Concerns About Medication for ADHD
Parents’ biggest concerns with treating their child with medication for ADHD
I get it, treating your child with medication for ADHD is a big step and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. I have heard several concerns over the years that I wanted to share with you. Read on to learn my feedback to the top 5 concerns regarding medication for ADHD:
My child will become addicted or is then at greater risk for abusing illicit drugs
There is significant evidence to the contrary, that treating ADHD decreases the risk that children and adults with ADHD will self-medicate using illicit drugs. Stimulant medications to treat ADHD can be used safely with appropriate monitoring.
My child won’t be the same kid anymore
A child’s personality should not be changed significantly while on medication to treat ADHD. If your child becomes more anxious, tearful, or zombie-like they likely need a change in medication or dose adjustment. Talk to your provider.
My child will never get off of it
Stimulant medications do not need to be tapered off slowly. Nonstimulant medications should be stopped more slowly over some time. Work together with your provider to decide if discontinuing medication is right for your child.
My child will have negative side effects
Like with any medication, there can be side effects with medications used to treat ADHD. Most common are difficulty sleeping or decreased appetite, particularly with stimulant medications such as Adderall and Ritalin among others. These can often be reduced through dose adjustments and timing of when the medication is taken. Other side effects such as abdominal pain and headaches are often short lived when medication is started. There are other, less common, side effects such as feelings of anxiousness, suicidal thinking, liver damage, heart issues and tics. Your child’s medical history should be reviewed carefully before choosing a medication.
Work closely with your child’s medical provider to ensure the medication is appropriate and safe for your individual child. Your child should have regular visits to monitor weight, growth, blood pressure, heart rate and blood count as well as how the medication is working and how your child feels.
It won’t help
It’s important to remember that medication for ADHD does not cure it. The medicines are used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. It is estimated that the various medications used to treat ADHD improve symptoms in 70-80% of children taking them. Discontinuing the medication may be accompanied with a return of ADHD symptoms however some people can experience less severity of symptoms as they get older. Every child responds to medication differently and it is important to be in close contact with your medical provider to ensure your child is on the right medication, at the right dose and getting the desired outcome.
I hope after reading my feedback you have gained more insights into this complex topic of medication for ADHD for children. If you still have questions, please reach out to me. Make sure you also check how Telehealth can help with ADHD.
