Im a mother of 4 children. My second oldest son who's 15 years old has ADHD....I know its a term that people don't agree with, but when you live it......its hard.....I was not keen on giving him any medication and tried doing it on my own...my family didnt understand till a few years ago on what its like to be with someone with ADHD  but after he burnt our house down there really wasnt any option... He has been off medication now for the last 2 years...
I love my son more than words can describe....but I also have 3 other children that find it hard sometimes....things have been going great until recently...he will intimidate us all...everything is about him...he can pick on you all day but as soon as someone tries the same (at home or school) its a totally different story...he cannot take it...
we have had 11 years of councelling, working with the schools, sports coaches etc....but Im at my witts end....sometimes I just want to close myself in the bedroom and cry...I have lost all patience and of late I yell...I know its not the right thing to do... but Im just so  excausted....
can anyone who has a child with this condition please give me some advise....
(its difficult to describe what its like unless you have a child who has the same condition....)

Hi Ritzyglitz, Welcome to Mystic Board

I found that diet is a big area that helps, strictly checking ingredients and keeping a diary of everything eaten and drunk, seeing which ones trigger the 'black moods'. Not easy with a 15 year old, and you will probably have tried this anyway but I found that all the usual additives and preservatives, colourings and flavourings really made things a lot worse. Then we noticed that there was a pattern a few hours after eating certain foods, perhaps a low blood sugar level , but we began to be able to pinpoint when outbursts would occur and limit them by giving a small safe snack. Gradually the bad times got fewer, there was still the anger and frustration and some days that would be hell.  But slowly we all noticed a difference. I ended up taking course after course in order to find out all I could to help, and we realised that there were other factors like OCD and dyslexia and Aspergers, everyone was very quick to blame ADD or ADHD and bad parenting and food that they overlooked other possible causes.

You aren't alone, and it is hard to cope. But at 15 things are at their peak of hormonal chaos, it does get better, honest!

I know also..
I have a brother 39 and is still living in hell every day so is his family~!!

It was all fun and games as we was kids and didn't know why our other brother was funnier then anyone else and so AWAKE, never slept always thinking who is out to get him..
How they can save the world..
Be funnier then anyone else, make ppl laugh...
I know how you feel..
He drinks on top of this and can not stop...
He's been on the 12 steps - 100 times, now going on 2001 steps...
I feel for them all..
His son's and daughter has it also..
Any children they have will have it also...

We go out of out minds to help them..
I wished I could help them stop blaming them self's for something they didn't ask or understand..
In his mind he blames our parents for his ADHD..
Meaning because they divorced and he got it and what not -blah, blah, blah...
He's don't read about it to understand it, blames everyone else..
I have no tips to help you...
Just never stop loving and just keep trying..
I did with my brother he's now married and life is so awful to them all...

Gems right about the diet..
My brother use to take a loaf of bread and make bread balls the sugar was like taking speed or a jolt drink..
Sourer candy omg he lived for it..
Still does if he's not drinking...
My mother didn't see him eat it I did..
Now I understand why he was sooooooooooooooooooooooo hipper....
He didn't know he had ADHD until about 3 years ago..
My mother tried for years wondering what was wrong had tests done, nothing came up..
Even today he's lost and don't feel right...
It's so sad.
He's a very sweet brother and cares or did once..
It's hard on everyone around them...
Family friends and who ever..

I was 24 with my one and only child and our son has autism..
Like Judy says it's a label..
He's on the mild side could not ask for a better child...
I asked for him as is...
And God gave him to me, a child to love and a child who loves all and cares for everyone..
Heart of gold...
He's my {~*Angel*~}

No matter how hard it is don't ever quite on your children...
I would hate to have any family or friends or strangers quite on me..
Brakes are good..
I'm sorry about your home...
Our home was not burnt down but he use to hurt little animals and make me view what he did..
And then he would hate him self, he was so young then...
I know how hard it is..

Hugs to you mom..

Try Gems diet..
Great tip Gem t/y...

Thank you for your kind words of advise.......(I have tried everything that has been suggested to me) After years of councelling and trying different strategies I feel the only people that can really understand what its like for you and your family are people with the same circumstances.
You are in my thoughts. I shouldn't complain cause there's so many people that have it very hard, whether its ADHD, OCD,AUTISTIC etc. I pray every day that my son and every child don't suffer this way...they must feel isolated   at the best of times. Its hard for us but cannot imagine what they go through.
Today has been a good day for us........the roller coaster ride is on level ground for a while I hope.
My children mean the world to me but some times things get on top of me and it actually felt good been able to write all this down yesterday...every little bit helps...
so again I thank you....

It's hard dealing with things alone...
I'm happy you got a good day...

I have bad days to I get mad at what ever..lol
Thank goodness for my great friend Vish-Wish...
He and my hubby keep me in line some days.. LoL
Your in my prayers "ritzyglitz"