Psychiatrist question

[SunshineF]

what’s the earliest age a child can see a psychiatrist for prescribed medication?

[JJMom16]

It likely depends on the doctor, the child, and the type of medication. Our Pediatrician wouldn't prescribe ADHD meds under 6, for example, because of the overlap in symptoms between ADHD and developmentally normal kids at young ages.

For my son, he was diagnosed by a child psychiatrist with ADHD at 4.5, and prescribed Ritalin. We followed with a Neuropsychology evaluation at 5 (appointments were booked out) that diagnosed ADHD and Anxiety.

Most ADHD meds aren't studied/approved for kids under 6, but it doesn't mean that a doctor will not prescribe them.

[SunshineF in reply to JJMom16]

thank you! We’re working with my son’s developmental pediatrician and she prescribed medicine but we weren’t sure if he should also be seeing a psychiatrist and if it was even possible due to his age. Did Ritalin help your son at 4.5?

[JJMom16 in reply to SunshineF]

I would highly recommend a child psychiatrist. They are far more knowledgeable than a Pediatrician, and it can take several months to find out what medications work best. I'd also encourage you to get a Neuropsych evaluation. ADHD often has comorbid conditions, like Anxiety.

Ritalin did help us initially, but we ended up stopping it due to side effects (weight loss/lack of growth, anger/outbursts, "rebound" effect, all which were not immediately noticeable.) Once we solved the Anxiety piece, we were able to go without stimulants and use Guanfacine.

Best of luck. It's so hard to know what to do, especially with a very young child!