Parenting an ADHD/ODDer

My daughter will be 7 in a couple weeks. About 6 months ago she was tested & began treatment for ADHD. I've been reading as much as I can to learn how to better parent her; to understand her triggers.
That all sounds great... Until I realize I don't know my own triggers.

This is the most defeated I've ever felt.

I know there are more parents out there...

Hi. My daughter is the same age will be 8 in July and had ADHD and ODD and generalized anxiety disorder and o have noticed now that she is getting older and maturing she has been having a harder and harder time. It is difficult to deal with because saying or doing the wrong thing during an episode can just escalate it. I have taught her when she starts to get upset to move away and draw or read

Everyday seems to be a new learning lesson. I have a level of transference with my daughter because of my own metal health concerns. For both of us to have a good day on the same day is a very special experience. They aren't frequent but they give me hope.

I have anxiety and bipolar as well so I understand what your mean. Biggest thing I have learned is to wait until I can remain calm when talking to her about whatever is going on because if I am angry she just gets angrier

I don't know if I'll be much help, I don't have children, but I grew up with ADHD (or something from that group. Minimal brain dysfuncion it was called then). Never been on medication. What I recall is feeling so frustrated and misunderstood. Frustrated because the things didn't work out the way I wanted. Misunderstood because on top of that everyone was always assuming I meant what I didn't mean and drawn conclusions from it. That was the worst.

Now, the relationship with my mother is strained because of what was happening after I was about 10-12 and her mentall illness really started presenting itself. But before that she was wonderful. I wonder if the strain of bringing me up was just too much... The biggest thing she's done for me is to feel more or less "normal" and let me know that she loves me even if things don't work out the way I want. She always distracted me from the thing that frustrated me, talked to me, patiently explained things to me (I responded very badly to pressure and demands that didn't make sense). I believe telling me what's just happened, calmly and without asumptions, really made a difference. Also a big part for her was keeping something of a peace with teachers, who often really hated me. I wish she explained that to me, besides the typical (typical for her illness, I learned later) "they're just bad, evil people". I loved things that moved, but hated things I couldn't understand and no-one really explained or allowed me to explore. Understanding what's going on, how things work, was really big for me.

Of course every child will be different, but maybe this can be also helpful. Just don't forget to take care of yourself as well...

My son has Autism, ADHD, GAD and more. This book really helped me
http://www.amazon.com/Syndrome-Autis.../dp/1849059675

I also found that around 7 years old he was acting out more then before, he is now 10 and with help from his therapist is making progress.