Should children with ADD/ADHD be put on drugs such as Ritalin, Concerta, etc. ?

Question

Please explain your answer, include other treatments that you think would be effective.

julwortham I'm talking about legal meds not METH.

Answer 1

Children who truly need medicine to help them live a "normal " life benefit in most cases by taking the meds. I have a family member who takes meds and I tell you you can tell the difference. Before being on meds, he could not concentrate on his school work. The child would tell people he couldn't concentrate( the child never used the word focus , always used the word concentrate).The child said his head was going too fast. When the child was put on a small dose of meds it was enough to help improve his success at school.In his home he has always had routine. He is active in sports and is in every aspect a regular kid.There are risks with taking any medication, even aspirin.No medications should be taken without being informed about the pros and cons. I don't condone taking meds to make life easier but for making your life better, there is a big difference,

Answer 2

As a child with ADHD I strongly believe that children and adults alike should be put on drugs to help with their concentration problems. I am currently on the drug Adderal and I have noticed a substantial difference in school and at home. I also go to a psychologist, which I'd also recommend. One problem I have noticed with kids on prescriptions is they use their medication as an excuse i.e. " I'm crazy today. I didn't take my pills." There is also a debate about how people take these medications illegally. However I do believe the benefits far out way the consequences.

Answer 3

NO definitley not. I am against them. My son was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome which has the likeness of ADD or ADHD and I put him first on Concerta, then tried Adderall, and finally Strattera. I first took him off the Concerta because it made him very emotional and then started to give him tics and made him constantly squint and blink his eyes. All the meds messed him up and made him Zombie like . It was horrible. I felt like such a bad parent for giving him those things. I took him off and never again will I do that. My 6 year old is ADHD and I would rather deal with him bouncing off the walls than to give him medicine which totally changes their personalities. There are other things you can do with children like this. Check online for diets for ADHD, or go to a herbalist, or go to a health food store. They have natural herbs there for this. Never go the route of meds, even if the doctor or school push you to do it.

Answer 4

I strongly think Ritalin is overprescribed. It is in the same family as amphetamines and can be dangerous. My husband uses the stuff and he is addicted to it. If he doesn't take it, he is so tired he won't be able to get out of bed.

I was diagnosed with ADD, and I have found that excersize helps a lot. It really teaches you to focus! Also, cut out sugar and caffeine. Kids nowadays eat too much junk food. That would help a lot. Only is those measures don't work, then try the drugs, but only as a last resort.

Answer 5

My daughter was diagnosed a year ago with ADHD and OCD. Her psychologist recommeded Strattera. It has been a wonderful thing. Before the medication, she was having a lot of problems in school with paying attention, self-control issues, etc...She still has some problems, but since the medication helps with most of them, we can devote more time with behavior modification on just the issues that the medicine is not so effective. I do not believe that kids should just be put on medications randomly or based just on a parents' opinion. But after having a psychological evaluation, with input from teachers, conselors, parents, and doctors, it was the right choice for MY daughter. Each child is unique and should be dealt with on a case by case system.

Answer 6

I think children who are diagnosed as having ADD or ADHD should first of all get second and third opinions.

If it does turn out that the diagnoses were correct, then I think medications should be used as a last resort. I'm not sure what all options there are for treating these conditions, but I imagine there's more than just drugs or no drugs.

Answer 7

Some children need psychotropic medication in order to function. Some need it temporarily while a therapist helps them to develop skills (social skills, concentration skills, etc.). Some don't need meds at all and can work on these skills alone. Studies generally show that meds alone without therapy have limited results whereas therapy with meds seems to produce the best results. Try having your child assessed by a mental health professional and then determine what the next step should be.

Answer 8

Medicating a child with learning disabilities is a personal choice. I work in special education at the middle school level and have seen both sides of the coin. Children on the proper dosage of the right medication makes a world of difference. The child is able to focus and be successful, which helps with self esteem issues. They realize that they are not stupid or slow as they have been told, and can actually do the work unassissted. Children who are not on medication are unable to focus on the work, are restless and fidgety, and feel stupid because they are unable to complete assignments they are capable of doing. Parents are afraid that by putting their child on medication they will become drug addicts, but usually the opposite is true. Kids who do not take meds for their learning disabilities usually turn to street drugs to make themselves feel better and to fit in.

Answer 9

Try changing your childs diet NO SUGAR. Sugar is everywhere did you know that there is a tons of sugar in ketchup and soda. The amounts of sugar we feed are kids is crazy. Try introducing fruits and vegetables.
If this does not work then you should think about Ritalin as an option. I realy don't like that drug it place kids under this haze. They are kid of there but not. Yes, it does improve concentration but at the same time your child just doesn't seem like you child.

Answer 10

Yes.. my step son has adhd and his mother took him off his meds because he was losing to much weight ... the child is not overly skinny and before he was put on medication was doing poorly in school when he is a fairly bright kid... with the meds he started doing well in school and wasn't such a pain in the ***..