Navigating the ADHD journey

"Well, he officially got the diagnosis," I tell family and close friends in the days after we receive the very long report. 

They all reply, with empathy, with the same question, "How are you feeling about it?"

In the first days, I felt relief. Finally an answer to some of the difficulties. We peel back the layers of the ADHD symptoms and say, 'yes, that's him; it makes so much sense now.' I begin to think of the behaviors and difficulties in a softer light. 

"We can finally get him some help!" is the general feeling.

But weeks pass by, and it becomes so much more complicated. Now we have to make decisions. We are in a lapse of insurance as our family navigates an underemployment situation. We want to continue with counseling. Appointments are made, or need to be made, to see nurses and specialists. The real question is, where do we go from here?

Any parent who has had to make big medical decisions knows the pull and stress of ALL THE INFORMATION. To vaccinate or not? Treat the ear infection with breastmilk and garlic or meds? Try both? This particular path we are on is not short-term. It is not an ear infection. There is no right answer, in my opinion.

You see, I believe your stories. I believe that you tried all the things and then got the meds and your kid thrived and changed and blossomed. The meds made the turning point. It was worth the side effects. I believe you. I also believe a different you that tried the herbs and the oils and the diet and saw the changes. It probably took more effort. But I'm happy it made a good difference.

I get pop-up ads now on my phone. 'Try our product! Take this course! You'll see results! He will focus and slow down. It doesn't have to be this hard.' they all say. All for a cost of...$$$/month.

I don't know what to do. Some days, we are ok. The hard work of a routine and discipleship and prayer and protein and vitamins and sunshine and making all the conditions work out - well, it helps. Other days we say the things we should not. The explosions tear at our very souls. The work of a math lesson exhausts us. We are all weary and ready to feel better about things. Just, how to get there? 

And that is where we are at.