Cannot decide whether to medicate | ADHD Information

An evaluation is exactly what you need.  It sounds to me that he's just trying to assert himself in a new setting and the teacher has to work a little harder.  If the evaluation truly shows that he is ADHD then and only then would I consider meds.  My son was diagnosed with ADHD at 3 1/2, but we just started meds 3 weeks ago, because it was interfering with school (behind the class, interrupts constantly, inattentiveness).  Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have medicated.  And we're struggling right now with the dosage/type of meds.

 Of course, you do have to worry about self-esteem issues.  If your son gets singled out at school for his behaviour, then you'll need to devise a strategy - whether it be meds or therapy or both.  Good luck = you'll know much more after the evaluation!!

Hi all,

My son is 8 and in 2nd grade. He's a sweet, bright, slightly eccentric kid who often wows me with his perceptive comments about the world around him. When he was in kindergarten, he was diagnosed with mild to moderate ADHD. At that time, he was in therapy, and we (my ex-husband and I) agreed not to try meds. He was fidgety, he had some typical ADHD behavior (mostly around social issues) but he did have friends and his grades were good.

Four months ago, we moved away from the only home he ever knew. It's only 40 miles, but his dad is still in his old town. He sees his dad every other weekend, as usual, and now that the weather is getting warmer he'll see his dad more often. His dad and I are committed to keeping that bond tight. But it's as if the move tipped the balance. He's had trouble making friends (although he has made one or two since we moved) and his teacher has complained that he calls out in class constantly (although he's done a lot better since we instituted a "no-warmings" policy. (By that, I mean he doesn't get warned about his behavior in advance--now he just gets a demerit.)

My question is, by what I've said, does it seem to you that medication would help him? I know he feels different from the other kids, and when we had a discussion about his symptoms (I asked him if he felt "speedier" than other kids--that his brain moves more quickly--and he said yes. I also asked him if he would take a pill to make that feeling go away, and I got an immediate "yes.")

He's not overly oppositional, but likes to argue about brushing his teeth, etc, but I've been using 1-2-3 Magic and he responds pretty well to that. I guess the only reason I'd consider medication is if it would help him feel better about himself socially. I think he believes he's a "bad boy," and although his behavior can be exasperating, it's not like he's throwing chairs in the classroom or anything. Mostly his is attention-seeking behavior. And as I said, he's very bright, although sometimes rushes through his schoolwork.

I know this is a pretty disjointed description of my little guy, and I know you can't diagnose, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. I know that any parent of a child with ADHD who's decided to go with meds has made a tortuous decision, and I respect how difficult it was to make that decision. I would LOVE to hear from all of you out there. I'm afraid to give him the meds--I don't want to drug my sweet child--but I don't want to deny him if his life would be easier with the meds.

We're going to an evaluation today, so I guess this is why this question is on my mind. BTW, his teacher rated him 7 out of 9 for hyperactivity on the Conner's Test--my rating was only 1, even though most of my answers were "2s." Personally, I think his teacher is stunning in her lack of imagination, but then again, I'm not there to see his behavior. But rest assured, I'm not getting notes home, calls from the principal, etc.

Gosh, I'm babbling on...please let me know what you think about whether or not to consider meds. What kinds of questions should I be asking myself? What kinds of behavior or evidence should I be looking at?

Sorry this is so long, and thank all of you who take the time to reply.

Thanks, m2gk...this is such a difficult decision, and i appreciate your thoughts. I hope you figure out the meds issue soon.

Bump....please help me, I would love to get your thoughts...

By the way, the counselor said today that in his opinion, my son has ADHD...minimal inattention, major hyperactivity. But also that he was extremely bright. Next, he'll be seen by an MD (psychiatrist), who'll also weigh in on meds.

Please..weigh in...thanks so much.

Hi LMS

Just thought I would try to give you my input, even though it
may or may not help! My ds is 9, dx with ADHD primarily
innattentive in late 1st grade (now in 3rd). He has been on
Concerta (27 mg), for approx. 9 months. We did wait a while to
try the meds, as you said it can be a tortuous decision. My son
is also very bright, but was not overly hyperactive in school--
just talked out in class and wasn't always on the "same
page"...literally and figuratively .
I do consider his main problem areas to be a lower than normal
self--esteem, and social issues with friends. They just don't
seem to understand him. I will say that since he started meds it
has gotten better--but not totally. I have to keep reminding
myself that stuff like that cannot change overnight. He does go
to therapy 2X a month, which he loves. His therapist makes his
ADHD a POSITIVE diagnosis--he has learned that he can think
"outside of the box" and more creatively than his peers. Just
that in itself is really making an impact on his confidence.

Sometimes on weekends he doesn't take the meds, and the
difference is quite remarkable. He even notices it and doesn't
like it. He has said that without them his mind is fuzzy and he
cannot pay attention to certain things. He does not like NOT
being able to pay attention!
Also, FYI--when he first started meds, he had a couple of days
of mild side effects (weepy, emotional) but they disappeared by
day 4.

In any case, I'm sure you've read a thousand times by now that
all kids react differently to different meds. You never know what
will or what will not work for your child. In my case, I figured
why not try and see what happens? We could always stop if
they weren't helping. It has definetly made a positive difference
for him and our family in general. Don't get me wrong, either--
I'm not pushing meds, I wish we didn't have to give him meds.
The positives outweigh the negatives for us right now. Good
Luck to you   

Thanks so much, jaasmom. I love that your son's therapist is making the ADHD diagnosis a positive one, and so glad that the meds are working for your little guy. I've just made the appointment with the psychiatrist--the doc who will prescribe meds, if we decide to go that way. The appointment is in two weeks. I am still apprehensive, but relieved that a decision is going to be made one way or another.

Thanks again!

Bump...please please please would appreciate your thoughts. I am growing more and more anxious about making this decision...please reply! (Thanks to those who already have.)