A reader asks: How do I tell my son that he has this disorder called ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and needs medication and therapy. When I tried once six months back, he rejected this and said: "Nothing is wrong with me". He is 16-year old.
Dr Saliha Afridi, Clinical Psychologist, Director, The LightHouse Arabia, Dubai, replies: With the assumption that your son has undergone the proper and thorough neurological assessment to yield an accurate diagnosis of ADHD, I will suggest having an open conversation with him.
Your son is right 'nothing is "wrong" with him' . This is not a matter of right or wrong, but rather about differences. Individuals with ADHD have minds that are wired differently from others. Along with their struggles, they possess many gifts. There are many amazing human beings who are very successful in their line of work and contributed greatly to society who had a diagnosis of ADHD.
My suggestion would be to first understand what the diagnosis means to him? Is there a stigma associated with it? Does it make him feel like something is 'wrong' with him? Does he feel he learns and delivers just like others? Also ask yourself what this diagnosis means to you and how you have been communicating it to your son so far. Could the way you are communicating this diagnosis to him making him feel defensive?
Only once you know what his understanding, fears, and anxieties are about this diagnosis can you help him work through it to get to a place where he feels safe and open to therapy.
Disclaimer: This blog is a conversation and is not an alternative for treatment. The recommendations and suggestions offered by our panel of psychiatrists are their own and Gulf News will not take any responsibility for the advice they provide.
