What to do when your child becomes violent,and has adhd?do i take him off his concerta?

Question

Today i got a call from my sons 1st grade teacher, saying that he was chocking a little girl in his class at recess and would not let her go. I am so worried about this, he recently had his medicine dosage uped and i am not sure if this is the reason for the outburst.My son has never been violent before and i am going crazy trying to figure it out. PLEASE HELP ME!! could it be the medicine?..

Answer 1

Hi worryed2, I suggest you take him back to the person who prescribed the meds and discuss it with him. However, eventhough your son is on meds, do take note that it would be good to make sure he eats a well-balanced diet. Studies have shown that nutrient deficiency can cause all sorts of problems too. You can read about adhd diet and vitamins here:

http://www.adhdquestionsandanswers.com/A...

Good luck.

Answer 2

I'm raising my 7 year old Grandson and he has ADHD severely.  He started Concerta when he was 5, then Ridilin, and now he's on Strattera.  The Concerta and the Ridilin made him revert into a hypochondriac, emotional, crying, whaling  wreck by the time afternoon rolled around.   He cried  rolling on the floor over everything little mishap.  I got fed up with the drama after about 10 weeks of it and took him off of it.  He got much better at home in the afternoons but his teacher at school could not  get him to focus.  It helped him the first 5  hours but when it wore off he was a wreck.  These drugs are actually amphetamines and just like a drug addict when the drug wears off they can get cranky and have strange feelings.  Of course the kids don't know why they feel this way but the truth is it's kinda like a withdrawal until they get their next pill the next day.  This is sad and I don't know what to do myself.  He cannot focus at school without the pills but there are consequences for taking the pills.  We switched to Strattera,  the emotional  hypochondria and sadness issues are a little better.  But I know what your going through.  There is a new medication I have heard great things about called VYNASE,  it is time released.  I am going to try this next.

Answer 3

Is there any way to not medicate him? I ask because my husband has adhd and when he was younger the medicine really messed with him. Depending on the medication he would be a zombie, or violent, or see things. It has a different effect on every one, but the best thing to do is teach him how to live with out it. My husband taught him elf to draw when he would start to get over whelmed. He said as long as his hands and mind are doing something hes ok. But yet again, thats a personal thing. I know some kids who have it so bad they can't even sleep with out looking like they are running a marthon. Simple things to work on could be quite time. During the summer have a set amount of time, (start with 10 mins and see how that goes and work up until he can sit for about 30 mins maybe even an hour) and every day from (example) 8-8:10 he has to sit quietly and color in his book, or draw while you clean up after breakfast. If he can't do it don't punish him, but every day make him at least try to there for the amount of time. If he can sit for 10 mins with no problem, then try 15, then 20 work up slowly so he gets used to it. Maybe with the one on one attention of some one make sure he is sitting and coloring,drawing,doing a puzzle, anything he has to focus on and he is moving his hands, he will be able to control himself better. Its hard, but by the end of the summer he should be able to sit and control him self for at least 20-30 mins. with out medication. Also I don't know if you discipline or not, if not i would start. The summer is a great way to teach self control. Every time he acts out he has time out. Now because of his condition the rules are a little more relaxed, he can move (like bouncing, looking around) as long as he doesn't leave the corner. This will teach him to control his actions. Between the two by the end of the summer he should be a little better. If you can try putting him in a sport or actives so he has a way to get rid of all the energy while still playing with other kids any behaving.

Answer 4

I personally am against medicating a child that young. My 7 year old daughter has anger/emotional issues so I know what you are going through. I help my children with the Bible. Also, my daughter has been in counceling for 2 years for these issues but not on meds. So if anything find a therapist in your city. I hope this helps you.

Answer 5

My twin brother had the exact same trouble when he was younger he also took concertahe now takes ridilin. ask the doctor and explain your situation. He may be taking the wrong prescription.

Answer 6

Definitely talk to the doctor about any change in behavior that follows a change in medication. I can't say for sure that it is the meds, but it could be. My brother-in-law just had some severe behavior problems that were attributed to Concerta, so it definitely can have that affect on people. I would call right away. Good luck.

Answer 7

It could be.  I took my son off of Focalin because it made him very aggressive, he wanted to hurt people and break things!  Find out first from your son why he was choking her...then I would be calling the doc.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

I suggest taking him to the doctor and telling the doctor about the incident.  He could be on the wrong medication for him.

Answer 9

time to go back to the specialist. This may not be the right drug for him. Some work on some kids but not on others. As a parent of a child also strangled by a boy with ADHD I ask that you please take him back to the doc