Strattera, Stealing and ADHD ... | ADHD Information

Strattera has really helped with my daughter's impulsive behaviors.  It has been less effective on her hyperactivity, though.

Each medicine works differently for each person, so maybe Straterra might not be the med for her.

I know from first hand experience that stratera does not get rid of the behaviors that people with ADHD display.  I have had trouble with cirtain moral issues at times, and from my experience this is something that I as an individual have to fix.  As for other medications aderol and welbutran(I think those are spelt wrong...) are two alternatives.This is probably two discussions. My 12 year-old daughter has been stealing off and on for the last several years. It seems, on the one hand, to occur during high-stress times and, not surprisingly, it seems to be linked to the "impulsive" component of her ADHD.

Question: Have others on this board any experience with stealing and ADHD?

Further, I wonder how effective Strattera is for my child. It doesn't seem to curb her impulsiveness (she's been on it about three years). What other "ADHD" meds might a physician prescribe for my daughter?

Thank you. Oh stealing, let me tell you. If I was able to, I would have stolen anything and everything, but I just stopped on huge and took little crap. like napkins and really unnoticeable stuff. I do still find myself stealing stupid crap. newspapers, etc. but nothing like when I was young. I just wanted to do what I wanted to do, with no regard for others. Add and stealing. like bread and butter...

As a 24 year old female with ADHD (hyperactive innatentive) I can vouch that I am a "high stimulus" seeking, almost always bored individual. Its hard for me to relax. Its even hard for me to watch TV or movies. Seeking impulsive means of entertainment like this or a "rush" are unfortunately both fairly typical characteristic of ADHD personalities and these things are frequently high risk/ illegal/"taboo" activities for many people. The trick is to convert the addictive nature and stimulus seeking into another activity - perhaps soccer or track or hiking...anything safe. (side note: my 21 y/old brother is ADHD too)

Also, stealing in itself is even more characteristic of Bipolar personalities. They tend to experience cycles of manic highs and then depressive lows, with impulsivity, reckless behaviour, etc in the manic episodes. This may be relevant and should definitely not be stigmatized!

I tried taking Strattera because I liked that it was a non-stimulant medication (well, almost) Unfortunately Strattera made me sleepy, socially paranoid, and scared. It made all my issues worse, EXCEPT the hyperactivity, and it made my head a disorganized fog. I currently take Concerta and Wellbutrin and I have been on Dexedrine, Ritalin (which did not work), and Adderal. Everything seems to work differently for each person. Luckily your daughter is 12 - old enough to communicate what feels "yucky" and what might be working.

PLEASE READ THIS: Many people feel negatively about medicating ADHD children but in my personal opinion, intervention early on, true diagnoses, and a supportive structure at home & in activites will ultimately help kids avert the tendency for (street) drug addiction as a coping mechanism. This tendency is not always true but sadly, I've seen way too many of my ADHD friends and aquaintences fall into downward spirals because no one was there to understand and help them. And I've been there too. I lost a relationship, a house, a new car, and a wonderful, high paying job because I felt like I was drowning and had no one to go to. Parents often find it difficult to understand, but I'm begging -- please listen to us, we have honest hearts!