What do you think of medicating a child?

My son has adhd (the worst I have seen so far) and without it he's nuts. We has a mental health service look at him before medicating him and then after. At first they had a ton of appointments booked but after they saw him medicated they were like he's o.k now. I have been told that it's not a good thing and also told it's the best. Right now he's on a higher dose then I would like him on and he need to get a higher dose. Will he be a drug addict later on in life? would you medicate you child ?(he is a normal active after taking his meds not a zombie)What do you think of medicating a child?Getting a proper evaluation is paramount because there are other things that a child could have in conjunction with ADHD, such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders or even depression.... possibly this is why you think his is the WORST case you have seen?



Medications can improve their attention, focus, goal directed behavior and organization skills. ADHD meds work by correcting a biochemical condition in the brain that interferes with attention and impulse control. These medications should only be taken as long as it is helpful and necessary. Often times, ADHD will dissipate over time and the meds will no longer be necessary.



Please make sure your son has been properly evaluated and that his school is doing everything they can for him (IE: repositioning him in the classroom, simplifying complex instructions, providing him with the right tools to help in his daily production, etc).



You can always get a second opinion..................



Good luck.



mbWhat do you think of medicating a child?
My husband has ADHD, and his functioning is like night and day with or without Ritalin. Ritalin is actually a great drug, in that there are very few side effects. Without it, you're just making life harder on your son... he's going to have a harder time socially, scholastically, etc. You'd be doing him a disservice to avoid the meds, it sounds like.



(And no, he won't be a drug addict because of his medication-- BUT it is common for untreated ADHD people to "self-medicate" with illegal drugs and alcohol because they're having such a hard time in life... consider that.)What do you think of medicating a child?i do not agree with medicating a child, but i do not know your child, so i really cannot say, what i would say is if you feel in your gut the dosage is too high tell the doctor and insist on it not being raised and put on the amount you are comfortable with, you are with your child a lot longer then the doctor, you are mom, trust yourself, and be insistent about it
This is always a tough decision. I think that there are some cases where medication is the only answer, but I would try every other option first. Get more opinions from other doctors. See if there is a therapy type session that you can attend with your son to get ideas that can help him and help you help him.

I saw a situation like this on one of those nanny shows, the boy was impossible. The nanny was very calm and was instructing the mother not to scold the child or get frustrated with him. The nanny told the mother to be calm and think positive. (They were tackling homework and the nanny was telling the mom to be happy, try to pep the boy up, kinda like making it a fun game but not to discourage the child by saying things like: "I know this is alot, but..").

Every situation is different, but as a parent you should only do what you are comforatable doing. If you are ok medicating your son, then do so. If not, do not stop until you find a solution that you as a parent are happy with.



Hope this helps..



ChevyWhat do you think of medicating a child?NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The behavior can be controlled by a diet change; NO JUNK FOODS, NO SWEETS AND NO DRUGS!!!!!!!!!

Boys are just naturally more rambunctious and active than girls. Today's teachers have never been taught how to handle them in a class room. The only thing they've been taught is; if a boy does not act permissive, like a girl, then demand the parent have the child drugged. The doctors are more than happy to drug a boy because they receive 'kick backs' from the pharmaceutical companies for every prescription they write. They could care less for the boy's well being - they just want to line their pockets with money and live in fancier homes.

You, as the parent, are responsible for your child's well being.

The education system needs to teach teachers properly and the doctors need to get a life!!!

If I were you, I would immediately toss the drugs, change the diet and if the teacher can't do his/her job properly - then home school your son.What do you think of medicating a child?
There is more of a link between unmanaged ADHD and substance abuse than there is between giving children psychiatric drugs to help them overcome their problems.

One thing to watch out for is to make sure he is still getting counselling or other help and not just depending on the medication. Many people with ADHD can work to need less medication, or even none at all, if they have the support and resources that they need, but it is important to help him learn coping skills young. The medication may help him to learn how to deal with things better so that he can eventually do it on his own. Remember that kids who get too much negative feedback often become withdrawn and do poorly socially and in school, so the medication may help by helping him avoid doing things that will get him in trouble.

It is also important to make sure that he sees the medication as a helpful thing for him, and not just something done for the convenience of the adults in his life. While this seems obvious to most people, you would be surprised how hurtful it can be to someone to be told that they are not a good member of society without a little pill, and how many people with ADHD or other disorders interpret their parents wanting them medicated as that.
My son is ADHD and Bi-Polar and he cant be without his meds.He goes crazy and hurts people and himself.What do you think of medicating a child?
My daughter has ADD with ADHD and she is on concerta. She has been on it since the last part of December and there is a big difference at school. Before she was on it her teachers said that she would stare off to space and just lay her head on her desk but now she is actually doing her class work.
I know what you are going through.My son has OCD and they though he had ADHD as well but he flipped on the ritalin so we dont think he has that.The doctor said if the ritalin worked then it is the med for ADHD.If it is helping your son then the best thing to do is keep him on it.It is hard I know....I have the same fears of my son going on drugs when he is older.The bottom line is...if we help them manage the problems...then they wont go looking for relief somewhere else.Looking after my son has been a challenge.He is always having one problem or another and just failed school.I feel like a failure but I know if he were not on meds...he would not even be able to goto school so I have to cut us both some slack.(He is on Cellexa) I hate not knowing what will come next with him but I just have to take what the doctor tells me and do the best I can.It is not going to be easy for you or me but they are our kids so we have to keep going forward to do what is best for them.If you have to keep changing meds or MG then just keep with it till you find the right combination.I show my son online famous people with OCD and talk to him very positive so he can no that many people have this and overcome it.That is the goal....to have them grow up well adjusted.Good Luck to you.
No, I would try anything and everything before using drugs on a child. There are treatment places that specialize in these things. They are also foods to eliminate and to eat the good foods, fruits and veggies. I have heard way to many bad story's about kids and these drugs.
I have a son with ADHD. He has been on meds for the last year. This is the first year he has made honor roll. He even made straight A's the last two grading periods. I am SO glad he is on the meds!