Science basis for ADHD medication breaks

[Anonymous]

Assuming that there is not a significant side effect you are seeking to minimize: Is there any reputable science that supports taking breaks from ADHD medications on weekends, holiday, and summers? I’m thinking about a kid who benefits more at school than at home from the medication but still is helped by the medication to some extent at home. Is there a reason to give up the small at home benefit if the meds because the breaks are good for some reason?

[Anonymous]

I think you need to talk with your doctor. We have taken breaks before to boost kid's caloric intake because kid eats less on meds and is also low on the weight charts.

[Anonymous]

Well, they make my kids feel horrible, so any break from them is welcome.

[Anonymous]

Habituation. Some people will, over time, require an ever-increasing dosage for effectiveness. Not everyone, but some. A med break reduces this.

[Anonymous]

Have you been on ADHD drugs? Well, I can tell you, they make you feel like you are on drugs. Would you like feeling like that all of the time for weeks on end?

[Anonymous]

Opposite to PP, my kid does not feel bad on them, but feels lost when not on them. Not taking his med makes him feel drunk. Under no circumstances should he drive unmedicated. His doctor strongly suggested he not skip on weekends.

Which is to say: this is a highly individual question that you need to discuss with your child's doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Opposite to PP, my kid does not feel bad on them, but feels lost when not on them. Not taking his med makes him feel drunk. Under no circumstances should he drive unmedicated. His doctor strongly suggested he not skip on weekends.

Which is to say: this is a highly individual question that you need to discuss with your child's doctor.

Good response. This likely varies person by person. My young adult does not go without.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been on ADHD drugs? Well, I can tell you, they make you feel like you are on drugs. Would you like feeling like that all of the time for weeks on end?

I’m sure some people are like this but my DS doesn’t like breaks that are too long. He starts walking in circles around the house.

But, if he wants a break, he can have it. I don’t know if it’s helpful or harmful or neutral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been on ADHD drugs? Well, I can tell you, they make you feel like you are on drugs. Would you like feeling like that all of the time for weeks on end?

I have! They do not make me feel this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to talk with your doctor. We have taken breaks before to boost kid's caloric intake because kid eats less on meds and is also low on the weight charts.

Our psychiatrist said basically this but otherwise assuming they are well tolerated, there’s no reason to

[Anonymous]

My kid was very resistant to taking drugs at all, so the compromise (suggested by her doctor) was to take a break from the meds on weekends. So there was no medical reason for the breaks, it was just a way to make her more compliant in taking them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been on ADHD drugs? Well, I can tell you, they make you feel like you are on drugs. Would you like feeling like that all of the time for weeks on end?

I have (and am). I don’t take breaks unless I forget. When I forget I’m really worn out by about 9 which makes it hard to tuck in my kids and spend any time with my spouse. These days I don’t notice much of a different feeling except when I don’t take them I’m tired. I don’t know what I first took about a decade ago (I took a break after first kid to have second kid and we moved and I have a new doctor). When I first started meds it made me feel like I’d just left a yoga class - myself, but a little calmer and a little more present with less anxiety. Why wouldn’t I want that every day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been on ADHD drugs? Well, I can tell you, they make you feel like you are on drugs. Would you like feeling like that all of the time for weeks on end?

My husband says it makes him feel better, and clearer headed, not at all like what you are describing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, they make my kids feel horrible, so any break from them is welcome.

you need to find a new medicine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been on ADHD drugs? Well, I can tell you, they make you feel like you are on drugs. Would you like feeling like that all of the time for weeks on end?

then maybe you do not actually NEED ADHD drugs. they wprk different for people who actually NEED them.