Impulsive 13 year old

[Caden2005]

My son was diagnosed with adhd a few years ago. All the drs quickly want to medicate him but I've been avoiding it like the plague. His recent troubles in school are due to his impulsivity. A new dr recommended first changing his diet and omega3. I mentioned this to the school social worker and she basically told me it won't work and he needs meds. I worry about the side effects and long term effects of medication. I'm just so, SO at a loss.

[ng24]

Don’t give up! My son does well with Adderall XR and a supplement that is all natural and approved by the FDA for ADHD. It’s called Vayarin. As of last November you can get it direct without a prescription

Please click on this link

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[BlueAndGoldWarrior]

Absolutely try with exercise and diet first!!! They are Super important! Also keep a journal of exercise and diet because it will show you what works and what makes it worse.

If that doesn't work ENOUGH (because it will help a lot) only when the worse part of not being medicated (very low grades, very bad social behavior, zero friends) becomes worse than the side effects of ANY medication (each is different but, for stimulants are loss of appetite, imsomnia, (then sleepy at school), slowing of growth and anxiety), THEN start with drugs.

We, as parents, have to choose the lesser evil...

In my case, I decided to sail the early years without drugs and started when he was 10/11 because the emotional toll of his poor social life was too hard for him. (And me going to the sch2 during the morning to help him one on one was becoming harder to do with a job).

Medication helps a lot too BUT I would STILL do the exercise, diet AND keep the journal.

Now, at 13 I think the poor child deserves the medication hands down. He's a young man now...

Don't be scared about it. Start low and see how it goes. I give mine Biphentin and a very low dose (only 20 mg and only on school days). He's now learning to administer it himself like if he doesn't want it when it will be an easy day. Is his condition, his life, and he has to learn how to take care of himself sooner or later, right? So I respect his decision.

[AngelamarieQ]

Seems like is time for medication and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Don’t be afraid to help your child through medicine. He’ll be less impulsive and he’ll do better academically and socially at school and at home.

I knew my child had ADHD since she was 2. Of course, you have to wait until age 6 to get a definitive diagnosis since by that age, kids are supposed to start regulating, themselves, their impulsivity, concentration and distractibility.

My husband was in denial and completely opposed to medicating our daughter, until 3 months ago.

Our daughter cried out to her father, “ I don’t want to be different” . I want to do my homework, I want to do good. I want to have friends! “ . Only then, he accepted the fact that she, indeed, had ADHD and needed medication and therapy.

She is not presenting the usual side effects such as: loss of appetite, headaches, stomach pain, etc. However, I saw an increase in defiant behavior which is hard to tell if it comes from the med or her hormonal changes at this age.

She is in Focalin 15mg XL.

She is doing much better at school and initiating her homework with no fights. Her concentration has improved significantly, her impulsivity has curbed down and we see a positive outcome that outweighs the negatives of using medication.

Best of luck!

[Jackieedunn]

I, too struggle with this daily. My husband and I finally decided to go the medication route accompanied by a cleaner diet and omega 3. Although it is always on my mind about long term effects, I have to admit the good outweighs the bad and teachers have finally realized just how smart and how much potential he really has. Remember you’re not married to the meds. If you decide to go that route your son can come off of them at any time.

[Caden2005]

Meds really scare me! He also refuses to even take the omega pills I got for him. Ugh. This is so hard.

[Ldydy24]

I totally agree with the others. Exercise does help to get their energy out but I have had no luck with diet. Medicine is the only thing that changed our lives. Finding the rights meds is not an easy task so the sooner you start the better. ADHD is s medical condition and if your child’s is severe enough then the meds are needed. I also didn’t want to give my child meds but with no impulse control And unable to focus in school I had no choice. Like the dr told me if your child had diabetes and needs insulin you would make sure they took it. It took us 3 yrs to find the right medicine. Now my son is an A/B student in a Catholic school ! He’s a totally different kid on meds and on the weekend we given him a smaller dose if he doesn’t have to interact with peers. You didn’t mention how old your son is but mine is 13 and I can’t imagjne him not being on meds especially going through the teenage years. I highly encourage you to give the meds a try.