Has anyone noticed that since their child has started taking meds that their personality changes when they aren't on them?
Every time that my son has taken meds we have noticed in the morning before he takes them that he is much more agressive and angrier than before we started them. This morning for example he lost it, I mean the anger was scary, just because the dog had dripped water on the floor from her water bowl and he stepped in it. Honestly if he had the opportunity to have killed someone he probably could have. Once the meds kicked in, he was fine. But the thing is is that during the summer when he's not on anything, we don't see this. I run a daycare and if one of them does something wrong there are times where he'll say "I hate them" but the anger behind it just doesn't seem appropriate. This is not my usual kid, at least not for quite a few years. When he was 2 1/2, he was violent and destructive. He was diagnosed then with ODD and we were told he had little to no conscience. We have gotten it under control and he is now very thoughtful but I have found since he has started with the concerta/clonidine his personality when he is not on the meds (and more so in the morning) is scary. My dh is convinced that he has a split personality or something. He goes this violent/angry way and then a couple minutes later, he's fine.
Could it be the meds causing this? Anyone else have anything similar?
We have noticed that when the meds wear off that our ds seems to not have the same coping skills to cope with the impulsiveness/hyperactivity/etc. - but we think that it is because he is not having to control it all day, so much of the behavior modification that was so emphasized before he was on meds is not routine to him anymore. My plan is to really work with him on this self-control this spring and summer.
When he was on Concerta, he seemed very angry and aggressive, so we switched meds. Started Metadate CD over the weekend, and he seemed personality-wise to be himself, just quieter and more controlled. He was maybe a little more focused on certain tasks, but when we went outside he was still very animated and pretty happy.
I would talk with your dr.