Parents with ADHD Teenagers? | ADHD Information

I'm seeing alot of parents with young children but I need advice from parents with teens.  We are new to this whole thing- 13 year old son just diagnosised yesterday - and I would like to know how the teens are feeling.

My son came to me and asked for the help.  I did tell him a year ago that there were meds out there for people that have difficulties in school (focusing and cant sit still).  I let him make the call on when and if he wanted to give it a try.  He has always gotten good grades but he always had to work 4 times harder then anyone else.

Has anyone out there ever had a teen that wanted their meds?  I keep hearing the kids begging their parents to take them off.  I'm just wondering why they want off of it if it is helping them in school.

Any feedback to make me feel better about this transition would make me feel better.

my daughter is 14 and wants to be on her meds. She knows she feels so much more in control on her meds. She is completely on board and always tells me how she feels. She has been on other meds in the past that caused some side effects and she asked to change and we did. In some ways it's easier as older kids can verbalize exactly how they feel. For example, she was using the Dytrana patch for a bit. She didn't like wearing a patch and has no problem swallowing pills, so she asked me and her docotr to please change to something in pill form. We did and now she's better about it and has gotten better about remembering to even take them without me always prompting her.

Hi, HealingRain.  I like your moniker.

My (17yo) son agreed to start and has been regularly taking Vyvanse.  Thi s is the fourth medication tried over a few years' period of time, the previous three being stopped mainly due to side effects.  I am so happy for him.  He feels it works well in regard to being able to focus in school.  His grades are good, so far; however, he has other issues to iron out, non-medication related and we're working on those.  

Good luck to you and your son (who sounds like he is pretty mature for 13 years old).

I have a 12 yo daughter (4 months left) and she is inattentive.  She is on the Daytranna patch because she refuses to try pills.  She reminds me every morning to give it to her. (at 6 am!)

She says it mostly helps her get her work done quicker.  She is not staring at the walls or picking at her nails as much.  Hasn't helped much with the social aspect, we are working on that.

 

My DS is 13 and always took his meds without issue (currently is off of them but not because he refuses to take them).  We regularly have conversations about meds.  I feel very fortunate that my DS recognizes they can help him and is able to communicate that with me.  I think most teens that want to stop do so for two or three reasons; 1) they are just rebelling.  2) they are experiencing side effects they don't like (not all children experience this) 3) they don't want to be different from their peers and somehow they feel taking meds makes them different.  It is great that your DS has come to you for help and that you are willing to let him try medication.  Good luck!

13 yo dtr w/ADHD - primarily inattentive type.  States that she feels better on meds and when she goes a day w/out med states she doesn't like how she feels.  ie: can't concentrate to read a book or even watch a TV show.  Only takes Concerta 54mg.  Grades are good enough to be on the Honor Roll.  She doesn't have an issue w/taking the med, but does Have probs w/people who make comments about ADHD/ADD or make ignorant comments about dx. 

It is nice when they can tell you how they feel.  Good luck!

I am 16 years aold and recently diagnosed.I like to take my meds becuase they helpme focus and complete work and do better in school. I am taking the ACT and before emds my reading was 1 14. I skipped over passages and could not pay attention. With meds my reading score is a 26! I have alwasy been good at reading but could never focus. I just feel clmer and meds and I also want to do well in school. I cant concentrate without them as well! I have a friend who does not like taking her meds becuase she is not hungry on them. Good Luck! My grandson is a preteen (11 yrs old).  We just started him on meds a couple of months ago.  He is totally on board with them and says he can function better at school.  

Same as others, my 11 year old feels better on his meds because he's more in control.

Perhaps your son wants the meds now because school is getting harder and/or he's more concerned about not beng different and fitting in?  Those are normal teen behaviors.

My son is almost 13 and was diagnosed with ADHD yesterday.
He started his meds today. They put him on Adderall.He
seems to be having a very bad headache. More like a
migraine.I had to send him to bed without doing his
homework because he hurt so bad. I have never had a child
with ADHD and I feel like I cannot help him. Has anyone
else had children with these kinds of symptoms.

I would call the doctor, the med may be too high of a dose OR the wrong med. My son is also 13, started meds when he was turning 7. We tried adderall but it didn't work for MY son. We changed quickly to concerta and he has been taking it successfully ever since. You have to work the dosing to make sure you get them where they need to be successful.

People can take either the adderall family of meds or the ritalin family of meds, which concerta is part of. Unfortunately the only way to figure it out, is by doing what you are doing - trying it.

Please come back with any other questions so we can help. We have all been where you are!!