My 7 year old son been diagnosed with A.D.H.D.?

Question

My beautifull 7 year old son has just been diagnosed with A.D.H.D through a range of tests such as I.Q and ect. The professor at the children's hospital really recommended a dose of Ritalin in the morning to help my son stay focused at school as he does have learning difficulties such as handwritting, reading, attention and ect... My hubby wants to give it a go for a few days just to try , however i feel scared. My main concern was addiction, however doctor reassured me that this stimulant wasn't addictive. He said to look at the drug as being a tutor. Do you think i should try it for a few days?. Doctor said to call him direct during these days for feedback. If we do go ahead, do you think i should tell family and friends or just keep it to ourselves ? Families are already starting " Don't give him this, and do more with him and ect... Yet they are the first to scream at him when he does something like climbing a tree which he loves to do . Opinions from parents and professionals

Answer 1

I dont have any kids, but i have seen articles about NOT using drugs, and that many kids are diagnosed wrong. Here is a link to someone who definately is against ritalin.  good luck! I had a girlfriend with a girl on adderal. It put her in a "moping around " mood. I would try keeping excess sugar foods (soda) out of the diet, and get plenty of excercise to run off the energy, not just watching TV and video games. I grew up on a farm and we worked since 5yrs old and ran around all day.... it works!

http://www.michaelsavage.com/savage-stor...

Answer 2

Somethings to consider

Is your son functioning (passing) without drugs?

Does he feel like he can't control himself?  In extreme cases of ADHD the kid may feel almost possessed.

If he is comfortable in his skin and doing reasonably well at school don't dope him up.

Ritilin is not addictive, but it is a real drug.  It has a whole slew of side effects:  loss of appitite, stunted growth, etc.  Sometimes, it is the lesser of two evils, but it isn't candy.

Before you put him on a drug try Passion flower tea or flaxseed oil.  They have some properties that sometimes help.  If they do not work, consider the drug or even try your husband's suggestion of a trial.

Don't tell anyone until you are sure of your decision.  Reason is, whatever your decision is you will have to defend it to a whole bunch of self taught experts (mother in laws, friends, family, teachers, etc).  Half of whom will be violently antidrug and half as violently prodrug.  So that either way you get an earful.  If you aren't sure of your decision it will just confuse you.

Answer 3

Yikes!!! this is a time when the parenting questions become like the atheists & christians lol.My daughter has ADHD.She got it from us, her parents.Being a little nutty myself,I understood the importance of her needing it for school.I had no friends, &pretty much slept my way thru school.But like you, it scared me, plus I loved her energy,just the way she was!.So, I medicate her only for school, which is 180 days out of the year. She says "it takes some of her happiness away".But I have watched her go to being an honor role students as well as being "Gifted", she is in advanced classes.She now has friends.She is on Concerta,I trust these types of medications-they have been aroung a long time.I do not trust anything that works on the brain, because of some bad expriences I`ve had.I have 2 nephews, who are also ADHD, ones 1 yr older than my daughter.My family did not like any of my methods of parenting.  ex-I let her get away with too much-I did`nt disipline good enough, well now that y nephews  are failing grades, have no self-esteem,bad behaviors, They are now considering medicine.My daughter has been on it for almost 4 yrs.BUT, it isn`t all medicine, cause that`s just for school.I keep her ACTIVE!!It is work having a child like this!She is a GREAT kid though, sweet, compassionate.Good Luck

Answer 4

Don't do the drugs. Those things can be toxic to a child's body. My cousin ended up having a liver transplant at age 11 because of Ritilin. He turned 30 this year and is still sickly. I doubt he will live past his mid 40's. There are diet changes that can and DO work better. Check out the Feingold diet.

Answer 5

Your child will grow out of this.  He doesnt need meds.

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child.  I just graduated colllage with honors.  I work as a Registered Nurse.  He will be fine.

Answer 6

Please check this link. Very important.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080224/hl_...

No child should take Ritalin. You are right to resit it.

Answer 7

Hi again,

Just hang i there and give it a try. I am going through the same thing and we discussed it before. Ritalin was not my favorite so I took my son off of it with the doctors permission of course.

I am gonna try adderall, it is an amphetamine, a central nervous system stimulant. What it does is increases attention span in adhd children. All these meds are trial and error we just have to find the right one for them. Don't listen to other people who haven't gone through this or who isn't experienced in this. Our children have to learn and if they need a little help in doing so then so be it, It will only help them in the long run and build up their confidence. Just email me if you need to talk.

Answer 8

While it is ultimately your decision, there are many ADHD children who are much happier on their meds.  Of course meds should be the last option that you try...why medicate if it can be controlled through other interventions or accommodations.  People are too quick to say that teachers want a perfect child, who sits in their seat, etc., etc..  The fact of the matter is that teachers want happy children who are doing their best.  even with accommodations made within the classroom, there are some kids that continue to struggle academically due to ADHD.  As they get older, children with uncontrolled ADHD struggle with their relationships with their peers, are more likely to abuse drugs, are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, are more likely to drop out of high school...  Do not wait for your child to "outgrow" ADHD, the time to intervene is now...see what works for your child.

Answer 9

The drug in Ritilan and ADDerall and concerta either help people focus or gets them high. Give it a few days. If he starts to focus than he won't get addicted. but in order for it to work he must take it every day at the same time and don't skip a dosage. and it might take about a week or two so give it time.

Answer 10

We're not the doctors. I would listen to your doctors, but get more information too. There are a few drugs out there such as Concerta and Adderall to try if the Ritalin doesn't work for your son.

If I were you, I would have him try Ritalin for a few days and see if it helps. All you want as a parent is to give your little boy all the opportunities he should have - if he's struggling, help him!

I think you should tell his teacher about the Ritalin, but there's no need to share it with anyone else. You don't want your son singled out.

Answer 11

ADHD is a medical problem that exhibits itself with poor impulse control and inabiltiy to focus.  It can be treated with medication.  Sometimes people don't see it as a medical issue.  If he had asthma, you would give him medicine to help him breath.  It's the same thing.  Medication will help him to focus control his impulses.  I see a remarkable difference in kids when they take the meds.  Medication helps.  The medicines for ADHD are not sedatives as a lot of people think.  Your son will not be sedated but he will be able to function in the classroom with a clear head.

I know people will advise you against it but unless they are living in your shoes, they really don't know what they are talking about.  I think you should give it a try and see how he does. I think you will be pleased with the results.  I'd advise starting with a LOW dose and adjust UP if needed rather than a high dose and go down.  

The dangers of NOT treating for ADHD is almost scarier than treating.  Kids who get into trouble at school will hang out with other kids who get into trouble at school.  The older they get, the bigger trouble they can get into.  Think about junior high and high school.  Think about driving, dating, parties--without impulse control.  

You (and your husband) don't have to answer to anyone.  YOU have to make the best decisions that you can make for your son.  YOU are the one who is ultimately responsible for his care.

PM me if you need more info.

Answer 12

Hi,I would like to start by saying, I know what you are going through. My now 9year old son has been on medication for 3 years (concerta 27mg) he is doing wonderful he is playing with other kids and he is no zombie. He is very active while on the meds,he sees a therapist once a month.It was very hard on me as a parent esp. in the begining because the first pill they gave him didnt agree with him.but now i am so greatful that I did what i had to do.You do whats right for you and your son and forget everyone else around you.People will talk no matter what so put all focus on him right now .The biggest mistake you as a mom can do is to do nothing at all.

Answer 13

Please don't put your son on ritalin.

Our son has the same 'diagnosis', and i believe it can help some kids, and maybe it can help your kid. But we chose to change schools, get him into a special support class with all the help he needs, to see how that would go first.

The change in him was amazing. With finally the right school, the right support, and some positive reinforcement at home, he's a happy little boy again.

The ritalin script got ripped up, and we will never contemplate medicating our son again, certainly not for learning difficulties.

I firmly believe that if the child is getting the support at school they need, then they feel less anxious and less agitated, therefore, they will display less symptoms of this adhd.

Please, think carefully before dosing up your little boy, he's just a little kid who needs some sort of extra help, and i hope you can work something out with the school before turning to meds.

Good luck

Mother of 9yr old angel

xo

(ps: to school nurse: i am living it, haved lived it for over 5 years, and i still don't think medication is the only answer for these kids)

Answer 14

I think the trial thing is a good idea.  Make sure that Ritalin is the best drug for him.  There are some other drugs that might work better.  Do some research.

Answer 15

every hyper unfocused kid is diagnosed w/ ADHD. just let him grow up. Just b/c the teachers want a perfect calm kid in there class doesn't mean you have to put your kid on medicine. I believe there really is such thing as ADHD but i'd wait it out. Most kids calm down as they get older. My brother is 10 and very hyper. Always climbing things and can't stay still, but i wouldn't suggest putting him on medicine. Just let them be kids. Especially since he's a boy. There suppossed to be hyper.

Answer 16

Get another opinion..your doctor can only reccoommend it but you are the person that has to make the decision..if he didn't offer any other options and he is highly stuck on the drugs you might have gotten a doctor that thinks drugs are the only way..and you need a second opinon..he is only seven he will have the time to catch up on things in school..good luck..bottom line I wouldn't give it to him right away..it can cause depression and a bunch of other serious side effects if  he is on it a long time..and they can get dependent on it as they get older...so he is lying to you.

Answer 17

DON'T DO THE RETALIN.  Get a second opinion on the meds and refuse that med.  Adderal (not sure on spelling) is accepted more and helps more kids with less side-effects.  I have seen way to many children on Retalin and I won't put my son on it every.  Druging with Retalin will not give the help you need for ADHD.  Looking into other medication options and also make sure he goes to councling to learn ways to gain more control over himself.  There are much better meds out there like Adderal slow release that can be given in the morning before school and last all day at school (lasts for 12 hrs) and then they aren't medicated 24/7 and they don't turn your child into a zombie, i have actually known kids that killed themselves while on Ritalin.

Answer 18

DO NOT GIVE YOUR CHILD DRUGS!!!  I have a neighbor who went throught this with her son and refused to give him drugs.  She did, however, change his behavior by changing his diet; no junk foods and no sweets.