Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longterm effects.....?
Unknown.

There are longterm side effects for those who do not take meds. Maturity and learning is greatly delayed.

We're not medicating. We're coping without it. I don't condemn people who do medicate, but I think there are good reasons NOT to medicate.

Forcing the brain to mature that way may not be helpful. Late maturation of the prefrontal cortex may have a point. Gifted kids ALSO have late prefrontal maturation. ADHD seems to include a capacity for more creativity and rapid decision making.

http://eideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/cognition-without-control-adhd-gifted.html

http://eideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/adhd-creativity-and-reduced-inhibition.html

http://eideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/is-impulsivity-bad-thing.html

And medication is not the end all/be all. Medication doesn't seem to improve long term outcomes.

http://eideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/adhd-drugs-no-long-term-benefits.html

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2009/short-term-intensive-treatment-not-likely-to-improve-long-term-outcomes-for-children-with-adhd.shtml

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Longterm effects.....?
Unknown.

There are longterm side effects for those who do not take meds. Maturity and learning is greatly delayed.

You forgot to mention the disproportionate number of people with ADHD in the prison population.

Anonymous wrote:Longterm effects.....?
Unknown.

There are longterm side effects for those who do not take meds. Maturity and learning is greatly delayed.

Anonymous wrote:Oh it's real. A lot if ADHD kids can't take mess because there so skinny and don't weight enough. The kids who eat like there is no tomorrow but burn it just by fidgeting.

DS cannot learn without his meds. I finally got diagnosed at age 46 after a whole life of wondering what the hell was wrong with me. I can literally feel the light turn on when I take them and I know when I forget to take them! huge difference. I wish I had been diagnosed and medicated as a child, my academic life would have been more successful.

I do not believe in drugging peoplr. ADHD is made up.

Well said, PP. Treat as necessary and not in a vacuum. Meds in addition to supplemental behavioral and/or cognitive therapy or executive functioning tutoring.

ADHD is very real and, on the whole, not over-diagnosed or over-medicated. Are there people who game the system to get the medication? Certainly. Are there populations where it is diagnosed because other factors aren't accounted for? Certainly. Does that mean it deserves the scorn and condemnation that it frequently receives? No way.

I'm so very glad my DSs are receiving appropriate treatment. My brothers weren't so lucky and the consequences have been horrific.

Anonymous wrote:NP here. Is huge appetite but skinny a sign of ADHD? I have a kid like that (along with many other impulsive/ hyperactive symptoms). Was told its not quite enough for ADHD diagnosis though. Having just been through this it seems pretty subjective. A few more Oftens vs Sometimes on the rating scales probably would have gotten him diagnosed.

In my experience they are eating so much food because their body's burn it so fast because they are so hyper and move around so much. Some kids just jump literally jump all the time and can't stop.

Of course its real.

I can only speak for my kids. It is real and the medication makes their lives and mine and DH's life so much more enjoyable.

Longterm effects.....?
Unknown.

NP here. Is huge appetite but skinny a sign of ADHD? I have a kid like that (along with many other impulsive/ hyperactive symptoms). Was told its not quite enough for ADHD diagnosis though. Having just been through this it seems pretty subjective. A few more Oftens vs Sometimes on the rating scales probably would have gotten him diagnosed.

who cares, if the medicine is helping him?

Oh it's real. A lot if ADHD kids can't take mess because there so skinny and don't weight enough. The kids who eat like there is no tomorrow but burn it just by fidgeting.

I have such mixed feelings. I have one Dc on meds, it helps. Another dc is likely headed down same path as teachers want an evaluation. Thoughts?