I have a seven year old daughter who was properly diagnosed with ADHD about 1 1/2 years ago. Unmedicated, she has a very high degree of hyperactivity and impulsivity but no real issues with her ability to attend to task. For example, she could successfully play a game on the computer for hours while constantly fidgetting and switching her position in the chair. She would run a marathon in place while playing the game. As far as impulsivity, she will at times scream very loudly or act uncontrollably silly even though she is aware that she shouldn't act in that manner. I don't believe it is behavorial because there is far far less of that type of behavior while the Concerta is in her system.
Since the diagnosis we tried a variety of Ritalin meds until we recently settled in on 36mg of Concerta and Tenex (I believe 1mg 2x per day). The Tenex was added in about 4 months ago to help with sleeping at night and fidgetting in school. We still have a number of issues including: disruptive fidgetting in school despite the teacher's efforts, impulsivity (i.e. shouting) causing socialization issues with her peers, and probably most importantly, inability to maintain a full nights sleep (either not falling asleep for hours or falling asleep and waking up a number of times throughout the night) which can be causing its own host of issues.
My doctor is not enamored with the results of her Strattera patients but if we decide to make a medication shift we are somewhat out of alternative options.
PLEASE......any suggestions?
You have to remember everybody is different. My 7 yr old stepson with ADHD did not do well on concerta, he was depressed on strattera, but is doing the best with adderall. I am an adult with ADD and I cant take Adderall but I am now getting ready to start Strattera. Everyone will react different to different meds!