What makes family life with a child with ADHD so different?

Jacky Pegg from Sandwell's ADHD Support Group said "Its a bit like living with a human tornado where everyone around them gets sucked into the vortex! My child's bedroom looks like the epicentre of an 8.6 earthquake. There are videos, CDs, other things hes taken apart, tools, wrappers, half eaten biscuits..and thats just his bed in the mornings! He starts one thing and moves onto the next leaving a trail of debris behind him. To my son the only way to find out how something works is to take it apart, he doesn't realise that his sister may be upset that he's just destroyed her favourite toy. All this takes place at high speed and high volume. It's hard to hear yourself think never mind decide how to handle it. All the usual sanctions just dont work as he doesnt know how to calm down or slow up. And yet I love him and I now know that he really doesnt want to be like this. It's as if his mind is racing and his hands are furiously trying to keep up with all his thoughts. As you can imagine this can make family life like a war zone. And it is especially hard when other people just think my son is being naughty or deliberately disruptive and abusive.

So what do families do to cope?

Many breathe a huge sigh of relief when they have the ADHD diagnosed and find out that medication can calm down some of the symptoms. Some find talking to other parents who are going through the same thing comforting as they can express their frustration, anger and exasperation without feeling judged. Others need the support of teachers and health workers who, may not have all the answers, but can sometimes suggest ways to cope.

For more information about ADHD look at the website www.add.org