ADHD Weekly -- Should We Include Medication in Our Child’s ADHD Treatment?

[KarenADHDWeekly]

Question to CHADD Helpline: My son’s mother and I preferred behavioral management to address our son’s ADHD symptoms. We have been diligent in schedules, routines, and reinforcing the good behaviors we see. But no matter how hard we try and how well we co-parent, it only seems to help so much, and then there are meltdowns at home and calls from the school. We’ve talked with his doctor and think we’re ready for a medication trial.

Medication for ADHD is back in the news, and I’ve heard people say it can be risky. I’ve heard it can keep a boy from reaching his full height. Or that families rely on it too much. Is medication for ADHD worth the risk?

Read our Health Information Specialist's response at chadd.org/adhd-news/adhd-ne...

[Mamamichl]

it is definitely worth the risk. My partner can’t get anything done without it and both of us wish we had it when we were school aged. Had we had medicine and good therapy as kids, I would have had less anxiety and learned better social skills with peers, and my partner would have been able to focus better and not react emotionally as he did. We both would have been less weird at school.

Medicine doesn’t cure all symptoms, but it does help around 68% of symptoms if on the right med. the average person has to try 4.2 meds to find the right fit, and the best success is a mix of a good diet (without artificial dyes), good therapy/adhd coaching and medication. My counselor says it will take my kid longer to do better and learn the skills the longer she is without meds. Her last doc refused altogether but should have retired 10 years ago. Over medication can be as bad as not enough, so talk with your doc about your options. You can also start with a wholistic doc and a therapist to ry the vitamin route, but it is generally less successful. Don’t get me wrong, it does help, but the best treatment for any condition is a variety of avenues.

[Elijah1]

Medication has the greatest impact on the core symptoms of ADHD. use the behavioral strategies to take advantage of the medication effect and to learn the 'good habits'. Medication has been used for decades and is not 'risky' when used appropriately (remember, even water is risky if you drink too much).