Hi IM's
I'm sure this question has been asked before but I can't seem to search the posts.
My son is turning 8 at the end of this month and has been diagnosed as ADD (Attention deficit disorder) He has problems with focus and concentration and is well below his level at school. Reading and writing are a big problem or keeping focus on anything he isn't interested in. He does not suffer from hyperactivity and does not distract his peers in the classroom. He also has problems maintaining friendships and playing in team sports. He is seeing a speech therapist, O/T, had his eyes checked and his paediatrician has described Ritalin for him.
I have a primary school teacher as a close friend and has said that she has seen nothing but remarkable results from children who have taken this medication. However my partner (Son's stepfather) is dead against me giving it to him and believes he doesn't have learning difficulties, he just doesn't want to do what is asked of him. My child feels like he is stupid and has little confidence.
Can anyone please share their child's experience on this medication? Good and bad. Short and long term affects? Im very interested in any side affects that can cause problems with mental heath as their father suffered with depression.
Thank you
6 Replies
I would ignore your partner. He has no idea what it feels like to have ADD. Basically ADD feels like your brain is spinning super fast and won’t stop. Even if you want to you can’t slow things down.
If your son has been diagnosed you have nothing to worry about in regards to taking the medication. It has a really short life in the body and adults who are on the medication say it’s life changing.
The long term effects of not taking the medication can be devestating. A life of under achieving, mental health issues, low self esteem. ADD is a medical diagnosis of a brain difference.
Please tell your partner to shut it!
Absolutely agree!! As someone who suffers ADHD and has kids with ADHD, we need the assistance. Remember ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder not deficient behaviour. Check out How To ADHD on you tube or Dr Thomas Browne executive functions online or the ADDitude website.
Not your partners decision to make. The paediatrician would not have prescribed this unnecessarily. This is a highly controlled drug that requires certain criteria to be met before it can be prescribed (I'm a pharmacist). At the very least I would recommend trialling it and speaking to the paediatrician if you are concerned about side effects or lack of effect. Your childs needs must come before anyone elses opinions.
I understand you feeling torn between your partner and the medication. At the end of the day a medical professional had prescribed the medication. A good paediatrician does not do this lightly. Just sit down with your partner and discuss is calmly. Maybe agree to a 2 month trial then reassess. Might also be helpful to have your partner along to the appointments.
Terrible experience. Felt like a zombie, had extreme memory loss and still can’t recall the time from when it was taken. Calmed down because of how much it zonked him out but it just wasn’t him anymore whilst on it.
Doesn't believe he has learning difficulties? Excuse me?
Cool, I don't believe my child has asthma. No medication for him. He just doesn't want to breathe properly.
Come on, if your kid has an issue that MAY be helped by medication... wouldn't you at least try it? It doesn't have to be permanent.