We also noticed our daughter was more withdrawn and not interested in socializing with people when she was on her meds. Through trial and error we found the only medication that did not do that for our daughter was the daytrana patch.

Before we found our current psychiatrist the family doctor added zoloft to the medication list claiming our daughter was depressed. When I expressed she continued to show no interest in interacting with others he upted the zoloft dose. In my heart I knew she was not depressed because as soon as the adhd meds wore off she was out playing.

Try different medication instead of more. Get a second opinion

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As a 30 year old who has recently been diagnosed and placed on medication, I look back and realize I've always had ADHD. I can remember when I was 5 years old and struggling with schoolwork. I always did well in school, but could have been much more successful with medication.

As for the human side of an adhd mind and how medication affects our interactions, I feel it is important that a child have the opportunity to let their mind be free from the medication. That freedom allows the inner strengths and ability to read and connect with others come out. If I was on meds my whole life, I wouldn't have been able to figure myself out the way I have. But there's no question the meds ultimately allowed me to close the loop on figuring myself out. Make sense?

I value the lessons I have learned regarding my social interactions as a child without medication. However, there ultimately the depression that can often be associated with a frustrated adhd mind caught up with me. It plagued me off and on over the years. My ability to interact and socialize fell apart as I wrestled within own mind on how to deal with the 'spinning' that took place within my own mind.

So what's the answer for you... Based on my experience, and how I have perceived my own development, don't give up on the meds. I wish had them as a kid. Keep working with your doctors to find a balanced med regimen that allows your child to focus and be disciplined in his studies and academia, while still having the advantage of embracing the benefits of adhd, without meds, in a social setting.

And although I didn't have the meds growing up, I did have a good psychologist. Talking is an extremely important part of figuring yourself out, and unfortunately, this type of growth is limited when talking a parent. However educated you may become on adhd, there is a real safety and benefit to being able to talk to an outsider/therapist.

Don't just rely on the meds, but don't give up on them. Hope this is helpful.

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aseni said: My 7-year-old boy has changed from a rocket to a turtle. I was amazed when we got together at the park and he just sat down on the grass and did nothing. My heart is breaking apart. Tonight, after a non-typical quiet day he confessed that he doesn't feel happy, but not even sad. He is a cheerful guy and I have the impression that medication is taking away part of his personality. What I care most is his happiness. The doctor said we have to increase hid medication intake during school hours, but I feel he is having enough.

I have a son, who is now 16, who has been on this junk since he is 7. His mother and I are divorced and a number of people have noticed that when my son is off of the meds he is happier, quick witted, introspective and ALERT. On the meds he is depressed, slow, confused and looks stoned with the glassy eyes. You MUST read the various websites that offer the truth about psychtropic drugs and the effect that they have on our children. Do not fear, what you will find is that there are alternative ways in dealing with ADD, like excercise, diet and behavour modification. Look at the writings of Dr. Peter L. Brennigan. He is a psychiatrist who is qualified to speak on the dangers of these medications. GOOGLE 'ADHD Alternative Treatments' and you will see some amazing things. Don't ever give up your responsibility as a parent to a doctor or pharmacist or a school teacher. Most doctors don't have a treatment plan for ADD/ADHD. Like any other plan there needs to be an end date to this pill popping. Don't give up, it GETS better. It does get better,

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With some children, "unawareness" can be bliss. When kids become aware of their surroundings, the interactions, and how they "stack up" when compared to their peers, they may recognize and more poignantly feel their weaknesses more than they did before taking medication.

As well, when parents treat ADHD, other issues come to the forefront. It's rather like peeling an onion. Once the ADHD behaviors are minimized, then the learning disabiltiies or learning/performance weaknesses that may have been overshadowed or "explained" by the ADHD become more obvious. Parents and children both can have unrealistic expectations and have a let-down when "all" of the problems aren't solved.

Parents and children can experience a grieving process related to "refining" myself or my child. " thought I (or my child) was "this" way and now, I find out it's different". This awareness does not necessarily happen at the point of diagnosis or treatment, but can occur anywhere along the developmental continuum.

Our son is ADHD and he's now 20 years old. We began treatment at age 8. Because his life has been successful (along with many bumps) and he's had a great deal of practice making sound decision, he has a life he is not willing to risk. We are constantly amazed and thrilled with the person he's become. We had to fight a lot of battles 12 years ago to even find a medication at that time that would work, but so far, so good.

We, too, had these periods of "let down". Gentle probing and problem-solving and sound medical advice helped us to resolve the concerns. Sometimes, it was a developmental issue related to a social or academic challenge that he felt overwhelmed by and did not know how to label his feelings. He needed to have a "menu" of possible solutions that he thought were a good fit.

Keep working at it.

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I have the same exact experience with my son, age 9. He has been on meds for one year now and while they have changed his life in school in terms of his ability to focus, I consider him to be more like a zombie or a person totally lacking personality when he is on the meds. Can't change the dosage as this works for his school day, but believe me, he has gone from being a very happy, friendly, funny child to almost like a robot. I am extremely sad about this and don't give the meds on holidays, weekends or vacations, unless he has school work to do. I have heard the same story about "quiet" or "flat personalities" from others whose kids are on these meds.

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As an adult with ADHD, and someone who's been through trying to find the right med combo... this is disturbing, as I know that I did NOT want to be on meds that made me zombie. Have you asked your child if s/he likes being on the med? A SUCCESSFUL treatment is one that EVERYONE is happy with, not just the parents and teachers so the kids are "manageable" at school. There are options that work, other meds. Can you reduce the dosage SLIGHTLY? Have you tried other drugs? -your argument might be that they take too much time, or the side effects are horrible... but what is it worth? To you? To your child? I've talked to adults who were made to be on meds that made them zombies when they were younger and they are bitter about it.

Think about the rights of the child too. Don't you want your child to be happy? What if it was you? Having them spaced out -BUT CALMER - is that cool? If this is making people uncomfortable, then that's good... because I strongly believe that those of us with ADHD have a right to have a treatment that we're happy with. If this is last resort, I urge you to keep looking... I was on all types of meds before I found my ideal balance. The meds that made me spacy I went off, that's NO WAY TO LIVE. I kept looking. It DID take time, it WASN'T easy, and yes, my school and career did suffer a bit, but in the long run, it's been the best thing. Being spaced out and not having a medication treatment that's a positive experience for the kid puts them at risk for an unhealthy relationship with meds later on. I respect my meds b/c I've found the what works. I'm very careful with them, I know how long they work, how much to take, and when to take them.

As for the depression... if you notice a behaviour change as soon as you alter medication, it's most likely the meds.

The "underlying" depression? not so. I have it, and it doesn't just get "covered up" b/c ADHD is considered a hyperactive ("anti-depression") condition. Comorbid means it exists at the same time... you'll notice the sadness, emptiness there.

Best bet is to ASK your kid about it! ASK what's hard for them, ask WHY they don't like the meds - how does it make them feel?

Are you looking to control the behaviour so the kid can stay in school, bottom line? I work in a high school with lots of kids who have learning/behavioural challenges, and I let them know I have ADHD, and I'm on meds for it, and it's not easy.

One thing I've learned is that I'm very sensitive, and the anti-anxiety meds I'm on have to be adjusted in small increments to avoid the side effects. And I take half-doses as well. It IS possible to take partical doses of what the manufacturer makes, and it works much better for me overall - I don't have to put up with the side effects, it doesn't disrupt my life as much and my system doesn't freak out as much.

Please please PLEASE look into finding a better treatment.

If you're medicating your child so that they behave in school, with the "side effect" that they're listless and not full of life like they used to be, that doesn't sound like an effective or optimal treatment.

And like I said before, I KNOW it's not easy, it does take time, it is frustrating... but first person experience: feeling like you're in a fog b/c of meds is hell. It means you're on too much, take it back a bit... and it will help. I've done that a lot and even a slight adjustment helps me so much.

Don't be a slave to what the drug manufacturer puts out. Take less, see if it helps. Check with your Dr first. I did it before and mentioned that I cut the dose back b/c I can't afford to be messed up at work, and the Dr said it's fine as long as it works for me. I guess b/c it's that I was going DOWN a dose that it was OK. I don't understand why the drug manufacturers don't make the dosage in smaller increments.

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My son was diagnosed at age 6 the medications have helped in many ways, but they only last for about 2 months then we are either upping the med's or we are trying a new one. My son developed tics so severe that are physiologist said it would cause neurological damage. We have now taken him off of the stimulant medication and the tics are gone and his sense of humor and quick wit are back. We now are having more focusing issue and he is starting to become very argumentative, but through behavior therapy I think we can fix that. He is still on med's just not stimulant med's. If I could start all over I would definitely try natural things first. My sons physiologist recommended a book that I am going to get this weekend called Making a good brain great by Daniel Amen

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Thanks for your help. I belive we are in professional hands. The neurologist recommended the multimodal treatment. Behavior therapy( as Michael and Nickt1023 suggested), Omega-3, avoid junk food, intake of soy protein(as Denise adviced). The doctor recommended a therapy which is based on sports. A tutor for the school assignments and Concerta 18 (which can't be split). She advice to take Concerta only on school days (like Judy suggested). After vacations the child started the usage of Concerta and experiment depresion. The doctor said several parents reported the same. I show her my son's degrees and review the comments from the teacher and my own observation of the child at home and with his friends. The doctor wanted to increase the dosage.or use another medication under school administration. Those possibilities wasn't what we expected to hear. From one side I want to do what is the best for my son (and he is doing much better with the medication). But I don't want to restraint him from his own emotions. I tried a second opinion (as Shirley said) at the begining of this trip, just to confirm the ADD diagnose. I think that looking for a solution I never asked my son about his feelings ( what Special Ed Assistant said). Of course he hates medication and I will provide him what he needs. I will keep working (as Claudia said). Thanks guys.

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I had the same response you describe when my daughter was on focolin XR. I was not happy with the results and i was told to choose between a calm, focused child and a happy energetic child. We switched doctors and meds and she is much happier and still her fun loving self again. We are now on Daytrana patch which last up to tweleve hours but we have the control because it is a patch and we can remove it at any time. Good luck and don't give up hope, you can have the best of both worlds.

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