ADHD

[amIblue?]

I really appreciate all of your stories. I can't tell you how much I do appreciate the time you spent to share.

My personal approach when faced with a problem is to collect as much info as I possibly can about whatever the issue may be and then come up with a plan of action.

I will not lie and say that the thought of giving my child medication doesn't give me serious and significant pause. I'm not against medications, but I am worried about the effects they may have both in the present and in the future. My child is bright and imaginative and generally awesome, and I don't want her to turn into a zombie. I also don't want her to struggle academically or socially if there's anything reasonable that can be done to help her.

Currently, it appears to be more of an academic struggle for her than anything; ADHD was really not on my radar when we started the whole process. I thought that it was a possibility, but not likely because her behavior really isn't a problem. Maybe once or twice a month at school she'll get in trouble for talking when she shouldn't be or not following directions. I'm sure there are perfect kids in the world, but I think her behavior is typical.

I'm starting to line my ducks up in a row to figure out what our plan will be if I'm not happy with our consultation with her pediatrician and where we'll go next. (I always like to have a plan b at a minimum if not plan c, d, and e.) I will not be OK with a short office visit and a prescription.

I've got some chocolate covered espresso beans, and I'm going to try one this weekend to see if 1. I can get her to eat it and 2. to see if I can tell any difference with her.

Again, thank you all so very much.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

KDCat hit the nail on the head when she said there's no clear right answer.

Absolutely agree.

Originally Posted by amIblue?

My personal approach when faced with a problem is to collect as much info as I possibly can about whatever the issue may be and then come up with a plan of action.

I will not lie and say that the thought of giving my child medication doesn't give me serious and significant pause. I'm not against medications, but I am worried about the effects they may have both in the present and in the future. My child is bright and imaginative and generally awesome, and I don't want her to turn into a zombie. I also don't want her to struggle academically or socially if there's anything reasonable that can be done to help her.

I think your approach and your balancing question are spot on. Just want to throw one more thing in the mix, from our experience. As I said, we resisted medication for a while. When our son did go on it, my wife's comment was "I have my son back!" Rather than making him feel like a zombie, the meds grounded him—I don't know a better way to describe it—and we started seeing the happy (usually), imaginative kid that the hyperactivity had squelched.

Others' mileage may certainly vary, but we've found that over the years, our son has generally felt better with the meds. Doesn't mean we want him to be on them forever, or that he does. But they've been a great help in giving him space and ability to develop other coping skills and mechanisms.

So all that is to say, even after you've made a decision, don't be afraid to revisit, reassess and try something different if you don't like where you are.