Adhd question?

Question

At the moment,my daughter scaled back her medication. She still struggles with her concentration, particularly in school, and believes she has ADHD. The symptoms, though, are less pronounced than they used to be and she feels that she's gotten better at dealing with them. She does expect to keep taking medication for the rest of her life. But, these days, she only takes her pills when she feels she needs a little extra focus.

is she doing the right thing to only take them the days she neds the most she a 19 year old in college

Answer 1

She's 19 years old. She's an adult. You may be concerned, but it's her choice and it can't hurt her.

Answer 2

ADHD meds should only be taken in  extreme cases.  Too little research/studies done  on them and if they have been done, its not been on kids.  Gotta read that fine print:0  You're daughter is using the meds as drugs.  They aren't effective for ADHD when taken "here and there".  Its a possibility she uses them as an appetite suppressant??  Go to the website of the actual med, and read info straight from THEM.

Answer 3

I think that this is a question that she needs to discuss with her therapist/physician. If she is getting additional support for the ADHD and learning new compensation skills then it may just work.

Medication levels can be adjusted as well as the type of medication through out a persons life.  If she is doing well then don't worry.

Answer 4

No she is not. Because she may be more impulsive without her meds. Also the details she will miss, she will be oblivious about. I personally can't retain what I learn long term with out meds. For me, it would be a waste at school, to forget all you learn. Maybe she is not so bad, but weather it's OK could be based on how much it negatively effects her. i know people who drink caffeine all day and it just replaces the meds and they are fine.

Answer 5

My son has ADHD and it has always been our understanding that they can take their meds only when they need them if they choose.  The meds that they take don't need them to be weened on and off.  If your daughter is only taking them when she feels she needs them, then she is doing exactly what the drugs were designed for.  At her age, she knows when she needs them as opposed to just using them as a crutch.  

These kids are highly intelligent, as I am sure you know as you are a proud parent of a college student.  I really think that at times they need to take a break here and there from their meds so they can be reassured of the difference they make.  When our son was younger he would go through times where he just didn't want to take his pill.  We would let him go off of them and he would only go a couple days before he would say 'ya, I need to take it'... then through puberty they outgrow some of the symptoms, or at least they aren't as strong.  Then they understand the difference between taking them and not.  

Bottomline is.. your daughter is an adult and we need to let our kids step out on their own at some point.  With kids who take meds, that is even more important.  They need to realize that they are in control and need to do the right thing.  If for your daughter that is to only take it as needed, then so be it.  She will do fine.  I don't know about your daughter, but my son has difficulty with his stomach hurting, or feeling quesy... so sometimes the break is needed.  But then he knows he needs it and one problem outweighs the other and he takes his meds.

Have faith in your daughter... she sounds like she is doing great.  The thing you have on your side is that like I said, these kids are highly intelligent.  That helps with that decision making process, lol.

I hope this helped a little.  Good Luck!

Answer 6

If they are becomming less prenounced (sp?) and she thinks she can handle the symptoms, let her. She is 19. I would monitor her though, make sure she does her work and assignments, and maintain a good GPA. If she can't do that, I would have her take the meds daily. Plus, I would speak to her Dr about going on and off the meds so often, with some, that is not a healthy decision.

I am nearly 19, I can barely handle my symptoms. They are just as bad as when I was diagnosed ten years ago. I have to take the pills daily, along with using little tricks to help me. And reminders from teachers and my parents.

Answer 7

did u no i have adhd for real and i take meds to calm me down

Answer 8

Noelle D -

As a professional who works with children diagnosed with ADHD, and their parents, I can tell you that "taking medication when you need it" is the old belief for treating ADHD.

If your daughter truly has ADHD, then medication should be necessary each and every day.  If there are times when she does not need the medication, then I would question whether or not it is really ADHD that she struggles with the most.

True ADHD persists across time and situation.  Of course there can be situations that are more difficult for your daughter, but medication would be needed all the time (if in fact it is necessary and if in fact it is ADHD).

There are many medical illnesses, psychological problems, and stressors in life that can certainly mimic the symptoms of ADHD.  I would highly suggest that she speak with a physician or therapist to discuss this matter further.

Hope this helps...

Rory

http://www.theADHDparentsmovie.com

Answer 9

If she is on one of the traditional stimulants, this is not a problem.  If its another type of med, you'll need to ask a doc.  Some of the less traditional meds used for ADHD may present problems if you take them in an irregular fashion.

And as long as she's finding ways to cope with her symptoms and fine with her plan, it sounds like a good one to me.  It sounds like she's utilizing resources outside of meds alone to help herself.  That's creative and resourceful - good things!

Answer 10

Life's challenges are not even.  There are times when you are in the groove and everything is falling into place and you are just cruising.  I can see that as a time when she really wouldn't need the pills and other times like finals and such where she might need them a little more.

Just like the other poster said, if it is the stimulant class of meds then they are take as needed.

I think it is good to take a step back every now and then and see if you have developed some coping skills or to try to develop some coping skills.

Adderall/Ritalin sharing at college is not unheard of.  Make sure this isn't because she is out of pills but is still getting her 30 day supply every month.  College is when I think you would want the meds every day.

But as much as the drugs help me, I am all about the least amount of chemicals that it takes to get the job done.

Answer 11

No, she should be taking her medication regularly. If she only takes the medication when she thinks she needs it, it will be unbalanced in her system.

If you want full results, you should take the medication regularly because the buildup of the medicine will have higher results than on/off/on/off.

Good luck,

JL

Answer 12

To my understanding that should be fine.  My son's Dr told us that if he is going to be in a situation where he can run off his energy in a safe enviroment, without having to focus, he doesn't need to take the meds.  If she is old enough to recognize when she needs the help of the meds be glad.  The boys Dr told me that some people with adhd are able to organize themselves enough to be able to get through college classes without an issue.

Answer 13

I went through that a few years ago, when I was about her age. People who have ADHD learn to control themselves and cope and adapt as they get older, thats part of growing up, she may have coping mechanisms for some activities but others are still daunting. I could sit in lectures and be in social situations and learn and act fine with no meds, but I cant read more than a couple sentances at a time when I am not medicated. my sacond year in college I decided I didnt want to be on meds for the rest of my life, and bought into the idea that ADHD is nothing but a blessing in disguise, and the more I struggle, the stronger and smarter I will be for it. (Thats bull by the way, struggling has made me stronger and more creative, but being idealistic and macho about it is not facing it properly) I decided I would get short acting tablets that I could take when I needed it. My doctor was in on it and prescribed it accordingly. But it lead, for me, to abusing the medication. My studies went so much slower that when it came to 'crunch time' I had a lot to make up for. It lead to three to four day 'study binges' where I would take the meds continually for severaly days in order to write papers and study before tests. during these times I could not eat because most of the meds, your body needs to get used to to diminish the side affects, or sleep, because my body never came down off them. I have gone more that four days without sleep before, not healthy. it wasnt the healthy control I had aimed for. My grades slipped and my frustration with myself made me feel depressed at times. I also self medicated with caffine and alcohol.

After three years, I have only recently started daily meds again. I am now in my last semester of college, and am able to keep up so much better in school, internship projects and perform my duties at work.

that is an extreme example, taking the meds only when you feel like you need it is not in itself wrong, but the ADHD is always present, and the meds will help all the time, even if she can manage without them at times. As well, the stimulant meds are harsh on your body, and taking them once in a while makes the side effects and consequneces worse, and the non stimulants just make a big difference beyond the placebo effect when taken once in a while.

She is an adult and has to make this descision herself, but it has to be a commitment, especially if her ADHD is severe like mine. it is critical to make a commitment to manage ADHD, whether with meds or not. the commitment means that she will find what works.