why are so many against meds for ADHD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I think it's because taking the meds amounts to admitting their child has actual issues and just isn't brilliant and bored and if they teacher just realized their kid's brilliance, blah, blah, blah.

I think parents who rely on meds as their first option are lazy and aren't up to parenting a creative, smart kid with behavior challenges.

I am an adult with ADD whose mother had a sanctimonious smug attitude just like yours. Unfortunately for me and your kid, ADD is a neurological condition, not an excess of creativity or intelligence, and no amount of super sanctimommy "parenting" will rewire the brain. Would you try to "parent" the diabetes out of your kid?

Medications have completely changed my life and I will never forgive my mom for prioritizing her sanctimony over my need to function. But hey, she was able to tell the other mommies exactly what you've said above... Hope it was worth it for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I think it's because taking the meds amounts to admitting their child has actual issues and just isn't brilliant and bored and if they teacher just realized their kid's brilliance, blah, blah, blah.

I think parents who rely on meds as their first option are lazy and aren't up to parenting a creative, smart kid with behavior challenges.

I believe, and am speaking from personal experience, that most parents try meds as a last resort when they have exhausted all their options. Initially, you are at a loss as to why your child is behaving in a certain manner. So, I can't imagine parents jumping to the conclusion that it must be ADHD and the child needs meds. The initial reaction for us was confusion and not being able to understand why our son could not control his impulses. We tried the behavioral modification and rewards for good behavior but none of it worked. So, we had him formally assessed like a lot of parents do because most ethical pediatricians and psychiatrist will not prescribe meds based solely on a parent or teacher's observations. So, PP, I think you are misinformed and generalizing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I think it's because taking the meds amounts to admitting their child has actual issues and just isn't brilliant and bored and if they teacher just realized their kid's brilliance, blah, blah, blah.

I think parents who rely on meds as their first option are lazy and aren't up to parenting a creative, smart kid with behavior challenges.

I believe, and am speaking from personal experience, that most parents try meds as a last resort when they have exhausted all their options. Initially, you are at a loss as to why your child is behaving in a certain manner. So, I can't imagine parents jumping to the conclusion that it must be ADHD and the child needs meds. The initial reaction for us was confusion and not being able to understand why our son could not control his impulses. We tried the behavioral modification and rewards for good behavior but none of it worked. So, we had him formally assessed like a lot of parents do because most ethical pediatricians and psychiatrist will not prescribe meds based solely on a parent or teacher's observations. So, PP, I think you are misinformed and generalizing.

Yeah, I highly doubt this dipshit actually has a family member with ADD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The real question is, why do so many professionals default to recommending medication before trying other approaches?

Because ADHD is a real condition - and it's not a matter of the child just trying harder.

A PP wrote about over-prescription of statins -- which is also, IMO, just sanctimonious. I take statins, I eat well, get at least some exercise and, without statins, still have high cholestoral. I think that we, as a society, have gone off the deep end because we don't remember that people used to die from lack of vaccines and medications. So now we have measles and whooping cough outbreaks because free-range parents don't want to vaccinate their precious snowflakes and people think of ADHD medication as poison.

Our DS has been on ADHD medication for years. Periodically, he skips/forgets a dose and it gives us a good reminder of why he takes ADHD medication. It's not perfect and we're not one of those families whose child has gone from failing grades to Honor Roll thanks to meds, but he wouldn't be able to function well in school without it.

As for side effects, very few in DS's case. There are times he has had appetite and sleep issues but in general, they've been few and they've been manageable. He's continued to grow normally and he sleeps OK.

[Anonymous]

To answer OP's question:

It really is the side effects. My best friend's son was on ADHD medication for about 10 years. He now has permanent verbal and physical ticks and now that he's off the meds he is obese (was normal weight before). It's enough to make me scared to use them as anything but a last resort if other methods don't work. The medication can be hugely effective, but there is sometimes a cost. It's all about whether the ADHD is severe enough to warrant that risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The real question is, why do so many professionals default to recommending medication before trying other approaches?

Because ADHD is a real condition - and it's not a matter of the child just trying harder.

A PP wrote about over-prescription of statins -- which is also, IMO, just sanctimonious. I take statins, I eat well, get at least some exercise and, without statins, still have high cholestoral. I think that we, as a society, have gone off the deep end because we don't remember that people used to die from lack of vaccines and medications. So now we have measles and whooping cough outbreaks because free-range parents don't want to vaccinate their precious snowflakes and people think of ADHD medication as poison.

Our DS has been on ADHD medication for years. Periodically, he skips/forgets a dose and it gives us a good reminder of why he takes ADHD medication. It's not perfect and we're not one of those families whose child has gone from failing grades to Honor Roll thanks to meds, but he wouldn't be able to function well in school without it.

As for side effects, very few in DS's case. There are times he has had appetite and sleep issues but in general, they've been few and they've been manageable. He's continued to grow normally and he sleeps OK.

Of course ADHD is a real condition. No one said otherwise.

Conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder and depression are frequently treated with exercise, CBT, meditation, etc. There is clear research on the efficacy of those approaches but if they don't work for a particular individual, medication is the next step. It's not the default.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I think it's because taking the meds amounts to admitting their child has actual issues and just isn't brilliant and bored and if they teacher just realized their kid's brilliance, blah, blah, blah.

I think parents who rely on meds as their first option are lazy and aren't up to parenting a creative, smart kid with behavior challenges.

I am an adult with ADD whose mother had a sanctimonious smug attitude just like yours. Unfortunately for me and your kid, ADD is a neurological condition, not an excess of creativity or intelligence, and no amount of super sanctimommy "parenting" will rewire the brain. Would you try to "parent" the diabetes out of your kid?

Medications have completely changed my life and I will never forgive my mom for prioritizing her sanctimony over my need to function. But hey, she was able to tell the other mommies exactly what you've said above... Hope it was worth it for her.

YES, YES, YES. Me too x1000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The real question is, why do so many professionals default to recommending medication before trying other approaches?

Because ADHD is a real condition - and it's not a matter of the child just trying harder.

A PP wrote about over-prescription of statins -- which is also, IMO, just sanctimonious. I take statins, I eat well, get at least some exercise and, without statins, still have high cholestoral. I think that we, as a society, have gone off the deep end because we don't remember that people used to die from lack of vaccines and medications. So now we have measles and whooping cough outbreaks because free-range parents don't want to vaccinate their precious snowflakes and people think of ADHD medication as poison.

Our DS has been on ADHD medication for years. Periodically, he skips/forgets a dose and it gives us a good reminder of why he takes ADHD medication. It's not perfect and we're not one of those families whose child has gone from failing grades to Honor Roll thanks to meds, but he wouldn't be able to function well in school without it.

As for side effects, very few in DS's case. There are times he has had appetite and sleep issues but in general, they've been few and they've been manageable. He's continued to grow normally and he sleeps OK.

But you do realize that is 1 case that you are using to base all your judgement for all kids with ADHD. It worked for my kid. Well for some parents meditation works, diet change, lots of exercise.

Many people with high cholesterol and diabetes just change their diet and it fixes the issue are you saying they should not change their diet and only take meds?

When your son is "off his meds" is he on a special diet, meditating, exercising enough? Does he do behavioral therapy as well as meds?

You may want to realize that your way is not perfect, just the path you have decided to take... one of many options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I think it's because taking the meds amounts to admitting their child has actual issues and just isn't brilliant and bored and if they teacher just realized their kid's brilliance, blah, blah, blah.

I think parents who rely on meds as their first option are lazy and aren't up to parenting a creative, smart kid with behavior challenges.

I am an adult with ADD whose mother had a sanctimonious smug attitude just like yours. Unfortunately for me and your kid, ADD is a neurological condition, not an excess of creativity or intelligence, and no amount of super sanctimommy "parenting" will rewire the brain. Would you try to "parent" the diabetes out of your kid?

Medications have completely changed my life and I will never forgive my mom for prioritizing her sanctimony over my need to function. But hey, she was able to tell the other mommies exactly what you've said above... Hope it was worth it for her.

Yes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The real question is, why do so many professionals default to recommending medication before trying other approaches?

Because ADHD is a real condition - and it's not a matter of the child just trying harder.

A PP wrote about over-prescription of statins -- which is also, IMO, just sanctimonious. I take statins, I eat well, get at least some exercise and, without statins, still have high cholestoral. I think that we, as a society, have gone off the deep end because we don't remember that people used to die from lack of vaccines and medications. So now we have measles and whooping cough outbreaks because free-range parents don't want to vaccinate their precious snowflakes and people think of ADHD medication as poison.

Our DS has been on ADHD medication for years. Periodically, he skips/forgets a dose and it gives us a good reminder of why he takes ADHD medication. It's not perfect and we're not one of those families whose child has gone from failing grades to Honor Roll thanks to meds, but he wouldn't be able to function well in school without it.

As for side effects, very few in DS's case. There are times he has had appetite and sleep issues but in general, they've been few and they've been manageable. He's continued to grow normally and he sleeps OK.

But you do realize that is 1 case that you are using to base all your judgement for all kids with ADHD. It worked for my kid. Well for some parents meditation works, diet change, lots of exercise.

Many people with high cholesterol and diabetes just change their diet and it fixes the issue are you saying they should not change their diet and only take meds?

When your son is "off his meds" is he on a special diet, meditating, exercising enough? Does he do behavioral therapy as well as meds?

You may want to realize that your way is not perfect, just the path you have decided to take... one of many options.

And for "many people" it does not. Same goes for migraine headaches and people who need to wear glasses or hearing aides!

[Anonymous]

I have a first grader with ADHD and his on the lowest dosage possible of Ritalin and he has been for 6 months. I have concerns about increasing his dosage, even though it appears as if he is outgrowing the amount and it is losing its effectiveness. Part of my concern is that I think that the medication works for a couple of years and then loses its effectiveness. He is only 7 and if we keep increasing and increasing it, I am afraid of the side effects but of also having nothing left in our "arsenal" when he really needs it in middle school/high school. So, we are very very conservative with the medication. We are focusing on organization, social and life skills that he will need if he decides to stop taking medication (which happens frequently, I'm told, once kids hit teen years) or it loses it efficacy.

[Anonymous]

My rule of thumb is that the foreseen side effects from not taking the medication are as bad or worse than the foreseen side effects of taking medication. We can't control for how medication affects each individual or a rare side effect. Just what we can foresee based on the our kid and the science.

In our case, we're not there yet-- but if my aggressive seven year old doesn't get a grip on his temper and becomes an aggressive ten year old, we're there. (he doesn't hit anyone besides me, by the way or we would already be there).

[Anonymous]

I am against them for MY kids anyway... My opinion is that there are boys, like mine, who should not be in a typical school. My boys thrive with outdoor time and lots of movement and exercise all day, and hands-on learning. If they were in our local PS or even most privates, they'd probably need to be drugged. So I think that there are sometimes alternatives to the meds, like changing the environment to suit the kid. My boys are now actually a lot calmer than many of their schooled peers; I don't think it's good for the kids' brains to be forced to sit all day and passively learn. But I really don't go around judging other people's choices, so I'm not "anti-medication" for all.

[Anonymous]

Because research has shown that there are few long-term benefits of stimulant meds while there are real side effects.

Non-stimulant meds are relatively new to the market and there is not as much research on the benefits or risks.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks so much for all the feedback. Keep it coming.

We are facing this decision for a first grader. I am past the denial phase and moved into the realization that he has some kind of problem. Yes he is an active boy as PP mentioned but every single teacher notes that his behavior is out of the norm. In a smaller class or with one on one he would be fine. In a class with 20 kids and many distractions no so much.

He knows he is not doing well at school with his behavior and I am sure he is not learning as much as he could. But he is doing OK which would be fine with me except that he wants to do better and cannot. Its hard to watch. He is seeing a psychologist but there is only so much talking you can do with a 6 year old that has much impact.