ADHD Meds for Children

[Middle Buffalo]

My son went/is going through the same thing.

 

He was super hyperactive as a toddler. I work afternoons, so picking him up from pre-school and kindergarten was my job, and it was a job that I hated every time I went. I always braced myself for the bad daily report. This went on until 2nd grade, and then we took him to a center that diagnoses ADD/ADHD. They determined that my son had ADHD. My wife was ready to put him on meds, but I wasn't so sure. I wanted to try alternatives such as exercise and improved nutrition. I believe that nutrition is a major factor. In fact, the office we went to for the diagnosis had a questionaire that asked the same four questions 25 different ways. One theme that was constantly repeated was diet.

 

We've been pretty bad about totally changing our son's diet, but we do try to make sure he's not just eating carbs. My son loves bread, pasta and sugar. And carb intake was one of the things that the questionaire repeatedly referred back to.

 

I did some research (and I'd recommend that you do some - there's a ton of stuff out there), and it seemed to indicate that ADD/ADHD people tend to lack certain vitamins. I found this amino acid supplement (Neu Becalm'd) and had my son take it. http://www.lifehealthsolutions.com/calm/becalmd.html It wasn't a miracle drug, but he did seem to improve some. He really doesn't take it anymore, but I figured it was worth a try at the time.

 

The doctor was less than enthusiastic that we opted for no meds, but recommended karate (for focus/discipline), improved diet (good liquid multi & fish oil), and patience. Patience is huge. My son is in 5th grade now (and hasn't taken karate - but does play soccer and basketball), and he's improved greatly, but is still incredibly frustrating. Sometimes I hate myself for getting angry with him over his inattentiveness. Thankfully, I've been nominated as one of the "Posters You Wished Posted More." That calms me.

 

[MattZakrowski]

At that age I side with staying away from medication, and at east trying the other options first. Just dialing back sugar alone could make a huge difference. I've never been tested, but since improving my diet and starting to exercise fairly frequently, I've become so much better about studying for long periods of time.

[scenario]

Two simple pieces of advice I would offer:

 

1. Learn more about it. A book like "Driven to Distraction" which was written by two psychologists who both have ADHD is a good start. Great input on things families should know, etc.

 

2. Get a referral to a psychologist (or psychiatrist) with experience in treating ADHD (not all do) and who has an excellent reputation in working with kids.

 

 

[Reddy]

My son went/is going through the same thing.

 

He was super hyperactive as a toddler. I work afternoons, so picking him up from pre-school and kindergarten was my job, and it was a job that I hated every time I went. I always braced myself for the bad daily report. This went on until 2nd grade, and then we took him to a center that diagnoses ADD/ADHD. They determined that my son had ADHD. My wife was ready to put him on meds, but I wasn't so sure. I wanted to try alternatives such as exercise and improved nutrition. I believe that nutrition is a major factor. In fact, the office we went to for the diagnosis had a questionaire that asked the same four questions 25 different ways. One theme that was constantly repeated was diet.

 

We've been pretty bad about totally changing our son's diet, but we do try to make sure he's not just eating carbs. My son loves bread, pasta and sugar. And carb intake was one of the things that the questionaire repeatedly referred back to.

 

I did some research (and I'd recommend that you do some - there's a ton of stuff out there), and it seemed to indicate that ADD/ADHD people tend to lack certain vitamins. I found this amino acid supplement (Neu Becalm'd) and had my son take it. http://www.lifehealthsolutions.com/calm/becalmd.html It wasn't a miracle drug, but he did seem to improve some. He really doesn't take it anymore, but I figured it was worth a try at the time.

 

The doctor was less than enthusiastic that we opted for no meds, but recommended karate (for focus/discipline), improved diet (good liquid multi & fish oil), and patience. Patience is huge. My son is in 5th grade now (and hasn't taken karate - but does play soccer and basketball), and he's improved greatly, but is still incredibly frustrating. Sometimes I hate myself for getting angry with him over his inattentiveness. Thankfully, I've been nominated as one of the "Posters You Wished Posted More." That calms me.

 

this is a GREAT idea. my brother and i both did tae kwon do from early ages which A) let us take out our aggression/energy in a constructive way and B ) taught us discipline - our master was a hardcore dude. my brother was always extremely hyper and aggressive and quick to anger, but doing tae kwon do went a LONG way to curbing this. No drugs required.

Edited February 17, 2010 by Reddy

[Soxy]

Pick up some information on Behavior Modification (or take him to see a behavioral specialist--partly to see if he REALLY fits the diagnosis) if his behavior is disrupting his school work or causing problems/anxiety for the kid. Otherwise he'll grow out of it.

 

[Reddy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but your implication seemed to be that extreme inattentiveness and hyperactivity is just "kids being kids" and not a legitimate disorder.

ah here's where we're confused. no, i do not believe it's a legitimate disorder.

[CrimsonWeltall]

ah here's where we're confused. no, i do not believe it's a legitimate disorder.

 

Then, we're not confused. My objection was to that idea.

[iamshack]

Thanks for all the comments and advice from everyone!

 

This has been a real learning experience. I am definitely going to look into some literature, look more into obtaining more information on what diet alterations can be made, and the karate/martial arts thing is something that I keep seeing come up here.

 

Wonderful stuff guys, and keep it coming if you'd like!

 

Mark

[Texsox]

All of those are excellent ideas that should be explored before meds.

[Texsox]

or maybe parents didn't put up with their crap.

 

 

And that is certainly the correct treatment in many cases, probably the majority. But, much like we use to lock up people who needed mental health treatment, or even call them possessed and killed them, some individuals are suffering from a condition that cannot be controlled by behavior modification or parents getting strict. For those cases, medication can help them to be more successful in life.

 

I agree it has been overdiagnosed, and many kids wound up on meds that should not have. but there are still cases, IMHO, where it is the appropriate path.

 

But to say that about everyone is like telling someone with depression to suck it up and just be happy.

[StrangeSox]

Concerta changed my life, but behavioral counseling/ methods/ whatever has also been a big part.

 

If a good doc. (psychologist or psychiatrist) gave the diagnosis and they aren't just a hired Rx writer, stick with the medication. There's also some interesting research coming out about ADHD/ ADD and the motivation issue. The biggest problem is staying focused on one task and completing it with care. That's why you can see the up-and-down swings with ADD people; new things are exciting and interesting, so you focus and do well. After you do it for a while (no new stimulus), your interest level plummets, bringing your attention to detail, productivity and quality down with it.

 

edit:

 

Medication isn't always the answer. My diagnosis wasn't until I was in my 20's, and I know that children often react differently to the medication than adults. Structure is very important as is organization and keeping track of your tasks and goals. Stick with one task through to completion (ADD people usually have a million things going at once and never finish any of them).

Edited February 17, 2010 by StrangeSox

[StrangeSox]

question then, how on earth did kids ever grow up BEFORE this era of "drugs can fix all your problems"?

 

Q: How did humanity survive before vaccines and penicillin?

 

A: People that were sick were SOL.