For almost a year, John became extremely hyperactive just before bed. The bedtime ritual (i.e. brushing teeth, going potty, etc) was always a battle. If left unattended, even for a moment, he dumped shampoo on the floor, or washed the walls with soap, or found some other way to get into trouble. Even with an adult present he danced about, unable to perform even the simplest tasks. Sometimes we brushed his teeth for him while he laughed hysterically, as though intoxicated. We made him sit on the toilet because his aim was notoriously unreliable. The low carbohydrate diet reduced these symptoms somewhat, but bedtime was still a chore. Some nights he was all right, but often he was unable to brush his teeth, even after a calm day.
For months I assumed he was "just tired", which magnified his symptoms, but as he entered the first grade I began to think about it logically. He often got into trouble in bathrooms, even during the day. He deliberately stuffed wads of toilet paper into the toilets at home and at school. He spilled water, dabbled in hygiene products, washed the walls, got into cupboards, and so much more. As I told his teacher, "If he's singing in the bathroom, you're all right. But if he's quiet, something bad is happening." He isn't just tired; there is something about bathrooms. And no, it's not psychological. Don't go there!
I suspected an environmental agent such as mold or perfume or cleaners. (See the earlier section on the environment.) But as the title of this section suggests, I was mistaken. It took nearly a year to figure it out, but it's obvious in retrospect. Mirrors magnify his hyperactivity. As he watches his reflection, a positive feedback loop ensues, and within seconds he loses all control. We covered the bathroom mirror with blank newsprint, and bedtime became much easier.
Now that I know what to look for, I'm amazed I didn't see it before. He is drawn to mirrors like a magnet. They don't usually drive him crazy, but he's always looking. If there isn't a mirror nearby, he'll look into a window, or even my wife's glasses - anything to catch his reflection. If there is any hyperactivity present, the visual feedback will magnify it ten fold. I asked his teacher to move him to a different desk at school, so he cannot see himself in the small mirror over the classroom sink. She thinks we're nuts, but hey, what else is new?
If you have an ADHD child, I recommend covering or removing any mirrors in the child's bathroom and bedroom. You might consider doing the same for the common rooms of your house. Don't forget to pull the shades at night, so he doesn't see himself in the windows. These steps might not help, but like a healthier diet, they can't do any harm.