Aa
Living with a child with ADD
My daughter is 13 years old. She was recently put on the drug Concerta 36mg. Since she has been on the medication I have seen dramatic improvements. Before she was forgettable, not considered towards others, grades were very poor and barely passing, cruel towards our dog (at times), daydreaming, always moving around, fiddling, etc. Now she is getting honor roll, she is more calm, respectable, and open with her feelings. I was against putting her on any type of medicine until her moods, and actions were so unbearable I could not take it anymore. I was afraid that she would make bad choices in life and fail at school. This was my last resort and since she has been on the medicine her, our relationship, grades, and quality of life is MUCH BETTER. A lot of people are against medication and don't believe in ADD or ADHD. I WAS one of those people. Now that we are at this stage I do have a lot of unanswered questions and concerns.
The first one is that every once in a while I do not give her the medication for a day or two. When she is NOT on her medication I see such a difference in everything about her. She eats so much. She says really rude things and is very hyper and disrespectful. Our family also sees a difference in her behavior. She is even hard to tolerate at times.
I want to know why is she only tolerable when she is medicated? How long will she have to be on this medicine. Is she doing well in school because of the medicine or what I don't understand. Is the medicine her personality. How will this effect her long term?
I don't want her to be on the medicine every single day because I want her to eat a little more and get a break but when she is not on it I don't want to be around her.
How will this medicine effect her later on in her adult years? How long will she have to be on it?
The first one is that every once in a while I do not give her the medication for a day or two. When she is NOT on her medication I see such a difference in everything about her. She eats so much. She says really rude things and is very hyper and disrespectful. Our family also sees a difference in her behavior. She is even hard to tolerate at times.
I want to know why is she only tolerable when she is medicated? How long will she have to be on this medicine. Is she doing well in school because of the medicine or what I don't understand. Is the medicine her personality. How will this effect her long term?
I don't want her to be on the medicine every single day because I want her to eat a little more and get a break but when she is not on it I don't want to be around her.
How will this medicine effect her later on in her adult years? How long will she have to be on it?
"No, the concerta is NOT her personality. It just helps make the balls bounce around one at a time like they should."
that's a great way to explain it!
that's a great way to explain it!
I'm not a doctor but I've spent most of my career teaching middle school kids so I'll try my best to help....
The average 13 year old is in a state of turmoil most of the time....not a kid....not an adult...want to play with dolls....want to date ganstas They are frequently rude, disrespectful and hard to tolerate. Now throw in a little ADD!!!
Think of the ADD brain like a pinball machine....with the little balls all bouncing around at the same time. No wonder they are disorganized and hyper!
No, the concerta is NOT her personality. It just helps make the balls bounce around one at a time like they should. They feel more organized and focused....they feel more in control so life is good.
No one can predict how long your daughter will need the medication. Maybe, as she matures, she can take medication "holidays" on weekends or during the summer. Talk to her doctor for advice about this.
Concerta is the same drug as ritalin but in extended release form. Ritalin has been used for many years.
As an adult, your daughter will have to decide for herself but that's a long way off.
Advice from a stranger who's raised a teenage girl....Relax and enjoy the success of today for all too soon you'll be shopping for a prom dress!!!! :)
The average 13 year old is in a state of turmoil most of the time....not a kid....not an adult...want to play with dolls....want to date ganstas They are frequently rude, disrespectful and hard to tolerate. Now throw in a little ADD!!!
Think of the ADD brain like a pinball machine....with the little balls all bouncing around at the same time. No wonder they are disorganized and hyper!
No, the concerta is NOT her personality. It just helps make the balls bounce around one at a time like they should. They feel more organized and focused....they feel more in control so life is good.
No one can predict how long your daughter will need the medication. Maybe, as she matures, she can take medication "holidays" on weekends or during the summer. Talk to her doctor for advice about this.
Concerta is the same drug as ritalin but in extended release form. Ritalin has been used for many years.
As an adult, your daughter will have to decide for herself but that's a long way off.
Advice from a stranger who's raised a teenage girl....Relax and enjoy the success of today for all too soon you'll be shopping for a prom dress!!!! :)
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the ADHD Community
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Yummy eats that will keep your child healthy and happy
What to expect in your growing baby
Is the PS3 the new Prozac … or causing ADHD in your kid?
Autism expert Dr. Richard Graff weighs in on the vaccine-autism media scandal.
Could your home be a haven for toxins that can cause ADHD?
