Can a teenager with ADHD or Bipolar disorder be forceably medicated?

Answer 1

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder:
Medical Treatment of ADHD

Drug therapy is an important component of treating ADHD. There are many types of drugs that can be used to control symptoms.

ADHD medicines are available in short-acting (immediate-release), intermediate-acting and long-acting forms. It may take some time for a physician to find the best medication, dosage and schedule for an individual with ADHD.

Stimulants

A class of drugs called psychostimulants or stimulants have been used to effectively treat ADHD for years. These medicines help users to focus their thoughts and ignore distractions. Stimulant medications are effective in 70% to 80% of patients.

They are used to treat both moderate and severe ADHD. The drugs are approved for use in adolescents or children over age 6 who are having difficulty with ADHD symptoms both at school or at work, as well as at home.

Stimulant drugs to treat ADHD include:

Adderall and Adderall XR
Concerta
Dexedrine
Focalin
Metadate CD and Metadate ER
Methylin
Ritalin, Ritalin LA
Learn more about stimulant therapy.

Nonstimulants and Other Drugs Used to Treat ADHD

In 2003, the first nonstimulant medication, Strattera, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It's used in adults, children and adolescents and is the first treatment approved to control ADHD symptoms in adults.

What Other Medications Are Used to Treat ADHD?

When stimulants or Strattera are ineffective or not well-tolerated, several other medications are available to treat ADHD. These medications include:

Pamelor or other tricyclic antidepressants
Catapres or Tenex
Wellbutrin
Effexor
Side Effects

ADHD drugs sometimes have side effects, but these tend to happen early in treatment and are usually mild and short-lived. The most common side effects include:

Decreased appetite/weight loss
Sleep problems
Headaches
Jitteriness
Social withdrawal
Stomachaches
In most cases, side effects can be relieved using one of the following strategies:

Changing the medication dosage
Adjusting the schedule of medication
Using a different medication
Always consult your health care provider before making any changes in your ADHD treatment regimen.

John

Answer 2

A teen who doesn't take medication is trying to tell you something. To me ADHD is overdiagnosed, and the side effects of common meds (sleepiness, lack of hunger, etc.) are worse than the ADHD symptoms. If this is the case, try looking into alternative therapies. In the case of Bipolar disorder, depression may be too great to even remember to take one's meds. Also, the teen may refuse to take meds because it makes their (happy/sad) cycles go crazy. In either case, the best course of action is to assure the teen that their medication is there to help them.

In both ADHD and bipolar, I suggest set up a daily schedule and stick to it. Watch them take it. Check under their tongues. Talk to the teen and ask why they won't take their medication. It may be laziness, but it could indicate a potential problem.

Answer 3

You could probably try to fight it legally, but in the end the judge would order you to take your medication if it can be proven that you would be a danger to yourself or others. The ADHD I don't think so much, but the bipolar probably so. I had a friend who had a mild case of biipolar that developed into a severe case because she was telling her parents she was taking her medication but was not and she ended up going off the deep end. I still miss her to this day.

Answer 4

How old? Gosh This Is A Tough One! You could do a Yahoo web search "forcibly medicate mental patients" for some info on that. (I got about 800 hits) But I'm thinking if your parents say NO then it's NO. And if your over 14 you may have the right to get a second opinion and possibly say you don't want to be medicated. Be careful and I'll pray for you. Good luck.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, yes, whether he or she really need the meds or not. Doctors are very quick to medicate because then the drug companies get to post record earnings every year. So kids are medicated whether they really need to be or not. If a parent complains, the so called "Children's Services" then remove the child from the parents and force the medications anyway. You can't win

Answer 6

Depends if the teen is over or under 18. The parent/guardian with the prescrption of the physician has the final say.

Answer 7

Forcing drugs on anyone is immoral.
The short and skinny of it, NO!

Forcing drugs on someone will make them hate you for a long *** time..
Illegal or legal for that matter.

Are you trying to turn a teenageer into a sheep?
Meds for this affliction are only temporary....
its just a matter of getting anyone and everyone to WORK HARD at their chain in life.

Answer 8

They can be court ordered, but you really have to prove that they are a danger to themselves or others. Being that it is rather unusual for teens to be bipolar, you may want to take them to another dr. for a second opinion. May be they are just acting out.
I don't know the situation, but when it comes to putting drugs like that into my kids I want to be 100% positive that is what they need!!

Answer 9

I think it depends on your age but I know about ADHD and some medicine help a great deal so why fight it?

Answer 10

why would the teen object? It's for not only thier own good but for the good of those around them. bipolar disorder can cauise one to be extreamly destructive not only to themselfs but to others.