Hello All;
I haven't been posting lately as I have been going over in my mind the
conclusions of my childrens test results.  I am now inclined to more
skepitism.  I will slightly go over details here.  First my 11 year
old has been diagnosed with depression caused from his low intelligence
and probably reactions from the teasing from friends and hard times with
school work.  No attention problems, but some impulsitivity along with
some distractions caused from the depression.  He was diagnosed with
ADHD when he was in 1st grade now he is in 5th grade.  2nd child diagnosed
also with depression and low self esteem.  Partial attention deficit, meaning
sometimes he can and sometimes he can't.  Some impulsitivity along with
distractions caused from the depression.  Why he is depressed they haven't
the foggiest.  Lately their behavior has become really extreme.  I have not
seen any real depression except for the eldest crying spells over emotional
tramas such as getting punched or feelings hurt because he can't go 
omewhere.
Now to set the scenes:  Jonathon (eldest) and Jeremy are cleaning their
mess in the basement.  Of course, they decide to play instead of clean.
Now mind you they are playing and getting along fine.  Jonathon decides to
stab Jeremy with something.  This is out of playing around.  No depression
just playing and laughing.  Jeremy of course gets mad and punches him.  A
reaction that is not caused from depression.  2nd Scene:  Jonathon and
Jeremy plays outside with a friend who has behavior problems and is on
medication.  This child has gotten much better on this medication so we
decide to let them play together.  The backyard is off limits to the children
because they destroy things such as the wooden fence, broken garage window
so they can get in and so forth.  This child brings over a lighter and the
children decide to make a fire place in the corner of the fence.  My children
allow this to happen.  Not thinking how dangerous, even though this kind
of thing has been discussed many times, they go along; probably helping.
Now they are playing.  Not depressed, just playing.  This scene happened
within 10 minutes of them going outside, which is approx. just short of
when I usually check on them to see what they are doing. This also includes
the usual behavior of pounding nails in things and taking nails out just
because they feel like it. Is this depression?  How can I justify
their behavior on just depression?  I am finding out that Jonathon is
definetly going thru puberty, and I am seriously thinking that maybe this
is manic depressive behavior with mild ADD.  I am also seriously thinking
that what Jeremy has is mild ADHD (considering he does not fall asleep
before midnite and doesn't usually sit still for very long and gets bored
easily if watching a movie and therefore has to run out and play) with
possible ODD symptoms.  To me both children being diagnosed with depression
(oh may I add that Jeremy has been diagnosed with not being able to handle
his emotions (a sense of getting overwhelmed either by stimuli or by feeling
such as anger or disappointment) just isn't clear enough of an answer to
such dilema's as dangerous playing.  I can not go back to the library for
more info on the subject matter.  If someone could post any symptoms on
ODD and ADD/ADHD again I would really appreciate it.  I will be taking
them to a Psychrist (sp) as soon as I can afford it to look this testing
over and to get a feel for the children. Now I have been told the things
I am doing at home is very positive and that this is not caused by anything
we are doing or not doing.  Another words, Not our fault.  But what I
can not understand is depression being the cause of behavior when they
are happy and content at the moment.  I can understand Jonathon not doing
anything because he is quiet and submissive many times, but Jeremy is NOT!
He is bossy and quiet aggressive, unless he is around people he does not
know.  Please help me sort this out as I am going crazy.  Some info on
the above disorders would help.  I am going to have to do something fast
as I am begining to get afraid I will wake up dead (burned house or some-
thing; that may be an exaggeration, but you get the picture). Thanks.
Regina
... ARRRRRGGGHHH!!!! ... Tension breaker, had to be done.
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