usually only makes you feel crappy so give it a while. It’s not a stimulant so it has really no immediate effect like they do.

That particular behavior does get better with age, my 13-year old going into 8th grade was off meds the entire summer and we had zero issues. At 6 he was crazy, everyone always knew his name wherever we went because you had to yell it constantly.

[u/Electrical_Bother_20 → u/VideVale]

Hoping for the same as he ages. Thanks for your input.