How has Ritalin or other meds affected your ADHD child?

Question

The teachers are pushing me to get my son diagnosed and medicated again and i'm not having any of it. Just wanted some insight as to how the medications affected the child, good, bad, anything. thanks!

Answer 1

Medication is a tool however since it does have side effects and can cover up real problems it should be used after other nondrug treatments such as therapy, behavior modification, and even parenting classes. Check for the things below first before chosing meds. Also....teachers are not qualified to diagnose ADHD. Knowing that they brought up ADHD without checking for the below things proves that.




Causes of Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and lack of attention span

For those who are searching for reasons behind their kid’s behavior, here are some possibilities. Many parents, because of not knowing, settle for ADHD as a diagnosis before looking at everything. ADHD is diagnosed by mental health professionals who form their opinion by observing your child's behavior nothing more. There are no brain scans, blood tests, or anything else definite that is used during diagnosis. The problem with that is there are many other problems that have the same symptoms of ADHD. For example, any problem dealing with the fuels of the body: water, food, blood and air can cause behavior problems. Water, food, blood and air to the body is just like gas and oil to a car. If you put bad gas or have old or the wrong oil in your car, it will act up just like a child acts up when eating foods they are allergic to, drinking or breathing contaminated water or air or having blood disorders. There are also many medical, biological, emotional and mental conditions that mimic ADHD also. I’ll provide examples in more detail in the listing that follows. Only settle for the diagnosis of ADHD after checking out all of these problems and many more.

! = The conditions to check for first (The most over looked)
* = Other good possibilities to check for
** = Definitely check if there is a family history of the condition
*** = General problems in which you can think about yourself and check if you see fit.
Rare = Rare conditions but still good to check for and know about.

1.(!) Hypoglycemia (Low Blood sugar) Low blood sugar can stem from thyroid disorders, liver or pancreatic problems, or adrenal gland abnormalities, or even an insufficient diet. Hypoglycemia can display the same ADHD like sypmtoms.

2.(!) Allergies: 15 to 20 percent of the world has some type of allergy. A person can be allergic to nearly anything so check for all forms. Food is one of the primary causes of allergic reactions. Just like the Car and human analogy stated above. If a child eats food they are allergic to, the body will not run properly and that may affect behavior. Everyone has different sensitivities to allergens so just because you aren’t affected does not mean your child won’t be also. (Some examples, Allergic reactions to food dye, milk, chocolate, and grains, ect)

3.(!) Learning disabilities: If the primary place of behavior problems is at school, learning disabilities may be the cause of ill behavior. One of the main things that affects a child’s self-esteem is how well they do in school. If a child has an undiagnosed learning disorder that makes school much harder and sometimes impossible. Children with undiagnosed learning disabilities are labeled as lazy, stupid, and many other downgrading opinions which affects self-esteem. And many times when a child’s self-esteem is at jeopardy they try to make up for it in other sometimes nonproductive ways such as acting out, bullying, or becoming the class clown.

4.(!) Hyper or hypothyroidism: An imbalance in metabolism that occurs from an overproduction or underproduction of thyroid hormones. This imbalance may cause a variety of behaviors and may affect all body functions.

5.(***) Dietary Factors: (For example to much caffeine and sugar) At doses as low as 250 milligrams a day, a level many American children exceed- caffeine can cause rambling speech, attention and concentration problems, agitation, heart palpitations, insomnia, and hyperactive behavior. In a way, it is true we are what we eat.

6.(Rare) Early stage brain tumors – Found rarely in children but should still be considered. Statistically, this diagnoses may not be important – but to individual families, they assuredly are.

7.(*)Toxin exposures- Children are more vulnerable to toxins than adults. Such as pesticide-poisoning (Eating vegetables and fruit not washed thoroughly, they can be exposed to them by playing outside on the ground), also by gasoline fumes, and herbicides. Inside there are also many toxins. Disinfectants, furniture polishes and air fresheners are toxins that can affect some children’s behaviors. Beds and carpets are one of the most dangerous places in the house because they are full of different types of dust, and other toxins. Toxins can cause hyperactivity, attention deficits, irritability, and learning problems.

8.(**) Early-onset diabetes is another problem that displays some of the same symptoms of ADHD – symptoms include aggression, depression, and anxiety. If you have a family history of diabetes checking for this is a must.

9.(**) Heart disease is another. It affects blood and oxygen flow to the brain affecting brain function that in-turn affects behavior.

10. (***) Worms – Such as Pinworms. They lay their eggs in the anal area, causing tickling and itching, which are most bothersome at night. The lack of sleep from this type of infestation can cause crankiness or bad behavior during the day. When asleep, nightmares may be present. This problem is mostly found in very young children preschool to kindergarten because of primitive toileting skills, they tend to put their fingers in their mouths, and they participate in a lot of hands-on activities with other kids and with pets. Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms are other examples that can make a child display ADHD like symptoms. Worms cause hyperactive behavior, learning problems, depression, or attention deficits by making children miserable on the inside.

11.(***) Viral or bacterial infections: When a child is affected by an infection that might cause problem behavior.

12.(***) Malnutrition or improper diet – Many children in the United States do not eat a well balanced diet. A proper diet is necessary to growing children. An improper diet can affect a child’s behavior in an ill way.

13.(***) Head injuries – Such as the postconcussion syndrome. Some of the symptoms include Irritability, emotionality, memory problems, depression, and sleep disturbances. A concussion can disrupt brain functioning causing ADHD like symptoms.

14.(*) Spinal Problems- Some spinal problems can cause ADHD like symptoms because if the spine is not connected to the brain properly nerves from the spinal cord can give the brain all of signals at once making a child rambunctious and always on the go.

15.(*) Carbon Monoxide poisoning – Thousands of children each year are exposed to toxic levels of this gas each year. Sources include gas heaters, and other gas appliances such as fireplaces, dryers, and water heaters.

16.(***) Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or Fetal alcohol effects (FAE) – FAS is a name that doctors use to describe the damage done to children’s brains and bodies when their mother drink heavily during pregnancy. It is the leading form of mental retardation today. Prenatal alcohol impairment, however, also comes in a milder form called fetal alcohol effects (FAE). Children with FAE often don’t look disabled, and they tend to score in the low-normal or even normal range of intelligence. But these kids arent normal. Their mal-developed brains cause them to exhibit a wide range of behavior problems, including hyperactivity, attention problems, learning disorders, and ethical problems such as stealing, lying, and cheating.

17.(**) Cardiac conditions – It can reduce the supply of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Defective blood vessels between organs to the brain.

18. (!) Mild to high lead levels, even in the absence of clinical lead poisoning: Research shows that children with even mildly elevated lead levels suffer from reduced IQs, attention deficits, and poor school performance. Lead is the leading culprit in toxin-caused hyperactivity.

19.(*) High mercury levels – One of the most interesting things I found regarding high mercury levels relates to dental fillings. Children who have mercury amalgam fillings in their mouth and grind their teeth are at risk of high mercury levels. American dental associations are defensive on the subject of mercury fillings but many European countries have discontinued the use of them because of side effects. There are also other causes of high mercury levels.

20.(*) High manganese levels

21.(*) Iron deficiency: Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying pigment in the blood. Iron is normally obtained through the food in the diet and by the recycling of iron from old red blood cells. The causes of iron deficiency are too little iron in the diet, poor absorption of iron by the body, and loss of blood. It is also caused by lead poisoning in children.

22.(*) B vitamin deficiencies: Many experts believe that one of the main causes for inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, temper tantrums, sleep disorders, forgetfulness, and aggression are caused by faulty neurotransmissions – a problem with the neurotransmitters in the brain. Vitamin B-6 is a necessary vitamin used in the making of neurotransmitters that affect behavior. A lack of this vitamin or really any other vitamin can cause a child to act inappropriately.

23.(*) Excessive amounts of Vitamins: Excessive amounts of vitamins can be toxic to the body and may cause the same ADHD like symptoms. It is possible to overdose when taking vitamins so make sure you contact a physician and check for vitamin deficiencies before taking extra vitamins.

24.(*) Tourette’s syndrome: Tourette's syndrome is a rare but disruptive condition. It involves multiple tics (small, repetitive muscle movements), usually facial tics with grimacing and blinking. Tics may also occur in the shoulders and arms. This is usually accompanied by loud vocalizations, which may include grunts or noises, or uncontrollable (compulsive) use of obscenities or short phrases. The tics are worse during emotional stress and are absent during sleep. The cause is unknown. It occurs most often in boys, and may begin around age 7 or 8 or not until the child is in his or her late teens or early twenties. It may, at times, run in families. This disorder can be mistaken for not being able to sit still or impulsive behavior.

25.(Rare) Temporal lobe seizures: The Temporal lobe is a part of the brain. Any brain malfunction can cause inappropriate behavior. That’s why conducting brain scans is a must when trying to figure out behavior problems.


26. (***) Some drugs, both prescription and illegal can cause the brain to atrophy, leading to disturbed cognition and behavior. If your child routinely takes prescription or over-the-counter medications for asthma, hay fever, allergies, headaches, or any other condition, consider the possibility that the drugs are causing or contributing to behavior problems.

27. (Rare) Brain cysts – Another rare cause of hyperactivity but should still be considered when searching for the reasons behind displayed ADHD like behavior.

28.(*) Seizure disorders – The most overlooked is the absence Seizures. During an absence seizure, the brain’s normal activity shuts down. The child stares blankly, sometimes rotates his eyes upward, and occasionally blinks or jerks repetitively, he drops objects from his hand, and there may be some mild involuntary movements known as automatisms. The attack lasts for a few seconds and then it is over as rapidly as it begins. If these attacks occur dozens of times each day, they can interfere with a child’s school performance and be confused by parents and teachers with daydreaming.

29.(*) Metabolic disorders – They reduce the brain’s supply of glucose, the bodies fuel and can cause ADHD like symptoms.

30.(*) Genetic defects – Some mild forms of genetic disorders can go unnoticed in children and display some of the same symptoms of ADHD. Mild forms of Turner’s syndrome, sickle-cell anemia, and Fragile X syndrome are some examples. Almost any genetic disorder can cause hyperactivity or other behavior problems, even if the disorder isn’t normally linked to such problems. Many genetic diseases disrupt brain functions directly, through a variety of paths. A simple blood test can rule out genetic disorders. I’ll list a couple more with more detail in this list.

31. (***) Intentionally or unintentionally sniffing materials such as modeling glue or other house hold products

32. (***) Some disorders such as anemias reduce oxygen to the brain causing disturbance in the brains chemistry causing ADHD like symptoms.

33. (*) Sleeping disorders or other problems causing fatigue and crankiness during the day.

34. (*) Post-traumatic subclinical seizure disorder- It causes episodic temper explosions. These fits of temper come out of the blue for no reason. Some of these seizures can be too subtle to detect without a twenty-four-hour electroencephalogram (EEG).

35. (Rare) Porphyria – a hereditary enzyme-deficiency disease. Enzymes are very important to our body’s chemical reactions. Really nothing occurs in our body without enzymes. A lack of enzymes causes body malfunctioning which can cause ill behavior.

36. (Rare) Candida Albicans infestation (Yeast Infection) – Candida infestations cause hyperactivity in children. Most children who do suffer from Candida infestations have some underlying problem – frequently an immune disorder, or a disorder affecting carbohydrate metabolism and thus altering blood sugar levels. So immune disorders can cause other problems that also have the same symptoms of ADHD.

37. (Rare) Intestinal parasites – Parasites rob the body of needed nutrients which in-turn affects behavior.

38. (***) A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, better known as “strep.” – Although these bacteria are most commonly thought of as the cause of strep throat. Left untreated, strep can cause rheumatic fever and a movement disorder called Sydenham’s chorea. Moreover, recurrent infections can lead, in susceptible children, to a group of symptoms collectively known as PANDAS (Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders) Some symptoms of PANDAS include obsessive-compulsive behavior, Tourette’s syndrome, hyperactivity, cognitive problems, and fidgeting.

39.(!) Hearing and vision problems: If a child cant see or hear properly, school and daily things in life are nearly impossible and it may cause ADHD like symptoms especially in educational settings.

40.(***) Lack of exercise: “Hyper Couch Potatoes” are children who aren’t moving enough. Some children because of lack of exercise may seem as though they are always in motion, but often that motion is in fits and spurts: leaping up from a chair, spinning around in the lunch line, bouncing in a chair while watching TV. Quite a few hyperactive children actually do not get enough sustained, strenuous exercise to stay healthy mentally and physically. Exercise can make people happier, less anxious, less hyperactive, and less depressed. One reason is that exercise increases serotonin levels in the brain – exactly what Prozac, Elavil, and similar drugs do.

41.(***) Gifted Children: Gifted children often display ADHD like symptoms because most of the time they are bored with what other kids their age are doing. Behaviors associated with Giftedness are poor attention, boredom, daydreaming, low tolerance for persistence on tasks that seem irrelevant, their judgment often lags behind their development of intellect, their intensity may lead to power struggles with authorities, and they may have a high activity level. They may need less sleep compared to other children, and they may question rules, customs, and traditions. If your child scores above average on IQ tests, aces exams, has no trouble with homework, has no apparent learning disabilities, and primarily exhibits his or her problems mostly at school, maybe seeking a more challenging class or school would help.

42. (***) Emotional problems: Kids who are experiencing emotional problems most often display ADHD like symptoms. For example, kids who are constantly subjected to bullying at school can display ADHD like symptoms. These are normal kids that act out because they are scared. They experience sleeping problems, sadness, and they develop physical symptoms, especially if they think those symptoms will keep them home from school. Often they can’t concentrate in class, partly because they are worried and partly because they are suffering from sleep deprivation. Really any emotional problem at school or home in which a child is having trouble coping with can result in ADHD like symptoms.

43.(***) Some kids are just spoiled and undisciplined – A number of children labeled hyperactive are merely under-disciplined children who need a firmer hand. They are the ones that run their household and get away with anything. Dr Syndey Walker stated this problem best of why parents under-discipline their children. He stated that he blamed this rise in bratty kids not on parents but on the psychological experts who have counseled parents for several decades that children are fragile, easily traumatized little flowers who could be ruined for life by a cross look or a scolding which is very untrue. Children need firm discipline and strict rules – not abuse but setting rules and standards and demanding those standards be met, and giving consequences when your rules are broken. Labeling undisciplined kids as ADHD just gives them an excuse for their misbehavior, which will often make it worse.

44.(*) Sensory Integration Dysfunction- Sensory Integration Dysfunction is the inefficient neurological processing of information received through the senses, causing problems with learning, development, and behavior. These children are over-sensitive or under-sensitive dealing in touch, taste, smell, sound, or sight. For example, some of these children crave fast and spinning movement, such as swinging, rocking, twirling, and riding the merry-go-round- without getting dizzy. These children may move constantly, fidget, enjoy getting into upside down positions and be a daredevil. These children may become overexcited when there is too much to look at – words, toys, or other children. They may cover their eyes, have poor eye contact, be inattentive when drawing or doing desk work, or overreact to bright light. These children often act out in an attempt to cope with their inability to process sensory information such as acting out in crowded or loud places.

45. (***) Spirited children – When dealing with spirited children the problem usually does not lie with the child but with society’s perception of what normal childhood behavior is. Many normal children, according to some people, display ADHD like symptoms not because they are hyperactive or lack sufficient attention spans but because the person forming the opinion has unrealistic standards of how a child should behave.

46.(***) CAPD (Central Auditory processing Disorder)- will sometimes occur in children who have had a history of ear infections and/or PE tubes. Symptoms include distractibility, inability to follow a set of verbal instructions, "space out", etc.

47. (**) Early-Onset Bi-Polar disorder: Also know as child-like Bi-polar. The experts state that 85% of children with child-like Bi-polar also meet the criteria for ADHD. The symptoms are extremely close. Most people when they think of Bi-polar disorder, think of Adult like Bipolar which mood swings happen over a some what long period of time. In child-like Bipolar, the mood swings can happen many times within a twenty four hour day, known as rapid cycling. At one moment they’re calm and the next minute they could be in a full fledge temper tantrum. Some of the symptoms are Distractibility, Hyperactivity, impulsivity, separation anxiety, restlessness, depressed mood, low self esteem, and many more. Early-Onset Bi-polar should be ruled out before ADHD is considered mainly because they are treated with different medications – if you choose medications that is. ADHD is treated with stimulant medications which will make a Bipolar child worse possibly psychotic.

48. (Rare) Klinefelter syndrom: A Genetic disorder in which a male has an extra X chromosome (XXY). Many individuals experience learning, behavior, and social problems. A degree of subnormal intelligence appears in some affected individuals. Many affected individuals are skinny and taller than most of their peers. A simple blood test can rule this disorder out.

49.(Rare) Genetic Disorder XYY- The extra Y chromosome has been associated with antisocial behavior.

50.(***) Lack of understanding and communication skills: One of the main reasons why a child acts out and throws temper tantrums when they have a problem is because of their lack of understanding of a problem and lack of expressing how they feel. Children do not have the vocabulary or know how to express their emotions like adults do, that’s why many act out when they are in a difficult situation. They are not able to tell you something is wrong so they show you instead. This is one reason why any emotional or medical problem can cause acting out behavior in children.

Good luck,
Counselor Dan

Answer 2

I wasn't going to respond, but after reading some of the responses to your questionsI felt that I should.

Meds can and do work. Meds can help control stereotypical ADHD behavior. They can help kids focus, be less impulsive, and etc. Meds don't solve all problems, though. Meds can't teach a kid social skills or study skills or whatever. (Meds can help a kid focus long enough to be taught those skills, though). Meds also don't help a kid deal emotionally with being different. So therapy (cognitive or behavioral) should be used with medication. As with any medication it should be monitored. There are side effects. Medications do different things to different people.

Be open. You're son may or may not have ADHD. Medication and/or therapy may not be the answer. But...be open. If you test you're son what's the worse that could happen? You would find out if he has ADHD or not. If he doesn't then you cross it off you're list and move on. If he does then you could get him help that he may need. If he does have ADHD you can't ignore it. It's not going to go away. He may learn how to cope with it, but it would be alot easier if he had professional help to cope with it. He may not learn how to cope with it on his own. It could affect his self esteem, his academic success, work success and etc.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How has Ritalin or other meds affected your ADHD child?
The teachers are pushing me to get my son diagnosed and medicated again and i'm not having any of it. Just wanted some insight as to how the medications affected the child, good, bad, anything. thanks!

Answer 4

I don't have any kids, but several of my cousins have been diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. They are all on medication, and really, it doesn't work. It has made my youngest cousin have a higher metabolism, and he can barely gain weight while taking it. When he withdrawals, he is so miserable and gets sick. I think a lot of the problem though is that their diets haven't been changed. I think if they didn't consume so much sugar and junk food, they wouldn't have a lot of issues. Personally, I would tell the teachers to get over themselves, that your child is healthy, and that they don't have medical liscenses and to keep their traps shut.

Answer 5

My son was diagnosed at age 5 and they placed him on meds.at the time I had no idea what to do and if i could do it over i would have told them to shove it the meds slowed him down all right he would just lay there when he got home from school and always complained of being VERY sleepy

I took him back in and they changed his meds the ones they gave him that time almost killed him(NO EXAGGERATING) his heart rate sky rocket as well as his blood pressure and they had to sedate him to slow his heart rate until the meds wore off.

Need less to say I would much rather have a child that cant sit still for more than a min. then one that i cant hold

I am sorry for the lack of names on the meds this was 10 years ago and cant remember what they gave him

My advise tell them to kiss your ***!!!!!!

Answer 6

my 8 year old son has adhd and he is on Concerta. He is doing really well on it. Concerta is a time released pill for adhd. Have your son tested before he gets put on anything.That's the only way they can really tell you what he needs. My son isn't a zombie on it either. He's very active just not as hyper and he concetrates much better than he was 2 years ago.

Answer 7

I have ADHD and personally I hate the medication they have me on. Ritalin. All it does is make me too calm. Most people diagnosed with ADHD learn to control it themselves with the help of the parents. Best thing you could do for your son is talk to him and DON'T put him on the medicine unless you want a "zombie" for a son

Answer 8

Ritalin(a cocaine dirivitive)has numerous side effects, so
I don't like it. Heard of many bad experiences with it. Try
giving your child(at dinner) a good Hi-Potency multi vitamin(full range of B vits.) and a good Omega 3(essential
fatty acids) pill. These along with Ginko and Ginsing are
good brain nutrients, and help with ADHD symptoms. Its
even good for adults too. Another one is '5HTP' go to a
good health food store.

Answer 9

Remember its your child. and your choice to medicate him. Don't ever let public schools dicate what brain altering medication you give your son.
My brother now 23, had a very rough/scary time with taking Ritalin for a year, when he was 11. It turned out he never really needed the pill in the 1st place. And he has been perfectly fine for the last 12 years.
As a mother myself, I don't think I would give any of my children a medicine that messes with the chemicals in their brain.

Answer 10

I was diagnosed and treated for ADHD. Now, I'm weird as hell. I've been estranged from most of the people I know, and consequently, I have an awkward sense of humor and I'm entertained with weird crap.

Your kid is probably just really creative. Find out his niche, and then encourage it.

This ADHD talk is crap. I swear, throw your boy in front of a video game, and he'll stay still for hours.

Trust me.

Answer 11

My cousin almost died from taking this drug. It damaged his liver. A lot of people don't believe this, but caffeine is great for kids with ADHD and ADD. Caffeine has the opposite effect. While in kids that do not have ADHD it can hype them up, in kids with ADHD it helps them calm down and concentrate. I have ADD and I find that I can stay on task better when I have caffein in my system. Children's Hospital in Seattle gives caffeine to preemies in their IVs. It helps stimulate their brain to remind them to breath so they don't have as many apnea episodes. (My son was born almost 3 months early and received this treatment)