ADD in teen boys

[Nancyz123]

Hi there.  I have a 13 year old boy, who is very intelligent, and was recently diagnosed with ADD.  I have been going around and around trying to figure out what is best for him.  Do I prescribe him prescription drugs and take the risk of him becoming hooked on them, or do I try and medicate him naturally with homeopathic medicine?  I see the advantages in both, but not sure what is actually best.  His grades and behavior have definitely fallen drastically!  It is something that needs to get a under control quickly!  I also want to be fair to him and give him what he needs to make sure he succeeds!  I realize that every child is different, but  can anyone give me a little insight of what is the best thing to do.  Please help

[allmymarbles]

Whenever a child does poorly in school, they jump on ADD or ADHD. There could be so many reasons for this performance. Some children just decide they hate school. I had one like that. Another one of mine was in a school that was too permissive for him. I switched him to a school that had more structure and he was happy and ultimately became a star pupil. Some children are on sugar diets.... I could go on and on.

[kirk8]

I have ADD without hyperactivity just like your son.  My mom would have described me in pretty much the same way you described your son.  She struggled with the decision weather or not to put me on medication.  She did for a few years when I was in elementary school and during those years my grades and behavior improved considerably.  By 4th grade she decided to take me off them because she thought that I had "coped" with my learning disability.  

I was very knowledgeable as a youngster and elementary and jr high are not academically rigorous.  So, I did well for a few years but I believe I would have learned more and been a lot more successful had I still been taking medication.

I didn't do to well in high school and after I dropped out of college I decided to go back on meds.  I don't think I would have ever dropped out had I been properly medicated.

You do hear stories of abuse and dependence on ADD medication.  In my opinion these stories are overblown.  I've never known someone who "truly" had ADD to abuse these medications (although some have of course).  

Many people, myself included, who have ADD don't really like to take our medication.  It took me years before I really got accustomed to taking it all the time and stopped skipping doses.  I think that people who don't have ADD are far more likely to abuse and become dependent on ADD meds.

I'm doing much better now.  I have a 3.76 GPA at a community college and will be transferring to a university soon. Based on my experience, I think you should have your doctor prescribe medication for your son. If you don't it may hold him back.

[Nancyz123]

Thank you very much for your response... I am seeking a second opinion.  His grades have been falling drastically since 5th grade.  I am not surprised with the diagnosis but am weary.  I don't feel comfortable with the doctor that diagnosed him.

[allmymarbles]

Does he daydream? Is he inattentive, distracted?  Is he taking more interest in his appearance? More interest in pop music? Is his circle of friends changing?

Has anyone suggested puberty as a diagnosis? Note that on one diagnosed him with ADD when he was younger. The condition seemed to come on suddenly -- with puberty. Unless there are serious problems (if there are, you have not mentioned them), I would be wary of a diagnosis of ADD at this age. You might want to seek a second opinion.