Child medication by experience
Hi, my son (7 years) is diagnosed ADHD without hyperactivity. From my point of view the symptoms are mild (maybe because for me its "normal"). My wife and I now have to decide wether we want to treat his symptoms with methylphenidat. My question: Can someone with medium strength adhd who gets medicated in his/her childhood write their experience in retrospective?
Thanks for reading, sorry for my English.
I, like another responder, always only diagnosed in adulthood and frankly I am happy that I did not get medicated until later. This allowed me to develop coping strategies that I still have to use but they are made easier thanks to the medication. One of the problems that ADHDers have is they think the meds solve everything, but it only works when you have the added coping mechanisms.
For what it's worth we have been doing the same for 2 out of our three kids, but one of them is so severely ADHD that we are considering getting him medication.
Also, if you are worried about stimulants, there is a non-stimulant ADHD medication called Atomoxetine (former brand name Stratera). That's what I'm on and, as an adult, I'm on the 10mg dose (the lowest they make). They started me on 40mg and I felt like a zero emotion robot and almost didn't go further.
One of the problems that ADHDers have is they think the meds solve everything, but it only works when you have the added coping mechanisms.
Conversely, some people are only able to get to a state where they can develop those strategies after they've been able to access medication.
Very true. I should emphasize the context that everyone's brain chemistry is different and I would not gatekeep medication for someone who needed it first. I was mostly trying to emphasize that meds without coping strategies can be problematic as well.
Thanks for one voice against medication.