Hi mummas
My son is currently experiencing issues in grade 2 at school. He is really distracted and always has been, he gets angry when playing video games and gets into trouble often for not listening. I'm very hesitant to get him assessed as I'm concerned about putting him in meds.
Are there side effects to them, weight gain, addiction issues later in life, I've heard àlot of stories and Ive decided to start looking into it properly myself.
Or am I just overly concerned and it's just normal behaviour.?
Please be sensitive to my feelings, this is a really hard subject for me.
12 Replies
There's actually some evidence supporting the opposite. A lot of kids with behavioural disorders who went undiagnosed, un-medicated and/or untreated (as in no therapies, no additional learning support etc) as children often turn to drugs as a teen or adult as a way of coping or self medicating.
My brother and several of my cousins who have adhd went down this path.
Having him assessed doesn't automatically mean he'll receive a diagnosis but if he does get a diagnosis that is only going to help him because then his teacher can change the way they teach him, his school can offer more support, it opens up doors and funding for occupational therapies amongst other things.
You don't even necessarily have to medicate him, sometimes the therapy and additional support is enough. Sometimes medicating is in the child's best interest though so I'd encourage you to keep an open mind.
I'm definitely open to suggestions and he's had such a bad time with one thing or another lately I think it's just a matter of time before his teacher says something to me. Poor kid. Do you have any clue what meds they offer for ADHD?
If he’s grade 2 now I’m very surprised they haven’t flagged it with you yet.
First of all, stop video games. If he is getting angry and not listening and getting in trouble at school, then the games need to go. This is a reward to him. My son in grade 4 plays non online games (like Pokémon, bakugan, beyblades on his DS and Switch) he has mo anger issues with these games, he goes to his fathers and plays fortnite, league of Legends etc and is angry and aggressive.
Medicating a child for an “issue” that requires medication will not cause a drug addict, not medicating a child who needs it is more likely to cause drug use in older years.
Get him assessed and do everything to make his life happier and add in more exercise and less screen time
He doesn't play any online games he was getting super angry at rollercoaster Tycoon lol... He usually gets angry when it's time to turn it off. But I get what your saying. I'm kind of waiting to see what his teacher says as he hasn't had a full year at school yet so it's been really hard to figure out. His prep teacher said he would not listen and not sit still. Last year his teacher said he struggles to keep focus. He's a really smart boy, speaks fantastic vocabulary and reading is advanced. So I guess I'll wait to see what his teacher says as he's only 5 weeks in. Thanks so much
Being assessed is separate to putting him on meds. Having him assessed will help explain to you the way his brain works and what potentially he has trouble with and why ( and that’s for both being diagnosed with adhd, dyslexia, or ruling that out and working out what else is going on. Meds is a completely separate issue, and if you get to that point, cross that bridge when you come to it. But having a child that can function daily is far more important than the side effects, otherwise he won’t need them, they don’t just instantly put all kids on them.
There is more to a diagnosis then simply medicating. Both yourself and your child need an understanding of his triggers and learning to deal with them.
Statistics are out there that show teens (with behavioural disorders) are more likely to take drugs in an effort to normalise the feelings they should otherwise be medicated for.
I tried everything out there to avoid putting my son on Ritalin, 12 months later we opted for a very low dose of Ritalin and the change in his learning was amazing.
Have there been any negative side effects?
The stigma around adhd medication is ridiculous. Addiction issues are far more deeply rooted then having medication as a child.
Would you hesitate to get your child assessed for diabetes, cancer or even suicidal tendencies? I would hope not so stop being silly and get your son some help.
Medication is not the devil. Some people need it to function, to survive, to live happy productive lives. My eldest is medicated, has been for 10 years. Without his medication he says he feel out of control which makes him scared and anxious. Imagine living feeling like that everyday, horrible. And no, no side effects. Ignore the scary stories and do what you son needs you to do to help him be the best version of himself he can be. Whatever that may end up being.
As a mum who wish we had been more of an advocate when my son was younger. don't be afraid of seeking help and diagnosis. My son want hyper but inattentive, however everyone assumed it was because he struggled with literacy, now fast forward to 16, after he home schooled with me in locked down i knew something was off. If he was interested he was hyper focused, if he was not interested it was impossible. Had great memory for anything that interested him. He is add diagnosed and medicated and in a few short weeks he has made massive improvements, i regret not pushing past the symptoms that the school was trying to manage rather than understand root cause. You don't have to medicate, that's your call, it's been life changing for my son
Can I say as a teacher please get him assessed. When a student is medicated we see a huge difference with them being able to concentrate and make friends.
Medication is not bad, if he broke his leg you would give him pain medication. This just helps balance out his brain.
As someone who works with kids - diagnosed/undiagnosed and medicated/not medicated.
You can 100% see the difference in the kids who have been given the opportunity or a diagnosis/medication.
I've worked with children who's parents refused to get them tested, and the kids fall behind at school because they either do not or cannot do/focus on the work that is asked of them.
I have actually worked with one specific child who was not medicated, over the holidays his parents decided to get him medication and the change in this child and their learning was unbelievable! The child wanted to try and participate in the class work and was really trying their best.
As many others have said, being assess doesn't automatically mean meds. They may suggest them, and you may decide to give them a go and see how they work for him.
Also I'd be stopping the video games. If he isn't listening to you when on them, then he shouldn't be getting them. Use them as a positive reward for good behaviour.