My son has been diagnosed ADHD and on medicine since 3rd grade. He only has needed medicine really for school days and has taken breaks all summers and on weekends. This has been successful except the Concerta makes him anti-social. He's been on other meds that make him lose weight.
Well this year he has decided that he doesn't want to take medicine. He's 17. We've had a difficult time - doesn't bring homework home, got a D on his first quiz in chemistry II, etc... I'm hoping he'll reach a point where he'll make the decision to go back on concerta. How can I force him at 17 in order to get his A's and B's like he's capable of? I respect and understand the side effect of the anti-social behavior on the concerta, and it's important to fit in while in high school.
This just makes me so sad - the whole reality of ADHD and how it affects our kids. Has anyone else dealt with this? His behavior at home is difficult to deal with also - it's as if he just doesn't care anymore to make school a priority though he says he gets it done in school with his study hall. Maybe I'm just asking for too much - I just know he's cabable of it. He's an honor roll student and wants to go to a competitive college.
It could be something else - not the Concerta necessarily.Either way, I understand that while you're still the parent, he's coming into his own and becoming a young adult. He may have to learn the hard way and make his own decisions about medication and college - his future.
You can let him know that you'll always be there for him, etc. and that medication will be an option if he so chooses but at some point he's going to have to make tough life decisions for himself.
Being a parent isn't easy. Being a parent of a child with ADHD isn't easy. Being a parent WITH ADHD isn't easy. Hang in there.
I haven't dealt with this, but I can imagine your frustration. A couple of thoughts: Would it be possible, if your son is willing, to give some of the other medications a try or retry? Even though meds other than concerta made him lose weight in the past, it's possible that they might not have that affect now that he's older. I don't have any experience with this, but I would imagine that how a med would affect someone could change dramatically between childhood and the late teen years. Feeling anti-social is a pretty substantial impact, so I can understand your son not wanting to take the Concerta.
Have you looked at the "Alternatives and Complementary Meds" forum? Some people have a lot of success with an amino acid supplement called phosphatidyl serine (PS) along with omega 3s. If your son would be willing to look into this, it might be worth a try, since he is not wanting to take conventional meds.
Lastly, are you sure there aren't any other issues going on that could be causing the change in attitude toward school?
I do have a senior this year also, though he does not have ADHD, it can be so hard to reason with them at times. I know mine would like to take a shot at an extremely competitive college and is planning to retake SATs in a month, but is making no effort to study to improve his score.
One more thought, is there someone at the school who could talk to him? Guidance counselor or a teacher he likes? At least it is very early in the year and hopefully your son will pull it together one way or another. Best of luck!
He's been on 54mg of Concerta for many years and it has worked very well, but he is so focused that he walks straight to class and won't stop to socialize with others hardly. He becomes irritated easily on it also he says like with people snapping their gum or tapping their pencils - but he has always managed with that. Luvmykids02 there are organizational, impulsive, and behavior issues also which are frustrating but I wouldn't put him on medication for that - only that he has done so poor academically without medication and so well on it - honor roll. This is why I speak of academics and have only given him medication for school. I prefer not to give him medication. Back before diagnosis and failing school, he was calling himself stupid. He has found success academically and it has raised his self esteem with medicine on school days.
I suppose this week he may have a quiz, and we'll see how the grades come back. I'm really hoping he comes to the conclusion himself about medicine if he's dissatisfied with his grades. I have talked to him about other medications, and his answer is "Concerta served him well." ?
Anyone else with teenagers, do you find they gravitate towards other friends who are younger? My son seems to get along better with kids who are younger. These are great kids so I don't mind. I wonder if the ADHD makes him immature. He is also young for his grade.
I appreciate your responses. Thank you very much. Oh, and I do give him 1200mg of omega 3 with high portions of EPA and DHA. I will look at the other alternative options. We also have to watch red dye 40.
This is what I was hoping and that it would be his conclusion and decision. I did however earlier (after reading on here) order some PS to give that a try. Thank you. willandgrace wrote:
He's been on 54mg of Concerta for many years and it has worked very well, but he is so focused that he walks straight to class and won't stop to socialize with others hardly. He becomes irritated easily on it also he says like with people snapping their gum or tapping their pencils - but he has always managed with that. Luvmykids02 there are organizational, impulsive, and behavior issues also which are frustrating but I wouldn't put him on medication for that - only that he has done so poor academically without medication and so well on it - honor roll
Your son on this med and dose is over focused, not just focused . This is an unacceptable side affect. The meds were working for the grades but they weren't working for him on a personal level. At your sons age, issues of impulsivity and lack of organizational skills are far more serious than academic issues and that's why I suggested that you have a professional speak to your son about the benefits of medication. The role of medication is to see improvement in all areas of life and having good social experiences is just as important as good grades. Good social interactions are critical at age 17, Acting before thinking at this age can see serious consequences l'm glad to hear that your son has agreed to restart the meds but I would consult a professional about tweaking them. Good luck.
Edited to add........ Since you also asked about maturity issues, children and young adults with ADHD have 30% maturity lag. I suggest that you do extensive research on ADHD and the medications for it. Understanding it won't leave you with so many unanswered questions. It's difficult and frustrating to help your child if your not well versed on ADHD and the meds for it. Read through our messge board as there is a fountain of information
I found this post really interesting since I have been dwelling on a similar subject. My son is great taking his meds. He is 12 and really adhhhhhd, honestly. But I too find that he isn't social OUTSIDE of school. He plays football but is quiet on the sideline, no real interaction. It could be due to having been bullied and not wanting any one to mess with him, not sure. But he really is a homebody, loves is x box live and "socializing" with the other kids, and they are kids.
He is smart, no flies on him, but I wonder all the time if he will ever want any outside socialization. I also think his lagging behind due to his severe adhd could also be part of it. Teachers love him, he studies and cares about his grades. It may all be due to shyness, not really sure. He is very happy, social in school, but not outside of it. Believe me, I ask him to make sure things are going well with him.
Do you all think this is something to worry about? Or am I just a worry wart? He is such a great kid, that I just want the very best for him. 
Your son on this med and dose is over focused, not just focused . This is an unacceptable side affect. The meds were working for the grades but they weren't working for him on a personal level. At your sons age, issues of impulsivity and lack of organizational skills are far more serious than academic issues and that's why I suggested that you have a professional speak to your son about the benefits of medication. The role of medication is to see improvement in all areas of life and having good social experiences is just as important as good grades. Good social interactions are critical at age 17, Acting before thinking at this age can see serious consequences l'm glad to hear that your son has agreed to restart the meds but I would consult a professional about tweaking them. Good luck.
Edited to add........ Since you also asked about maturity issues, children and young adults with ADHD have 30% maturity lag. I suggest that you do extensive research on ADHD and the medications for it. Understanding it won't leave you with so many unanswered questions. It's difficult and frustrating to help your child if your not well versed on ADHD and the meds for it. Read through our messge board as there is a fountain of information
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I guess maybe I haven't made myself completely clear. He is not so impulsive and unorganized that he can't function well. He has been fine to live his summers and weekends without medicine. He's driving, working and has friendships (mostly a year younger in school) without incident.
Actually living with ADHD in the family for 8 years, I have done research and popped (lurked) in this Web site over the years. I am obviously and clearly not an expert and appreciate your help.
Before tweaking, we'll communicate how 54mg works for him now that he has grown to 6' 1" and 160 pounds.
[QUOTE=BETHANN]Do you all think this is something to worry about? Or am I just a worry wart? He is such a great kid, that I just want the very best for him.
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Bethann do you have conversations with him in a roundabout way about if he's happy? Some kids are just introverts.
Thank you for the reply.
Yes, I do. Often. That is what I want from my son, for him to be happy. I check in on him constantly to make sure things are good in school, that is work is done, that he isn't sitting alone at lunch, and not hanging with someone at recess. I also make sure he has someoen in each class. He tells me who he has in classes and who he is sitting next to at luch and hanging with at recess. He made it firm when he replied that he is not alone. He is not an introvert on the x-box games, very loud and into it. I do worry about my son, he is such a great kid, positive role model for those younger, but has adhd and without meds, would be a mess.
I read your post with my heart and I wonder if your son may benefit from a med for anxiety. You know they usually have a comorbid along with the adhd. My son has anxiety as well and is one of the many on tenex (guanfacine). He started it when he started concerta 7 years ago. My son is on 90mgs of concerta and 1 mg of guanfacine.
willandgrace, the med and dose are not determined by weight or height. Response to medication is very individual and effectiveness is based on the metabolic rate of absorption. Because your son is a teen, he may be going through hormonal changes and in that case, sometimes the med or dose may have to be changed. My son was taking ritalin from age 7 through 15 at the same dose but the med had to be changed at age 15, puberty being the culprit.
Normally the struggles a child has are considered a disorder called ADHD when they interfere with a child's ability to function normally and without incident on a daily basis and behaviors are seen in two settings.....ie... school as well as home.
I'm happy we could be of help to you and please come back and let us know how your son in doing 
your concerns about the concerta are similar to bethann's post so I copied it below.
"my son was on concerta for years and i saw similar serious, quiet more withdrawn symptoms as well. it was also suggested to me that perhaps that was his real personality. the disadvantage with concerta is that one cannot fine tune and adjust the dose to the individual. When Ritalin LA came out we switched to that and i could fine tune it to eliminate those symptoms. RitLA also had a smoother effect and my son liked it better too. He has been on the LA for about six years now and is very happy with it."
My son was very sensitive to slight changes in the dose of methylphenidate. I've also been able to fine tune short acting ritalin by shaving off the edge of a pill or breaking it into smaller pieces. a short acting dose of ritalin for him was 16.25mg.
Best of luck! oh yeah, my son is a junior in college (math and physics majors)
My best of luck to you and your son this senior year! What are his plans for after high school? If I can be of any help in the transition from high school to college, just ask away. We navigated the system for accommodations w/College Board tests and visited several college centers for services for special needs. I also have lots of articles related to transitioning to college for adhders. My son is ADHD, LD in Rdg & Language, Gifted, and has dysgraphia. I'd love to help if I can.
Oh, yeah. My youngest son (nonadhd) is a high school senior too!
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