Labels

Labels. ADHD.  On the Spectrum.  Autistic.  Asperger's.  Gifted and Talented.   Dyslexic. Anxiety disorder.  Psychological labels are not for my boys.  That is something that other people's kids get. Certainly not my sons.  Medication is handed out far too often, in my opinion.  Certainly a proper diet, a good amount of physical activity and structure will help children with these labels.  Well, that's what I thought up until last week.  Until it was my child with the label.
 
Recently, I took Porthos and Aramis for sort of a psych evaluation.  Porthos had struggled with Epstein Barr Virus, Cytomegalovirus, and Mononucleosis for the past year and a half.  Now that his energy level is returning, we are starting to notice how fidgety he is.  Aramis tends to be a bit more insecure than other kids his age, and becomes sad easily.  What was determined is that Porthos is ADHD and Aramis has Generalized Anxiety Disorder and mild depression.  Wow.  Both are genetic.

Now, before you read any further, let me say that for those against medication, so was I.  Sometimes you don't know what else to do to help your child.  For those who are pro medication, we are just starting and haven't decided if we like it or not.  In the end, we do what we feel is right for OUR children.

Porthos has been given a prescription, not to alter his personality, but to help him focus on assignments and such.  In the mean time, we have signed him up for karate.  He really seems to be enjoying it.  Not sure how the medication is working yet, as it has only been two days and we haven't even started "school" yet.

Aramis has been put on Zoloft and will be seeking counseling for anxiety.  Where Porthos' plan should show near immediate results, Aramis' treatment plan will take time.  Months even.  But it's not just medication and/or counseling for my boys that is necessary.  It is also my approach to their behavior that needs work.  I need to be more patient and understanding.  I need to pay more attention to what triggers an upset with Aramis.  This is a new journey, and certainly not one I expected to take.  But here we are, none the less.