Meds work for hyperactivity only? | ADHD Information

I've been debating about putting my son on meds. He's only 4, so anything I do won't happen quite yet. I've been working on this for over a year - doing therapy & such.

He has problems with aggression, impulsivity and hyperactivity. He can't fall asleep at night and has quite a temper. He figths with kids at daycare and is defiant to his teacher and his dad & I.

He does not seem to have any problems with attention span, though. Psych tests showed him to be rated at 50.1% in favor of ADHD. .1%! Doesn't seem like enough to do this!

Anyone have any advice for me?

TIA,
Mary

HilleMary, All the symptoms your describing except the hyperactivity are the symptoms my 4 year old daughter displays. She was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Basically that means that she is overwhelmed by her senses and overreacts to the stimulus. The aggression is what is called sensory defensiveness. Basically a fight or flight instinct.

Since they can't run away they fight. Just a thought on something else to look into. Since your son is only 4 you might want to wait to try the ADHD meds and see what happens when he is in school. My son who does have ADHD was having problems with reading and math. Plus, he could not stay seated when he should have been. This was very apparent by the start of 2nd grade.

When my son was diagnosed I expressed my fears about my daughter as her behavior seemed much worse and more problematic. The doctor tried her on the ADHD meds her brother was taking. That only lasted one week as it made her much worse. It basically made her even more sensetive to her senses. We then did a comprehensive testing program and they found the Sensory issue.

Get all the information you can then make your decision. Best Wishes. -Gettingagrip-

[QUOTE=gettingagrip]

Get all the information you can then make your decision. Best Wishes. -Gettingagrip-

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While I thank you for the intellegent answer :) I've got to say that I tackled this backwards compared to most — My son has been seeing an OT weekly for SID and the therapy has had absolutely no effect. I had my doubts about the original diagnosis because quite a lot of it didn't fit him, but I was SO hoping that it wasn't ADHD! And of course, the OT didn't want to just say, nah go somewhere else. She took us. Although she did finally say that there just wasn't anything else she could do for him.

Ah, well. Thanks for the other angle to consider. Maybe if others haven't, they will now!

Mary

Hi Mary.......AD/HD has 3 subtypes which are Impulsive/hperactive, Predominantly Inattentive or a combination of both. If the psych isnt 100% sure, I would seek out another opinion as children can be impulsive and hyperactive for reasons that have nothing to do with AD/HD. Many behaviors may mimic AD/HD and thats why is important to get a100% accurate diagnosis. Hope this helps

ADHD and SID can be comorbid. My daughter is actually taking a medication that is helping her behavior and tolerance a lot. The OT helps some but I believe the med is what is making the biggest difference. It is a drug commonly used for schitzophrenia (spelling?). My doctor explained it this way WE ARE USING THIS DRUG FOR IT'S OTHER BENEFITS. I do have to admit that I am kind of worried about long term affects but ,it has made such a difference for her that I am reluctant to take it away now. Especially since she started school this year and I was dreading the problems we were going to have. So far she has had a great experience an no complaints about her from the teacher. It has also improved her ability to go to sleep and stay asleep. The only side effect we have experienced is weight gain. The name of the medication is ABILIFY. She was on Risperdal before this med but she gained even more weight on that med and her sleeping wasn't so greatly improved. This is not a recommendation I am only relaying our experiences. If you want further information please ask your sons physician about it. Best Wishes. -Gettingagrip-

Mary if you have doubts and feel like you are coping okay at the moment do not medicate. Medication is only necessary if nothing else works.

Give him a few more years and then reconsider it. He is only 4 and if you can manage his issues with counselling and good parenting, go for it.

Have faith in yourself, until you feel you are disadvantaging the boy by not medicating.

[QUOTE=Rae70]

Mary if you have doubts and feel like you are coping okay at the moment do not medicate. Medication is only necessary if nothing else works.

Give him a few more years and then reconsider it. He is only 4 and if you can manage his issues with counselling and good parenting, go for it.

Have faith in yourself, until you feel you are disadvantaging the boy by not medicating.

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Thanks for the kind words! At times when he's behaving, I feel like I can wait and just keep going as-is. But then, when we try to play a game where he has to concentrate a little bit and he can't, I DO feel like I am failing him by not trying the meds.

Ugh!! I wish I was psychic:)

HilleMary38241.7608680556

You may not be psychic - but have faith in your mothering intuition .

I believe that we were given our children because we are the best possible parents for that child. And our children were sent to us to teach us some virture that we desperately need. Take heart and remain positive, find positive reasons in the negative things.