Posted on 08/30/2009 12:58:54 PM PDT by urroner
God bless you.
My daughter has ADHD. We tried improving diet, and taking holistic supplement called Attend. I think those have helped, but not enough. She is now taking Strattera to improve her focus, and she says it does. It does not help with impulse control, and so that continues to be a challenge. Our big concern was that meds would be potentially addicting, since substance abuse runs in our family. Our psychiatrist is working around that, with approaches/meds that do not have that risk.
I don’t think it has to be either/or, meds or wholistic. I think sensibly adapting meds and lifestyle to suit this child at this time helps.
Also, it was recommended that I attend meetings of CHADD, a support group for adults and children who have ADD. The great thing about it was to see how many really creative and bright people are able to live their lives working around their problem. And they have techniques for coping that are practical. And they are optimistic. What I think I needed most was to get some HOPE, and convey that to my child, so she doesn’t feel sorry for herself and give up.
We will keep up the good fight, and I’ll be keeping your son in my prayers, too.
Two of the most innovative, imaginative people I know have ADD. The “H” makes them very productive as well.
A monomaniacal streak can be something to behold, when properly directed. It’s not always a bad thing, and has been a very good thing, in many notable instances.
I have addition problems in my family, but I take my meds every morning, if I remember. I’ll forget about it occasionally and I will remember if somebody asks me if I had taken my meds and I’ve been taking them for a couple of years.
Most of the kids I know who take meds don’t want to take the meds and fight it. I don’t see an addiction problems there. If there was, most of those kids will not fight taking it.
I have told my ex that I hope her way works and I really do, but it’s not and it’s so frustrating to see our little son suffer because of it.
My friends and I both read this (and the place where it came from before) I was going to comment, but I followed my usual pattern of not responding. However, when this came around my friend and I discussed it. He is a Psych major and has had ADHD (medicated his whole life) and I’m ADHD and never been medicated. We both agreed that it sounded like your son needed the meds from what you describe, and with this I put a big IF, IF he is ADHD.
By middle school all the ADHD kids start to congregate together (outcasts galore even with their meds) However, these same kids in high school/college started dropping the meds and out of like 15 to 20 two (it maybe be three, she just dropped the meds) turned out to be Bipolar (very similar to ADHD, very different treatment) one had a Gender Identify disorder, one or more may have Generalized Anxiety disorder (which can be combined with ADHD or without). The rest who have stayed on the meds, I can’t tell you, but I’m pretty sure they are just ADHD or Asburgers (SP?) and most know that they can’t come off them ever . Also keep in mind coming off these meds messed with them alot since they had never functioned without them. I would ask that you consider letting your child off the meds in the summer so they might to learn to function without them.
As I think about it somemore, your son still somewhat sounds like me when I was his age, fifth grade was hell for my mother having to sit with me up to three hours just to get homework done. I had few friends and was osterized. By eight I had picked up coping habits and a TV addiction that got me through till college. I also, drawing in my classes picked up my skills I would need in real life as a Vis com major. I did ok, but I never excelled, but I had been given the chance to take the drugs now, after seeing what it’s done to my friends, I would say no. I even have another friend who is another Psych major who admitted to me her intelligence went down on the meds.
Actually, it’s kinda embarrassing to admit, but me and other friend were celebrating last year because we both met someone else that hadn’t remembered to brush their teeth like ever till college. Hygiene and getting dresses are just something that go along with ADHD, but can be managed. I used TV commercials to help keep track of time while doing my homework (lack of realization of passing of time), and hyperfocus that comes from ADHD helps alot in things that I’m interested in (Computers and anything visual) so I could get by.
bttt
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