Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 2/5/2009

Question
MY<TARA> SITUATION GOES LIKE THIS...MY SON<ANTHONY12>AND I HAVE BEEN LIVING THE UNMEDICATED ROLLER COASTER WAY OF LIFE WITH<CHRIS36>MY BOYFRIEND AND FATHER OF MY 1 YR OLD DAUGHTER<ALISA>FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS.UNTIL ABOUT 3 YRS AGO WHEN CHRIS GOT MEDICATED(NOW WE ARE ON THAT ROLLERCOASTER} I THINK WE ARE LIKE 4 DIFFERENT MEDS IN(GEODON,LAMICTAL,AND ATAVAN)AND NO OTHER OUT SIDE HELP.WE LIVE IN A REALY RURUAL AREA WITCH MEANS THERE IS NO HELP IN THIS NECK OF THE WOODS OTHER THAN A TELEMED DR ONCE EVERY 3MONTHS.ANYWAYS WITH THAT SAID YOU PROBLY CAN IMAGIN THE MILLIONS OF ?S THAT I HAVE BUT FOR NOW I WILL KEEP IT SHORT OH YEAH MY 12YR OLD SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ADD LAST YEAR.MY SON HAS NO RELATION TO MY BP BOYFRIEND EXCEPT THE EXPOSEURE TO HIM SINCE HE WAS 6.COULD MY SONS ADD HAVE BEEN CAUSED OR EVEN MAYBE TRIGGERED BY THE EXPOSURE TO THE BP?OKAY OKAY THATS RIGHT I SAID KEEP IT SHORT....SO ? WHERE DO I FIND HELP FOR ME TO HELP MY 12YR SON AND MY 1YR OLD DAUGHTER.HECK WHERE DO I FIND ANYONE FOR ME TO TALK TO WITH OUT ANYONE GETTING ARRESTED.I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DISSORDER IF LEFT UN TREATED.MY CONCERN IS MY CHILDREN FIRST.HOW DO I HELP THEM TO PREPARE FOR THEIR STRUGLES?WHAT BOOK DO I READ/ WHAT CLASS CAN I TAKE / WHO DO I TALK TO?????HELP SOME ONE PLEASE!!!!!!!!  

Answer
Hi Tara:

No, your son's ADD could not be caused by exposure to a bipolar person. Do a search on YahooGroups for special needs children-there are some really good support groups there.  These can offer you viewpoints and suggestions from parents like you, who have had to learn what works and what doesn't.  Just put YahooGroups in your browser and you will find the search for a group place on the home page.  You may search for both special needs kids and ADD.

              Joyce A. Anthony