DRUGGING OUR VERY YOUNG children | ADHD Information

[QUOTE=cheekydeeky]

[QUOTE=2004]You're dumbfounded because there's so much you don't know and don't understand, and it's obvious by your attitude towards a proven neurological disorder. Your beliefs and attitudes toward your child with this disorder tell me you have done nothing to become more knowledged about it and you have held onto beliefs you had before he was diagnosed.[/QUOTE]

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Cheekydeeky you are quite cheeky. For your information (Cheeky), I am currently researching neurological disorder in very young children....I do know what I am talking about. Did you read my posting.. Let me reiterate for the last time.. this is what I said in my earlier postings:

"In some cases medication can help a youngster with severe and persistent behavioral and emotional disorders. Failure to treat mental illness in young children can have serious, lifelong consequences. BUT THE DIFFICULTY LIES IN ACCURATELY DIAGNOSING disorders in the VERY YOUNG and determining when medication is appropriate. In some cases medication can help a YOUNG CHILD with severe and persistent behavioral and emotional disorders".

I have seen young children die from these drugs -- if parents had taken the time to educate b4 they medicate....and I have seen young children who have benefited from it as well... It appears that you are so sold(by some doctors) on drugging our young children you refuses to comprehend my point.... Sometimes parents, drugs are not the ONLY answer.

I assume that some of you parents are not ADD/ADHD ...because some of you refuse to be broad-minded.

The bottom line is what will work for one child will not or may not work for the other... It is imperative that we EDUCATE B4 we MEDICATE... Our children will be glad that we did.

We are very fortunate to be living in the 21st century and as result technology/and new information are changing everyday. There are always new information - - if you seek you will find it....I implore upon you and parents (like you) to keep an open-mind.

There will NEVER be a dull moment parenting children with ADHD.

However, I will leave you with a few quotes:

"Think of an absentminded professor who can find a cure for cancer but not his glasses in the mess on his desk. These are the inventors, creators, poets -- the people who think creative thoughts because they don't think like everyone else." - Martha Denckla, M.D., Director of the Department of Developmental Cognitive Neurology at the Kennedy-Drieger Institute at John Hopkins.

"The same right-brained children who are being labeled and shamed in our schools are the very individuals who have the skills necessary to lead us into the twenty-first century. These children process visually and randomly, and think holistically. They are intuitive problem solvers who get the big picture. They thrive on visual imagery and stimulation; these "attention deficit" kids can spend hours with computer and CD-ROM programs that mirror their thought processes. It's no wonder they are attracted to computers. The use of computers is congruent with the way right-brained children think." - Jeffrey Freed and Laurie Parsons

"I think Ritalin and other psychoactive drugs for our young children will remain popular in this country until the values of our society change. There is an intolerance of temperamental diversity currently, yet it is that very diversity that has made our culture rich and worthy."

200438190.366712963

2004

I would like to make sure that I understand what you have been saying. From reading your posts I understand that:

1. You believe that ADHD is not a biological/medical issue like Asthma or Diabetes.

2. You believe that with behavior therapy that ADHD can be cured

3. You believe that meds should be reserved only for those children so out of control that they would be institutionalized without them.

4. You believe that ADHD is an american disease, and that children in other countries and cultures do fine in life without this diagnosis.

5. You believe that Young Children should not be given medications for a neurological disorder until they have spent a considerable amount of time on behavioral therapies and unspecified natural treatment

6. You believe that medicine does not correct the problem of ADHD but rather masks the problems.

7. You believe that medication even if at the correct dosage and type causes changes in personality and ability and will in the long run keep the child from becoming all that he/she could be.

8. You believe that you are 'just perfect'

9. You believe that people who do not have ADHD are narrow minded

10. You believe that in this thread you have passed some critical information and provided some useful suggestions.

If you would please be so good as to verify whether I am correct in interpreting your comments it would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Elizabeth

LadyBentley38190.8786689815

take it easy lady bentley, I personally don't believe the list you posted, I simply worry that either choice, may be the wrong one, and I worry about what the meds will do long term.

no need to throw blows, some of us are just anxious about using chemicals in our bodies, or our childrens. I personally won't even take a tylenol unless I am in a great deal of pain.

My intent is to encourage others, and to be encouraged. This is what I thought this forum was for.

If I want to be criticised, I can go to a chat room.

I think meds helped my child in some ways, but, I also worried about the side effects, and long term ones. Right now, we are about to start a new treatment plan with a new doctor, and i am nervous about new meds, the side effects of all these stimulants and non stimulants are alarming. I only wish we could find a solution that did not create a problem of its own.

Psalm 19: 14

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

I think it is very important for us to share our views, and even vent a little sometimes, but we should deffinately remember that we all have a responsibility to be careful of how we say what we say.

I was very happy to find that there was such a place to find good advice and information about ADHD, because until now, I have felt quite alone at times, in my son's problems, but I hear the same desperate feelings from other parents here, and realize, that it it's not just me.

My son is often excluded from things that my other children are not excluded from. That makes me most of the time, but many times he excludes himself also. Even his siblings exclude him at times. As his mother, I feel sad and angry that he is left out, but I find that it is not uncommon that children with ADHD are excluded, because other people don't know what to so with thier behavior.

All in all though, I believe that this is a very productive place to come, as a parent of an ADHD child.

2004 - I don't think anybody disagrees with you about educating themselves before medicating their children.

The very fact that we have searched the web and are involved in this forum, and probably other discussion groups as well, should indicate that we are looking at multiple options and are trying to be open minded. Being open minded means that we look at homeopathy, biofeedback, chiropractic, kinesiology, diet, supplements, behavioral, medical alternatives, etc. Heck, I would stand on my head and spit olives at a snake if I thought it would help my child to be more successful and happier.

One of the best things about this forum is that we agree not to pass judgement on each others choices. It is very difficult to make the wrenching decision to medicate our kids and often, it is in the face of judgemental family and friends. It's great to come here and talk about what we are doing, how it is/isn't working, and learn about new options we haven't heard about. Also, I like seeing what strategies others are using with success when dealing with the various issues our kids might have.

It's all about support. Please include yourself in receiving and giving support from/to other parents who love their children with a passion.

[QUOTE=krobb]

2004 - I don't think anybody disagrees with you about educating themselves before medicating their children.

It's all about support. Please include yourself in receiving and giving support from/to other parents who love their children with a passion.

[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your response....As a mother with a child with ADHD.. I am only passing information and providing suggestions. I believe that I am being attacked... however, I do not take it personally, I understand the emotions. I thought that the purpose of this message board is to provide information and/or suggestions. I only hope that....we will find the cause for this disorder for our children.... If I/we do not in my/our lifetime... who knows, my son MAY. 200438190.3780092593

Well said krobb, this site is about supporting one another not judging one another. I couldn't agree more with that comment

Our son Cam was diagnosed by one ped. two yrs ago and we were asked to try Ritalin.....I never did...it broke my heart to think of giving our son medication. But if I could turn the clock back two years.....I would have started it then. We have since gotten another opinion from another ped. and had him tested at the end of this school year by the school's pysc. Cam has ADHD and ODD along with depression and anxieties. Our family's last two years have been awful...and Cam has gone through so much. He has been on Ritalin for a little over two months now and Zoloft for about a week now to lift his depression and anxieties. We have noticed a significant change in him. Even though we still go through some rages with him, they are nothing like they were. In our case Cam needed this medication to help him.....and I know now if we didn't give him something to help him, things would just have gotten so much worse. This is just my opinion. I know it takes special parents to have children like ours because it can be so difficult at times.....but I look at Cam playing soccer now and running after the ball and laughing ( which last yr he quit because he just stood there and didn't want to join in) and it brings tears to my eyes, I think we are on the right path now after years of not knowing what to do. Cam's mom.

Hey I think that all parents worry about the choices we make where our kids are concerned, whether it is medications, or braces, or what to wear in public. We all have a huge responsibility. I think that we just need to get as much information as we can and then do the best we can. WE all do that.

[QUOTE=2004]Cheekydeeky... did you read my email?... .. how old are you?... I hope you are not a parent with child(ren) with ADHD... Your analogy of comparing a temporary situation with a permanent situation … is scary and you ought to go back and read my messages…. this is what you said "Children are subjected to chemotherapy, surgery (which involves sedative medication)"... I am dumbfounded. I suggest you read my messages again… YOU HAVE TOTALLY MISSED THE POINT.[/QUOTE]

I'm afraid, 2004, you have missed MY point. I'm comparing medical treatments to one another to make a point that your logic is off. You're dumbfounded because there's so much you don't know and don't understand, and it's obvious by your attitude towards a proven neurological disorder. Your beliefs and attitudes toward your child with this disorder tell me you have done nothing to become more knowledged about it and you have held onto beliefs you had before he was diagnosed. Whether I have an ADHD child or not is irrelevant and we can just agree to disagree.

cheekydeeky38189.7105208333

I think you need more information on ADHD. It is a neurological disorder, an actual physical disorder, which is why people benefit from medication. As for YOUNG children on medication, lots of YOUNG children are given medication for all kinds of things and they usually benefit from it. Children are subjected to chemotherapy, surgery (which involves sedative medication) and many other things and their bodies are perfectly capable of handling it.

I'm glad your son benefitted from your chosen treatment but understand that not all ADHD people can benefit from natural treatment.

C'mon - meowwwww, hisssssss claws out everywhere - I am sorry I ever got involved in this one - I take back any negative thing I said and hope that this whole discussion gets deleted - it is just bitchy now. Rae7038192.1420138889

i agree rae70!!

stop all this. no one is helped by angry retorts. what's to be gained or learned? venting anger AT each other is not what this forum is for and it makes this forum look bad!

get a punching bag if you need to!

hey rae70 i like what you have to say, but have a hard time reading the neon green your text is in! maybe it's my eyes?

kppy

LadyBentley
What I do believe .... you should take a "reading comprehension course".... then re-read my postings. 200438191.2816435185[QUOTE=Beena]

take it easy lady bentley, I personally don't believe the list you posted, I simply worry that either choice, may be the wrong one, and I worry about what the meds will do long term.

no need to throw blows, some of us are just anxious about using chemicals in our bodies, or our childrens. I personally won't even take a tylenol unless I am in a great deal of pain.

My intent is to encourage others, and to be encouraged. This is what I thought this forum was for.

If I want to be criticised, I can go to a chat room.

[/QUOTE]

My post to 2004 was meant only as an attempt to better understand her earlier posts. I simply listed what I THOUGHT she was saying and asked for clarification. My post was not at all intended to interperet the other posters on this board. I wanted to understand better exacty where 2004 is coming from so that perhaps we can have a civil discussion. I look forward to her reply. I apologize if I have somehow made you feel threatened. It was not my intention to 'throw a blow' in your direction at all.

[QUOTE=2004]LadyBentley
What I do believe .... you should take a "reading comprehension course".... then re-read my postings. [/QUOTE]

Well I can see that my wait for a response was limited. 2004, why have you dismissed a post that I worked so long on? I tried very hard to put into a readable format exactly what I had comprehended so that you could correct me if there were any errors - instead you have dismissed me and insulted my intelligence. Is this the sort of behavioral therapy you use with your ADHD child?

I also would like to see some of 2004 posts clarified, as I understood them the same way as ladyBentley. I am a adhd adult and turned out just fine, so I am not "narrow minded" and my daughter is 7 1/2 with adhd. So I would like to see 2004 clarify things also. I beleive that I tried that before and it never happened

I have tried the natural way (and it didn't work my daughternearly failed a grade becuase of it) now she is back on the meds and is a B/B+ student. So I clearly see the benefits to meds in the proper dose with the proper supervision of them.

Leanne

LadyBentley: I am offended that you have attacked my ADHD child. PLEASE DO NOT use your implusivity to do so. Attack me if you will, DO NOT, attack my child.

200438191.3862037037

Lady B.......I understood very clearly that your post was about 2004 providing clarification. Providing clarification however could only be done through providing documented evidence that such statements are factual. Otherwise, it is not information but rather just an opinion. Every one has their beliefs but I have a problem when a person believes their beliefs are superior to others. 2004.....if your believe your opinions are factual, please provide us with the research that indicates conclusive evidence and also how many years of experience you have with regard to dealing with ADHD issues? You do state that you were just passing information and providing suggestions and that you are being attacked. You are not being attacked but rather questioned in terms of the validity of your information.

[QUOTE=2004]LadyBentley: I am offended that you have attacked my ADHD child. PLEASE DO NOT use your implusivity to do so. Attack me if you will, DO NOT, attack my child.

[/QUOTE]

I have attacked no one.

2004, I am so happy that you found a way to help your ADHD child without using medication! Good for you:) There are quite a few parents on this board that have gone the natural way with wonderful results. The difference between them and yourself is they didn't try to make the rest of us feel like bad parents because we chose another route in handling our children...even if you didn't do it intentionally, that is how it came off.
Everyone that comes to this board is very concerned about their children or grandchildren.
Many of us would love to use a natural supplement to help our ADHD children, but there are many risks with them as well. For some of us... the risk is to great.
Maybe asking us why we chose to medicate our children first would have been a better idea;)

Good luck and stop being so judgmental!!

Cindy38191.783587963

Sometimes the truth hurts and every now and then we need to hear the truth

The truth sure does hurt but the truth lies within long term, documented, medical and scientific studies, not opinions of what one thinks truth is and/or what method of treatment has worked best for a child on long term basis whether the treatment be alternatives or otherwise. However, if you read through these message boards, every parent here is researching the best possible treatment plan for their child and/or have found a treatment plan that is working for their child and wants to share their experiences in the spirit of support. However, if your intent was to warn parents, thanks for your input and good luck to you and your child

Rae70.. who knows, I may very well have ADD.. I can tell you this for sure... my parents back in the day.. did not and probably was not aware of drugging me as a young child... I TURNED OUT JUST PERFECT.

Barb like you clearly stated, "....I[you] believe that you just wanted to warn people that there may be answers other than meds out there....."

Sometimes the truth hurts and every now and then we need to hear the truth.

Good luck to all you parents raising children (drugged or not drugged) with ADD/ADHD is NOT an EASY JOB... it is parenting on a different level and certainly your life will never be boring. It certainly takes very special parents to raise children with ADD/ADHD.
200438188.4153703704Well put Barb. Also understand that there are many types of ADHD so different solutions will work for different kids. Also, it is well documented that childen not treated adaquately for ADHD are at higher risk for substance abuse, depression,etc. because of low self esteem, secondary to repeated frustration. For most children with ADHD medication is the best hope for a normal life. Don't catagorize all ADHD children the same.Cheekydeeky... did you read my email?... .. how old are you?... I hope you are not a parent with child(ren) with ADHD... Your analogy of comparing a temporary situation with a permanent situation … is scary and you ought to go back and read my messages…. this is what you said "Children are subjected to chemotherapy, surgery (which involves sedative medication)"... I am dumbfounded. I suggest you read my messages again… YOU HAVE TOTALLY MISSED THE POINT.200438189.3262152778

First off, thank you, Mehayibiza, for changing the subject! Hallelujah! ahahahh

My son, who's now 12, was prescribed Risperdal at one point....we don't use it any more, and I cannot remember now why, but csmommy (who's usually full of good advice!) gave you some really good info/links. Definitely keep those links noted somewhere so you can refer to then again in the future should you need them. Sounds like your dr is very quick to help, a good quality in a doc if I ever saw one!

Also, though I'm no expert (not many of us here are!), I do know that along with adhd that some children will experience various, what are they called..."co-morbitities".....depression, anger, etc. Not all kids will be affected by adhd in the same way, is it possible that your dr saw something "else" in your child, and that's the reason why the risperdal was prescribed? Just asking. It does seem odd that risperdal is the "only suitable medication on license" in all of Spain....are you sure this is the case, and not just what that particular doctor WANTED you to think? Again, just curious.

Please, keep us posted, as stated before, I don't think many of us here have all the answers, I, personally, am just trying to glean as much info as I can from everyone else so as to help me make intelligent decisions for my own children.

Good luck, I'll keep you in my prayers!

Adios,

I am extremely saddened by the way how doctors are so quick to prescribed so many drugs to YOUNG children. I am in agreement with the woman who classified ADHD as an "american disease". I am not saying that ADHD does not exist.. however, doctors are to think seriously when prescribing drugs to YOUNG children. I have a 6 year old who has been diagnosed with ADHD.. I have gone the natural way and with behaviorial intervention..he is doing extremely well... so far no complaints from sports camp. Parents I urge all of you to think before giving your YOUNG children drugs...200438184.3638425926

If your child had asthma would you avoid medical responses? Would you deny your child glasses if he could not see well?

ADHD is a very real neurological condition which CAN be seen when brain scans are performed. The best part is that it can also be corrected through medical intervention.

Elizabeth

My son has ADHD...... I am only concern as a parent the dosage of medication that doctors are prescribing for very YOUNG children....I am not a doctor but common sense tells me prescribing 80mg of any drug for a very YOUNG child is certainly not good.... we are quick in this country to medicate. PLEASE REMEMBER MEDICATION DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.. IT ONLY MASKS the problem.

p.s. I am not against medication.

Parents I urge all of you to think before giving your YOUNG children drugs...

Do you really think that the parents that come to this support board who chose to medicate their children don't think before making these decisions? Before speaking, know your subject. My son was once 6 but now hes 17. I chose to do a multimodal approach in terms of treating my sons ADHD which included medication, behavoir modification and special accomodations in school. After going through the journey of dealing with ADHD issues for 11 years, I can proudly say that I made the best decision for my child as he is going off to college in the fall on a scholarship but yet.....you urge parents coming here to think before giving their child drugs? I urge you to do good research before giving advice and implying that parents that medicate are irresponsible. I dont knock any parent that choses not to medicate as they know whats best for their child. Any soruce of information about interventions and treatment plans whether it be, articles, the media, talk shows, information on the internet, etc that knock medication in order to give their alternative strategies credibility means that the alternative cant stand on its own merit. Again, I am not debating the issue of medication verses non medication but education through accurate information is the key to making the best decision possible for your child. You state that your child was diagnosed with ADHD so perhaps you might find the link below very informative.

Assessing Complementary and/or Controversial Interventions - CHADD Fact Sheet #6

Thanks Elizabeth for your reply. Every one of us has gone thru the debate whether or not to medicate our kids. Do not pass judgement on others when you have no idea what we have gone thru. By the way what do you consider the "natural way" are you giving your child supplements? Then you are also medicating.As a teacher, and mother of son WHO has adhd, i took the news extremely well when his teachers noticed hoe he couldn't concentrate, or sit still, and wanted him to see the Dr., this was and a half years ago. He needs the medicine, and of course i questioned it, but i didn't want to see him suffer if i chose not to medicate, what i have instead , a son when on meds, can do anything he wants, and control himself, he's an all star athlete, in three sports, and has over 19 trophies, he does OK in school with the help of his iep, but school isn't his thing, and he's a sweet kid. off meds. it's a different story, he tears the house apart, bothers his pets, and just does what he wants without thinking. You can choose to do what bests for your child, but in the end i know mine will be fine, heck i have add, and i turned out fine.

I also had my daughter diagnosed and on meds when she was 4 1/5 (she started school early and was having problems concentrating). Now at 7 1/2 she is still struggling with one class but everything else she has straigt A's in. I am a beleiver in the meds now, at one time I wouldn't do it and the only one I hurt was her as she feel behind and was being teased at school.

When you say YOUNG child how old are you talking and what is thier weight? My 9 year old is 105 lbs and almost 5 feet tall, so she would need much more medication than my youngest child. If your doctor has prescribed 80mg to a 4 year old, I would be getting a new doctor or a second opinion. If your child is 14 that might be the norm.....Please explain what you are trying to ask a bit clearer so some of us here might be able to help you with that question

Leanne

Parents: you all are quite defensive....read my words, I am not against taking medication.... I have a young child who has ADHD...I simply saying educate b4 medicate. USE MEDICATION AS A LAST RESORT.

In some cases medication can help a youngster with severe and persistent behavioral and emotional disorders. Failure to treat mental illness in young children can have serious, lifelong consequences. BUT THE DIFFICULTY LIES IN ACCURATELY DIAGNOSING disorders in the VERY YOUNG and determining when medication is appropriate, along with counseling and other non-drug therapies, and when drug therapy is unnecessary. In some cases medication can help a YOUNG CHILD with severe and persistent behavioral and emotional disorders. There is scant information about the appropriate dosage, effectiveness and long-term effects of psychiatric drugs on the physical and brain development of VERY YOUNG children (2 - 8 years-old)

There is so much negative information out there promoted by groups like Chadd and endorsed by the medical establishment that it is very difficult for people to hear other points of view.

. CHADD seems to endorse this sort of attitude. The bottom line is that the child learns he is not responsible for his own behavior, and that's a pretty scary thought to the rest of us. Think before DRUGING our young children. EDUCATE, EDUCATE, before MEDICATE

200438184.3653819444

I think I can speak for all of us on here who have younger children on meds. (5-9) when I say that we do educate our children. We have all discussed it many many times on the best way to explain to these little people what thier medical problems are and how to try to eal with it, we also have to deal with other siblings in the family.

I for one can tell you that my husband (her step dad) and I have gone for approx 25 hours of training on dealing with adhd kids, we have taken her with us, we have family meetings and spend an enormous amount of time as a family to promote positive behvaiours. She is also (at 7 1/2) aware of her behaviour and KNOWS when she is getting out of hand and needs to go to her room and take a break. THAT COMES FROM POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT THAT SHE IS NORMAL and nnot from the meds. It takes a lot of love and patience not a lot of finger poiinting

Sorry evreyone else if I sound a little "miffed" on this subject, but since this is the ATTITUDE my family members gave I am a bit touchy on thissubject

I think that parents need to make decisions based on their child. Every child is different and we cannot assume what is good for one is good for another. Everything we take in is either a food or a drug. If parents choose supplements or natural ways and it works that is great, but these are also drugs and many are not monitored by the FDA.

I am new to the site, but I can tell from reading most of the postings that parents take medication seriously and I know that we have all spent sleepless nights wondering and pondering what is the best decision for our children. Please offer support and understanding

2004,

When you said "mental illness", I got the impression that you believe it is a mental or emotional type disorder rather than a physical condition. ADHD is a neurological disorder caused by a mis-firing of neurons in the brain. It is a physical condition, not something that can be cured by therapy. Therapy helps them learn to live with ADHD and to manage some of the symptoms but it can't cure it.

Some children can be helped with supplements and therapy but some only respond to medications. The children are no more drugged than a child who is given insulin for diabetes.

As parents, every one of us here has and still is seeking the best way of taking care of our children. No one here wants to medicate their child. We are all aware that medication of any kind has its negative points along with the positive results. If we could find anything which would give our children a normal or near normal life without medication, there isn't a parent here who wouldn't choose to do that, no matter how difficult it would be for us. Some children desperately need meds to function at all in our society. It would be criminal to deny those children meds.

I believe that you just wanted to warn people that there may be answers other than meds out there. We do know that, but we appreciate your concern. There are many of us here, myself included, who have chosen not to medicate. Some of us will never have to, but others will ultimately reach a point where we see no option other than meds. It is a tough decision to make.

It is great that you have found something which works for your child. I would love to know what it is. I have had success with omegas in the form of flax seed oil. Other parents have found other things have shown better results for their's. What do you give him, how much and how often? Maybe you have something that will help someone else here. We all would appreciate that kind of input.

Welcome to the board! You will find that we are very supportive and encouraging here, no matter what choice a parent makes. I look forward to your input and we are willing to help you if you have questions or just need to vent. Barb

hand and needs to go to her room and take a break. THAT COMES FROM POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT THAT SHE IS NORMAL and nnot from the meds. It takes a lot of love and patience not a lot of finger poiinting

Absolutely Rae as finger pointing is a result of lack of knowledge in the area of childhood disorders. Untreated ADHD will indeed result in severe emotional and behavioral problems as the element of low self esteem just escalates as the child gets older due to negative feedback and negative reinforcement from society in general. Through behavior modification, children learn to take responsibility for their actions. Stimulant medications for ADHD give the child the ability to make a choice rather than act out impulsively. For those who fall prey to junk science that is not endorsed and studied by the medical and scientific community, thats a personal choice in terms of how one defines good research. Any loving, caring parent would not consider any medication as a FIRST CHOICE, especially at a young age, without doing accurate research and medical and psychological testing. Parents that chose to medicate are not making medication their first choice but rather the best choice for their child. Parents coming here will certainly be defensive when it is implied that they dont know their subject Avery wise ADHD'er who is a special education teacher once told me and I will quote her " People who REALLY care about the welfare of children want accurate information, not comforting information or information that helps one cope with cognitive dissonance."

[QUOTE=2004]My son has ADHD...... I am only concern as a parent the dosage of medication that doctors are prescribing for very YOUNG children....I am not a doctor but common sense tells me prescribing 80mg of any drug for a very YOUNG child is certainly not good.... we are quick in this country to medicate. PLEASE REMEMBER MEDICATION DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.. IT ONLY MASKS the problem.

p.s. I am not against medication.[/QUOTE]

If the problem is a lack of a necessary neurotransmitter, and the medication either creates more of that neurotransmitter or helps to keep the body from eliminating the neurotransmitter then we have in fact fixed the problem - not masked it.

Please do some more research. I strongly recommend that you read the books written by Drs. Silver and Amen. They are quite enlightening.

Elizabeth

2004 why do you seem so surprised you hit a sore subject. You say educate b4 medicate. Well I would like to educate you some.

ADHD is a biological condition that can ONLY be helped by medication. And you cannot educate an ADHD child very well without the medication. So I Say "Medicate then Educate". And 2004 perhaps with your impulsive talking without thinking perhaps your child inherited ADHD from yourself???? Food for Thought.

We as parents are educated, if we are not - we are on here to gain an education. So try to be compassionate.

will somebody please help me...i'm desperate!!!!i live in ibiza,spain and my 4 yr old son was diagnosed as being ADHD positive 15 months ago.he was immediately put on Risperdal,which apparently is the only suitable medication on license for use in spain.i was immediately impressed with its effectiveness as he went from sleeping only 3 hrs a night to all night in a matter of days.he is a loving carefree child except when his next dosage is due.then he becomes uncontrollable for a time.we were managing his illness well with help frm his school and seemed to be getting somewhere.this all fell apart when my friend in the UK whose son is also ADHD positive asked about the possibility of Risperdal asit had worked so well for us. Her doctor was mortifiedthat such a young child as mine had been prescribed such a powerful drug for ADHD when it is actually an antipsychotic drug used for schizophrenia and to treat aggression an mentally retarded children.My doctor here in spain was approached and she said 'its Risperdal or nothing!' what do i do? i need some input quickly.....hope someone can help.....x

This is from http://www.psyweb.com/Drughtm/risper.html:

Risperidone ( Risperdal ) is an antipsychotic drug used in the treatment of disorganized or psychotic thinking. Risperidone ( Risperdal ) is used to treat aggression, false perceptions, Tourette's syndrome, or behavioral problems in persons with mental retardation.

Please read the whole page, it states children under 18 should not take this drug. I heard on the news last week, that this drug has been linked to diabetes & strokes & that Johnson & Johnson minimized the risks of this med.

If you go to www.drugrecall.com read what they are saying regarding children & risperdal http://adrugrecall.com/risperdal/children.html

And this from MSNBC http://www.msnbc.msn.com/?querytext=risperdal+&id=305341 9&action=fulltext&searchfromtoc.x=17&searchfromt oc.y=17

All this said, I have heard of other parents on this site using Risperdal. Hopefully they will respond to this post with the info their Dr.'s have given them.

I do think you need to see a new Dr. armed with as much info on Risperdal as you can find & ask for another typeof Med.

I wish you luck, please let us know what happens.

As with lots of medication Risperdal is used for off label issues. My 4 year old Daughter was perscribed it for her ODD (Oppositioanl Defiant Disorder) behavior due to Sensory Integration Dysfunction. She did very well on this drug. She would still be on it except she had gained 11 lbs in a little under 4 months. She has now been switched to Abilify and that is also helping her a great deal but we are still dealing with weight issues and may have to take her off that as well. We have just cut back to the lowest dosage possible and are waiting to see if her weight stabilizes or hopefully she loses a few pounds.

I can't say I am not concerned. I think any parent giving childrn medication is concerned. The benefits seemed to outweight the possible problems. All of these medications are so new that there is no long term information on them and none have been tested on young children which is why they are not recommended. This is also true of many traditional ADHD medications. In the end you as the parent have to make the decision to medicate or not and what medications you feel comfortable with. I would suggest you check out the previous posters links but go beyond that and look for any information you can get on this medication out on the web. There is a lot. Also, ask your sons physician for any information they have. If that medication is the only one approved in Spain I would think they would have a reason to use it and have documentation to back it up.

Best wishes to you -Gettingagrip-

thanx to you 2 for posting so quickly.....i have read up on this drug on many sites and have printed it off..although the majority of the info was in english i went armed with everything i had to see the consultant pediatrician this afternoon..he was with a translator and we got on well.he agrees that there are issues to be rectified aand although he suggests i carry on with the lowest dosage possible for the meantime he is getting an appointment with the drugs administration here in spain as soon as possible and has given me a priority appointment to be referred to the hospital for cat scans etc and to assess my son's behaviour in more detail.he was extremely helpful and i am happy we got as far as we did during one appointment.so although my son is on this medication for the forseeable future he assured me that finishing it abruptly would be more detrimental to his health than playing it slowly.can i also say that i asked him about the link with this medication and tardive dyskinesia and he assured me that if the child was succeptible to developing this syndrome it could accelerate the onset or make it worse but it DOES NOT CAUSE this dibilitating and frightening neuro disease.