It depends on the medications he was on. If he was on an antidepressant, some ot those can create problems when you go off them cold turkey. With stimulant medication such as Ritalin, concerta, metadate, Focalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse it should not be a serious concern for his physical health. The stimulants generally do not build up in your body so there is not a withdrawal problem if you go off them cold turkey.

However, that is not to say that there would not be psychological or self-esteem issues. If a child felt smarter and more well liked by his peers when he is on the medication, he may not like being off the medication. But some children might not notice anything or don't make the connection with the differences related to being on medication.

Not treating ADHD may cause some individuals to be at higher risk for future substance abuse, more car accidents and traffic tickets, and self-esteem problems. Gaps in learning and education may be affected. Each individual is different depending on the severity of their symptoms, their intelligence, presence of learning disabilities or other comorbidities, their personality, etc. Having something that they are good at (art, sports, music, drama, etc) and involved in can be a positive influence.

I hope his father learns more about his son's disorder and the importance of treating it. Unfortunately, if you and your ex are having custody issues, he is not likely to hear anything from you. I wish I could offer you some better advice to help. Perhaps someone else can help you with this issue. Have you spoken to your lawyer about your concerns to see if anything can be done?

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IF you d/c the stimulants then he may notice he is having a harder time focusing , and he doesn't follow directions or as organized as he was when he on them . The bottom line if he on a stimulant and he is doing well on it he should remain on it. Some types of ADD do not do well on a stimulant and would be put on anti-psychotic such as risperdol , depakote etc. It really is to child's benefit he had a parent who isn't in denial about ADD and does what is needed for your son to manage . GOOD LUCK!!!!!

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It's hard to predict how a child will respond when stopping a medication. Some studies show that a big part of the drug effect is actually a placebo effect - taking something that you believe has an effect leads your own consciousness to create that effect when the pill is actually an inert (dummy pill) substance. If your system has responded to a medication and adapted to it then withdrawal effects are likely - same as with recreational drugs. Thus, weaning off is a safer approach than cold turkey, but some people adjust just fine quitting cold turkey.

I find that non-drug, holistic approaches to treatment are much better in the long term, and that we need to look at how we are programming our children to take drugs to coverup their mental and emotional distress. When parents are having relationship problems that is distressing to a child - which makes it harder for the child to concentrate - so the child needs help with handling emotions and relieving stress - yet our culture puts a label on the child saying there is something wrong with him and he has to take a drug to compensate for it. If you wish to give children pills then try nutritional supplements, at least most of those are natural food components that the body uses to synthesize and regulate neurotransmitters (essential fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, etc.) - and most modern food is quite lacking in nutritional content so most of the population has nutrient deficiencies.

I do counseling and healing work in Miami, Florida and have free resources on my website - I encourage you to visit it at <a href="http://www.phinsights.com/adhd.html">www.phinsights.com</a>

best wishes, Jed Shlackman, LMHC

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my grandson who i have custody of has been under the doctors care since age 4 with a diagnosis of ADHD he is still on many medicines.. i would love to see him off of them myself. however we have tried to do it gradually with not to good of results.. but this summer 2008 he went to visit his older sister in another state for a month and did not take his meds as prescribed now that he is home he is showing agression.. very much argumentative, and anger issues more than what I had gotten used to dealing with prior to the visit when i monitored his medications daily.. he took it at school. home and when we traveled i made sure he had it with him. oh he missed an occassional doze here or there but nothing like a month or 5 weeks. as what i'm referring too. he was on a variety of meds.. d'amphetamine. 15 mg 2 in am 2 at lunch. triliptal 300 mg 1 at 3 pm and 3 at bed time.. zyprexia.. 10mg at bedtime.. and luvox also 1/2 tab at bedtime. my grandson compalined about being sleeping every day. so we tried to cut back on the bedtime meds.. but with little or no change in his sleepineess.. that was several months ago so we resumed the normal doses.. but now with not taking them for so long the mental health facility that he goes to for medication. said to restart him would be hard to do. he will be 18 in April of 09.. he refuses to take them at all. he also refueses to wear his glasses which he has had for years too. he is argumentative more than prior to going off the meds.. which was one of his behaviors prior to this cold turkey of no meds.. so yes i can say from personal experience a child on meds for ADHD especially the ones mentioned above can and will effect his behavior now he don't think there is a problem with him its everyone else. and he loudly lets everyone know it. the school is concerned and i'm very concerned too. if anyone else has any suggestions i too would appreciate any feedback.. thanks

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JediShaman said: It's hard to predict how a child will respond when stopping a medication. Some studies show that a big part of the drug effect is actually a placebo effect - taking something that you believe has an effect leads your own consciousness to create that effect when the pill is actually an inert (dummy pill) substance. If your system has responded to a medication and adapted to it then withdrawal effects are likely - same as with recreational drugs. Thus, weaning off is a safer approach than cold turkey, but some people adjust just fine quitting cold turkey.

I find that non-drug, holistic approaches to treatment are much better in the long term, and that we need to look at how we are programming our children to take drugs to coverup their mental and emotional distress. When parents are having relationship problems that is distressing to a child - which makes it harder for the child to concentrate - so the child needs help with handling emotions and relieving stress - yet our culture puts a label on the child saying there is something wrong with him and he has to take a drug to compensate for it. If you wish to give children pills then try nutritional supplements, at least most of those are natural food components that the body uses to synthesize and regulate neurotransmitters (essential fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, etc.) - and most modern food is quite lacking in nutritional content so most of the population has nutrient deficiencies.

I do counseling and healing work in Miami, Florida and have free resources on my website - I encourage you to visit it at <a href="http://www.phinsights.com/adhd.html">www.phinsights.com</a>

best wishes, Jed Shlackman, LMHC

My husband and I are still happily married 3 years later, our son is still doing fantastically in school and personally, on medications.

It is fine to promote holistic treatments for those who wish to (and can afford) try them, but do not presume to say that no one needs them or that holistic is always better.

Sometimes it is truly an imbalance in the brain, and meds are needed.

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