My 6 year old son has just be diagnosed with ADHD and ODD he started medication today, I haven't made this decision lightly, he has been seeing a psychologist for a year and now a pedeatrition who agrees with the psychologist.
After trying and still continuing other alternatives such as diet changes, been more firm ect he still has impulsive, emotional and aggressive outburst at home and school I don't know what else to do, i am having mixed feelings about putting him on medication and am feeling pretty guilty like I've failed him in some way, is this a normal feeling for mums/dads with this diagnosis??
Also he is on vyvanse has anyone's children used this ? Would like to know people's experience. TIA
5 Replies
I have little experience with this (apart from my now 22 year old step-son being medicated for same when he was younger, but I didn't have a lot to do with him then), but I just wanted to say you're doing an amazing job helping him. It impacts them greatly to not be able to control themselves. Clearly you have notade this decision lightly and hopefully it will work out well and give him the best chance to do well at school and at home. Much love xxxx
You are doing great, yes it is normal to feel down about it. I think when it comes to adhd we still struggle to truly process it is a medical condition, not a parenting condition. Plus judgement from certain groups of people who are either judging or perceived to judge don't help.
My son has adhd and epilepsy (amongst other things). One day I said to myself, I don't feel guilty for medicating my son for epilepsy so he doesn't have seizures (hopefully) why do I feel guilty for medicating for adhd which is also a medical condition. His brain works to fast, he can't relax, he can't rest, he can't think properly, or think things through. His safety is at risk because of his adhd just as it is at risk from epilepsy.
It also helped me to speak to some adults with adhd and how they describe how it feels to have adhd and be medicated versus unmedicated. Unmedicated the outcomes can be quite devastating, being labeled as the bad/naughty child, not being able to concentrate at school, feeling like they can't slow down. Some kids go on to self medicate with illegal drugs in an attempt to feel normal.
For doing something now, you are doing great. I don't have any personal experience on the medication your son is on, so want comment.
Give yourself a hug
You haven't failed him. You have done everything you can. You even waited and made sure they had the diagnosis right before medicating.
You did well. It is time to rest
Following this post closely as my 9 yo girl will be starting this medication next week.
22 years ago my son was diagnosed the same. We have done the full roundabout. We started with the dexamphetimine, and the Ritalin which only ever worked for short periods, and when he turned 14 he started stratera, none of which I wanted him to be on but the stratera was the one that worked for him and got him through his HSC. In hind sight though I now know that I could have treated him with extraordinary probiotics which could have halted his issues and given him a healthier more stable life if only I had known then what I know now! Please feel free to contact me any time for more information. There is another way! And by the way , your feelings are normal and unwarranted,! We all do the best we can for our kids and hindsight is something we don't often get.