Someone with a child with ADHD and an athlete takes medication and it affects their performance?

[Mmariottini]

I have 3 children diagnosed with ADHD. 2 of them, boys, are agitated and get nervous with Vyvanse and/or Ritalin, especially when they are playing tennis. they become impatient and very angry. I'm sad, because few doctors in Brazil are specialists in ADHD. I can see the diference from the comments I see here.

My dougher seems to be more productive, however, impatient and intolerant. She stops being happy and fun, as usually is. In the game, she says she is more focused, but she seems more anxious to me. There are so few studies on sport and ADHD. We are lost and my children ask us not to take the medication anymore. Impulsiveness with attitudes and words marks life, especially for my boys. Can anyone help me?

[Onthemove1971]

Yes, our son is now 18 years old and plays a Divison 1 sport in college. I recommend you have them see a Child Psychiatrist.

There are different kinds of medications. Stimulate, non-stimulant and medication that help with Anixeity.

Our son has taken medication since 2nd grade. Many times he can not tell if he has taken the medication, he just know he does much better when he takes it.

It would help to have a special doctor meet them and help them understand why medication is very important.

Medication helps with both team sports and individual sports.

When they take the correct medication 60% of the symptoms ( impulsive behavior, excessive talking, lack of focus, etc) go away, which helps them be more successful.

Hope this helps.

[Mmariottini in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you so much!

My son is Tennis player And he really loves Tennis , but all sintoma are mixing with his age And sometimes is too hard to decide what to do .

He is very insecure to take meds And

Could you olease tel me

What Med does your son take?

When he is playing does he have anxiety ?

His personality is normal ir stays normal when he take Med?

For us is impossible to take Med only to study couse he practice Tennis every day And We notice strong side efects when he drinks in the morning And has to go to Tennis class ir more tired or more nervous

Thank you do much !

[Redpanda5]

My son played sports up into college. He played better if he didn’t take the meds prior to practices and games. He loved his sport and it was his “hyper focus” so he didn’t need his stimulant during those times —- just for school.

I would ask them why they don’t want to take the meds. Ask them how it makes them feel and then work with the doctor to find a medication that works for each of them. It may be that the dose is too high or that the type of medication is wrong for them. Everyone is different. If they are more a part of the process they will be more engaged with finding what works.

You also may ask the doctor to give them a genetic test to determine which medications are metabolized the best for them. Genomind or Genesight are two more common tests.

Child psychiatrists are best if available.