Reading this reminds me of my oldest son. He was diagnosed with ADHD and we tried a doctors recommendation of Pamalor, which was an antidepressant and he became suicidal so I immediately stopped giving it to him, called the doctor and he said it was a possibility that that can happen.
Over the years we went to several doctors and tried different meds. He was very trying and my husband and I were under lots of stress for quite a while. He was held back from going into first grade and his Extended First Grade teacher (kindergarten the second time) said she created his own "office", which was a sectioned off area. She had over twenty kids in that class--all were ADHD boys. (After the first few weeks she was ready for Christmas break!)
When in high school he cared about baseball and football and made poor grades. We survived and today our son is awesome! Now at only age 24 he just finished his Masters Degree in Public Administration from Sam Houston, Bachelors in International Economics, with a Double Minor in Business Admin AND German from Univ of Toledo. He studied abroad in Germany after paying a H.S. Intl Exchange Student from Germany to teach him after school so he could be ready as soon as he finished High School. He wanted to go to Germany as soon as he graduated--took his cap & gown off at the airport! He stayed for summer and fall semesters May-Dec of 2001. Travelled all over Europe by eurorail-also went to Paris, Venice, Swiss Alps, Berlin, etc. with friends he met and campus field trips and also visited relatives. Was on the Dean's list with excellent grades. Was Vice Pres of Intl Business Assoc, German National Honor Society, Resident Assistant to dorm students on 9th floor, and much more.
In March, six months ago he was hired by the Dept of Defense and moved to Washington DC to work and live. He called last month and will be travelling back to Germany, Italy and the Netherlands on business with a supervisor and his boss to meet with 4-star general at Ramstein Airforce Base.
So, please hang in there. I wish I had been more patient but it was hard. Strong willed, hard headed, and defiant he was. It turned out to be amazing assets for our son! We are proud and amazed. So, learn what his currency is--I never thought of this--his "currency" as Dr. Phil puts it is what you earn to get what you want. Everyone wants something. Try that. It's hard to look back and wonder how I would "REDO" it all. Just pray, be patient, and he may turn out to make you very proud.