As for the OP, I don't think the validity of treatment needs to be debated. Kid's too young. Period.
It might be that kids parents were on drugs/medication for long time...genes might be altered....
I'm one of those LUCKY, who was born in USSR...we didn't have some material(electronics...etc) things that our age kids had that were born in West, but we didn't have mental, many medical problems and MOST important - DEPRESSION
Does anyone look deppresed on these photos
This organization is the bible on adverse affects of meds.
http://www.cchrint.org/
They have a database you can search, too.
That's strange. Caffeine should exacerbate the distraction issues....
After much ado, we've started our 5-yo son on Focalin. The difference is night and day, even with the lowest possible dose.
Presumably there are some young adults here who grew up (or parents of those kids) who have had experience with the drug or drugs in it's class. I'm curious how do you feel about it, many years in?
It might be that kids parents were on drugs/medication for long time...genes might be altered....
I'm one of those LUCKY, who was born in USSR...we didn't have some material(electronics...etc) things that our age kids had that were born in West, but we didn't have mental, many medical problems and MOST important - DEPRESSION
Does anyone look deppresed on these photos
The whole point of this thread was to get opinions from people who had been on these drugs long term, starting in childhood.
Medication at this age is a concern to me, but so is Myxolydian's early point about what are the consequences of NOT helping him right now.
That said, I'm thoroughly enjoying the wild assumptions and baseless attacks on my parenting. We read plenty of books together; we eat well; we've tried other strategies prior to this. I don't consider myself 'done' now that I've got a prescription. So, yeah.
It might be that kids parents were on drugs/medication for long time...genes might be altered....
I'm one of those LUCKY, who was born in USSR...we didn't have some material(electronics...etc) things that our age kids had that were born in West, but we didn't have mental, many medical problems and MOST important - DEPRESSION
Does anyone look deppresed on these photos
The worst is not the meds its, the special treatment and the sense of entitlement these children are given. How they are given extra time on test and assignments. This is very damaging to them and society.
I don't have much to add to the discussion of medications at this point; I am curious about a few things, though OP.
At what age did your child start watching TV/cartoons, even if just plopped in front for some entertainment while parents were watching/dinner was being eaten/etc.? Also, does your child have any handheld gaming device (smart phone/game system/etc.) that he plays?
Of course the difference is night and day. Give any 5 year old those drugs and it will be a night and day difference in thier behavior.
What exactly is the problem with your 5 year old that requires the use of a psychotropic drug? Focalin has not been approved by the FDA for 5 year olds.
As much as I dislike it, my wife is one of those people who turns on the TV as soon as she gets up, even if she has no intention to watch; she likes the background noise. Typically it's just the news.
We let him watch cartoons for a limited amount of time (typically no more than 30 minutes) starting around probably around age 2. Too young, I know. Hindsight. He'll take 'screen time' any chance he gets - totally different from his older sister, who's in the same environment and got cartoons at a similar age/exposure level.
We got a Fire last year. There are a number of games on it, mostly educational (though it hasn't always been this way). Use time crept up to almost an hour/day, most days at one point and we've drastically cut back on it. For months it's been ~30 minutes on weekends only.
I'm crystal clear that this may be our fault in whole or - more likely imo - in part. I believe at least part of this is genetic; many of the behaviors I see in him remind me of myself at his age. I'm interested in saving him some of that stress.
Yep. But is the difference a change from constant class and team sport disruptions and constant distraction to active, happy participation?
It's not turning him into a zombie.
Trust me, I'm reticent about the medication; I'm one of those weirdos who actively avoids pills as a rule. But as I've mentioned before in this thread, I see my kid having a hard time doing the this thread and it's my job to do whatever I can.
I've only found out about the age recommendation through this thread (but had similar reservations before it). We're just a few weeks from 6, and he's a big kid, so perhaps that figured in. I'm looking at the FDA guide and digging up studies currently.
His issues are, as redundant as it seems to type out, attention centered. If the activity is something super active, he's fine. If it's something he likes and requires concentration (coloring and Lego, mostly) he can stick with it. Outside that, he struggles. He loves playing soccer and basketball - can't wait to go to practice/games but once there if he's idle on the field or bench for 30 seconds, he completely loses focus to the extent the pack of kids with the ball could rumble right past him without him noticing. Afterward he's upset with himself over it. Not for long, but he is.
It's challenging him similarly socially and scholastically. He's a bright kid; a natural problem and puzzle solver. I don't think he (or all kids, as alluded above) needs to get As but I also don't think he deserves to fall (farther) behind because I didn't act when I should have.
I know what you're thinking - he's a 5(almost 6)-year old. And a boy. But I've been watching him among his peers for a long time and it's just not in the same league.
Directly in opposition to those (who don't know any better) claiming that children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD are just displaying normal behavior like all the other kids, most parents seeking help for their child are exactly in your shoes. They (and often others such as teachers, coaches, other family members) have observed their child exhibiting problems that most other children are NOT, and while the child may have more or less severe problems depending on the context or activity, they have noticed a clear pattern that exists through multiple contexts, be it in sports, learning an instrument, playing games, reading, in the classroom, or at home.It's challenging him similarly socially and scholastically. He's a bright kid; a natural problem and puzzle solver. I don't think he (or all kids, as alluded above) needs to get As but I also don't think he deserves to fall (farther) behind because I didn't act when I should have.
I know what you're thinking - he's a 5(almost 6)-year old. And a boy. But I've been watching him among his peers for a long time and it's just not in the same league.
Said by my friend: "I don't need any of that antidepressant bullshit"And then you have the ones who actually do refuse the treatment, claim they are doing just fine by their own force of will, while their life is actually a pretty sad state of dysfunction, which they conceal from everyone.
Said by my friend: "I don't need any of that antidepressant bullshit"
He spends thousands of dollars per year on marijuana. Antidepressants are cheap and they are covered by insurance, so they would cost about $100/year in comparison.
As much as I dislike it, my wife is one of those people who turns on the TV as soon as she gets up, even if she has no intention to watch; she likes the background noise. Typically it's just the news.
We let him watch cartoons for a limited amount of time (typically no more than 30 minutes) starting around probably around age 2. Too young, I know. Hindsight. He'll take 'screen time' any chance he gets - totally different from his older sister, who's in the same environment and got cartoons at a similar age/exposure level.
We got a Fire last year. There are a number of games on it, mostly educational (though it hasn't always been this way). Use time crept up to almost an hour/day, most days at one point and we've drastically cut back on it. For months it's been ~30 minutes on weekends only.
I'm crystal clear that this may be our fault in whole or - more likely imo - in part. I believe at least part of this is genetic; many of the behaviors I see in him remind me of myself at his age. I'm interested in saving him some of that stress.
Yep. But is the difference a change from constant class and team sport disruptions and constant distraction to active, happy participation?
It's not turning him into a zombie.
Trust me, I'm reticent about the medication; I'm one of those weirdos who actively avoids pills as a rule. But as I've mentioned before in this thread, I see my kid having a hard time doing the this thread and it's my job to do whatever I can.
I've only found out about the age recommendation through this thread (but had similar reservations before it). We're just a few weeks from 6, and he's a big kid, so perhaps that figured in. I'm looking at the FDA guide and digging up studies currently.
His issues are, as redundant as it seems to type out, attention centered. If the activity is something super active, he's fine. If it's something he likes and requires concentration (coloring and Lego, mostly) he can stick with it. Outside that, he struggles. He loves playing soccer and basketball - can't wait to go to practice/games but once there if he's idle on the field or bench for 30 seconds, he completely loses focus to the extent the pack of kids with the ball could rumble right past him without him noticing. Afterward he's upset with himself over it. Not for long, but he is.
It's challenging him similarly socially and scholastically. He's a bright kid; a natural problem and puzzle solver. I don't think he (or all kids, as alluded above) needs to get As but I also don't think he deserves to fall (farther) behind because I didn't act when I should have.
I know what you're thinking - he's a 5(almost 6)-year old. And a boy. But I've been watching him among his peers for a long time and it's just not in the same league.