Any advice about ADHD? Should a 7 year old receive medication?
Answers:
irrespective of what all ignorants think and say
ADHD is not a disease.
it is a mental disorder from which I personally suffer
I can imagin what you are probably going through as his behaviour is irratic he acts like he's dosed up on cafein etc.
First of all i'll say that the diagnose of ADHD is thrown around way to easily these days.
To explain in brief ADHD is a mental disorder which can be best described as the brain runnning in overdrive this causes the front lobe responsable for controlling the brain functions to lose control
(try to compare it to driving on a 50MPH road at 150 i'm sure you'd miss a few signs and side streets to)
As for the meds BE VERY CAREFULL doctors these days are throwing around prescriptions for Ritalin or Concerta like they were candy!! These are very serious drugs and any one thats ever used them will tell you the same STAY THE HELL AWAY from them i've taken them and a few of the fellow sufferers I know feel exactly the same they are basicly amfetamines and have very harmful side effects something I wouldn't expose a growing child to. Believe me when I say feeling the symptoms of heart failure is no laughing matter for anyone. IT totally alters the brain chemistry and makes you feel hollow inside. As I said if you've never taken them you could'nt possibly know what it does but it does no good!! Best bet would be to take him to a homeopathic doctor they can prescribe you herbal preparations
that will probably help him get along in life a little better without ruining(my neice takes them and gets along fine can't remember the name though) I can only wish you good luck and please be understanding on the little guy/girl because it can get tough
PS if you need some advice on some one who's been there done that don't hesitate to contact me always happy to help fellow sufferers
try the home remedy and cut out fizzy drinks and all the EEEEs in their diet, just try it
If he/she needs it, yes. New meds like Daytrana (a patch) are excellent for children. You would not withhold medication if they had asthma, would you?
If it;s diagnosed by a physician, than YES by all means. Why should kids have to suffer from bad grades and being branded as troublemakers just because they have a chemical imbalance and parents still have hang-ups against psychiatry?
cod liver oil is a recommended for children with adhd .. just make sure its for kids..
aslo my son used to be on ritalin . he told me he didnt like the way it made him feel and so i put a stop to it .
there is ADH nasal spray u can use, and try to reduce fluid intake before sleep
Absolutely not!!! Just cut out sugar in his diet and put him on a schedule.
It's an individual choice. There is no blanket answer. Meds can be helpful when the behavior is beginning to interfere with school and other activities. Diet is important as well as discipline, meaning redirecting and retraining on how to remain focused. Combination approach works best.
It really depends. First and foremost, the child needs a complete evaluation done by a medical doctor who treats children with ADHD (NOT from a teacher's recommendation!). Some pediatricians do it, others prefer you to see a pediatric neurologist. They will do the evaluation and then discuss with you the treatment options. Some kids can get away with some lifestyle changes, others need medication. The point is to make the decision with an educated professional to determine what is right for your particular case.
I would discuss this with a consultant or specialist in this area. However as a parent of a son that's Dyspraxic I have heard that taking fish oil supplements can be highly beneficial for sufferers of ADHD.
ADHD is so over rated! I'm tried of so many kids being diagnosed with it and put on medications. Kids need to be stimulated not sedated. Every child who's a little hyper (which kids aren't) has to be labeled ADHD. Give me a break! If THAT'S the case, the whole world should have ADD, after 30-60 minutes of the same thing I get bored, that's normal. Do I have ADD? No.
Your kid is 7, try some good old fashioned discipline. It's the best medicine and you'll kid will thank you for it later.
A regular routine is important for their mental stability. My adhd grandson responds well to predictable activities and daily schedules. Medication is a personal decision.
Down side is that he hasn't figured out how to sleep-in on the weekends!! Oh well, ..
I am a 25 year old nursing student, and i don't believe in medicating children. My best advice to you is get a second and third opinion. Try to find a way to fix the problem without resorting to medicating a baby. There are programs that work with children with disabilities and other problems. Ask each doctor what thir best plan on attack would involve without medicating them! i have seen what addictiond for from medicating children for add and the problems that can occur because of medicating. If there are no other options then do what you think is best
I think that is a serious decision that should take place between the parents and a trusted doctor.You may even want to consider a second or even third opinion. I don't like my kids being put on meds. unless absolutely necessarily.
The drugs are powerful enough to knock an adult into lala land, do you really want to medicate y our child without at least a second opinion? Did you know that every two out of three kids who get drugged up because of ADHD do not really have ADHD and did not need the drugs? What do they need? Tey need correct nutrition and effective parenting. When we were growing up, no one ever heard of ADHD and we weren't medicating our children.so what is up these days? That should get you into calling around and finding a better way than controlling your kid via narcotics and dooming them to a life of addiction and behavior problems. If you love your child you will seek every alternative before surrending your child to a life of drug addiction.
My daughter was diagnosed with severe ADHD at the age of 6 she has been on medication which is monitored closely by her Doctor. She is now 8 I choose to keep her on medication because with out it the teachers labeled her a bad child, also thought her behavior was because of problems at home. They were amazed after she was put on medication and apologized to me and said she was a complete different child. She in 1st grade was reading at a kindergarten level and three months on medication was reading at a 2end grade level and her grades improved dramatically. Every situation is different I also have my daughter in therapy to help with her behavior because the medication helps her slow down but it is not a cure, so to help her understand her behavior and how to keep in focus and calm.
I also want to note that I have 4 other children and they are not ADHD, I have seen people talk about diet etc. I have tried everything for her and the Doctor explain it is a chemical imbalance. Every case is different you can't cluster them together.
my little sis is on ritalin and she was only eight wen she started. no e numbers or fizzy drinks too
yep.
Well, it may beneficial for school purposes.if he/she is having a difficult time functioning in the classroom then there really isn't much learning taking place. I can't stress enough how important it is to work closely with your child's school staff and Dr. to be sure that everything is going well and your child is only getting the medication he/she really needs. The right balance of support can make all the difference in your child's educational success! I wish you the best of luck!
my son is 7 he has adhd and he is on medication in my opinion it all depends on the severness of the disorder if they should or shouldn't is the child able to do excell in school with out meds if so there really isn't a reason to medicate like i said it just depends on the child
That is a decision that should be made by you and your husband/partner and discussed with a doctor
My son was diagnosed with severe ADHD when he was 9 years old. At first I tried to deal with it without the use of medication but he was becoming much worse and he was also becoming violent towards myself and my daughter. He was way behind at school even though he was statemented. He had no friends due to the symptoms of ADHD which I am sure you are aware of. It got to the stage where I would dread him waking up in the morning and I just wanted him to disappear. With a lot of support from the child psychologist I decided to give ritalin a try. Almost overnight he became this loving boy who could organise himself in the morning, tried hard at school and started for the first time in his life to make friends. He is now nearly 15 years old and studying for his GSCE's. He is no longer statemented as he has not only caught up with his peers but in some subjects is flying above them. I thank god everyday that I decided to give him the medication as it has totally transformed not only his life but mine and my daughters who have to live with him. His main goal in life now is to become an architect and I truly believe he will succeed. I suggest you try your child on medication, it may not work, but if it does it will make such a difference to you and your family. Good luck with whatever you decided - DON'T GIVE UP.
My nephew has the same condition and was prescribed I don't know how to spell it, Ritalin. His Mum didn't like the idea of a "chemical cosh", so his behaviour got worse, trouble with Police, etc., and left school (as he had planned) at age 15. Now, the only reason he has a job is the family firm. My sister-in-law now is of the opinion that he should have got these drugs and who knows, how things may have turned out. He may have stayed in school etc. My symathies go out to you as it is so difficult to deal with this in a child. As a suggestion, I would try the drug and police it very well. Any problems, stop it immediately, but remember without drugs, life will be so difficult. Perhaps you could join a group and share your problem with others. I would do that. GOOD LUCK for the future. xxx
My son started taking it at 6 he is now 11 and has begged me to take him off it, Hes been off it for 3 months and doing very well, He also said he is so much happier. I just watch his sugar intake and keep him busy, hes a great kid and Im glsd he came to me about wanting off the meds!!
It depends on the condition of the child, if its manageable and if the parents can cope.
The interesting thing about ritalin is that it only works for a child that needs it so that's one sure way to know.
Be sure the professional you are working with is very experienced. In fact a "team" of professionals is better to work with. ADHD can be confused with other things like bipolar and asperger's. These things have a range to them and when a person is at the higher end it can be very difficult to get an accurate diagnosis.
Don't ask me how I know. *frown*
My nephew has been on medication since he was 6 and he is now 12, it helps a lot. He was on ritalin but is now on a new type but I do not know the name. This one has less side affects than ritalin, and works just as well.
My sister uses the time out method alot o calm him down when he gets too over excited and that works really well. In fact he now knows when he is getting too much and takes himself out of the situation to calm down.
Watch diet too, sugary drinks and, E numbers should be avoided at all costs!
The hard thing also to deal with is the ignorant people that think ADHD is so overrated and that it is just a label for naughty children. I get so cross when people think it's a label, obviously they have no experience of a child with ADHD. There is a huge difference between a naughty child and a child with ADHD. It is sad that children have to live on medication, but if it helps them to fit in then surely it's for the best. my poor nephew has been bullied so many times because of this disorder, he is desperatley unhappy becuase of it. His teachers can't be bothered with him so his education is suffering. Is this fair for a child?
A good thing to do is get involved with help groups, and Connexions (if in UK) they are great, they work with the families and run activities for the children. My sister also contacted Social Services and they arranged for my nephew to go into respite care once a month (only for the weekend) so that she could have a break and spend time with her two girls.
You've had all the grief about e numbers, but just try observing e numbers and additives, u think ur giving the best with sugar free things but often loaded with artificial colourants try and reduce these, replace. Also stuff like chicken nuggets etc what children love but full of additives/preservatives try fresh stuff if possible and fruit/veg. Also give omega 3 fish oil for kids they come in orange/blackcurrant etc and asda/tesco do cheaper own versions, won't be instant see if change improvement over several weeks/a month. If not medication may b the only option as children get so easily labelled as bad/naughty/parents no control-it will stick all there life. But please try other suggestion 1st without rushing for the Ritalin. Good Luck
are you sure he has adhd,or is he just out of control,? get advice fromhis gp then take his advice.
My sons best friend has ADHD and started taking medication at about 8 he was very wild when he came over to our house but 6mths in to his medication he was like a differant child. Hes now 12 and hes so polite and kind you couldnt wish for a nicer friend to visit,in my veiw the right meds do wonders.
OFTEN COMES WITH A FORM OF AUTISIM CALLED
ASBERGERS SYNDROME
BEST DESCRIBED AS HIGH IQ LOW EQ. ie smart but can't socialise or empathise or read people properly
This totally destroys lives and really surfaces in teenage.
Often making the kid nurd like in lacking social skills necessary to form social relationships especailly with the opposite sex. If you fail to address this long before this time you kid is likely to end up suicidal and self harming or get bullied to the point does a school shooting etc.
IT HAS TO BE DEALT WITH BEFORE TEENAGE and very commonly linked to ADHD
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