Any of you with add chilren ,do you keep them seeing a psychitrist ,or at all ,if not who prescribed the meds and do you think any harm is being done to them in their formative years taking stimulants daily?

My son takes a Non-stimulant at his request.

We've worked very hard to build a team of doctor's who work together for the benefit and success of our children.

Their Psychiatrist and Psychologist assessed them, shared their findings and drug suggestions with our Pediatrician who takes his blood and checks his levels though it isn't called for with Strattera (we as parents are naturally leery and asked that it be done, our requests have always been treated with respect). Our kids speak with a talk therapist once a week who then keeps their pediatrician up to date.

My son will be going thru a re-diagnoses due to the onset of symptoms leaning more towards Bi-Polar then just depression. So, soon the entire process will start over but we are sticking with the same doctors and the same program.

Any of you with add chilren ,do you keep them seeing a psychitrist No, it wasn't / isn't necessary.


who prescribed the meds Family doctor after referral from psychologist.

do you think any harm is being done to them in their formative years taking stimulants daily? Based on extensive research and my own observations of unmedicated kids, definitely not.

I'm seeing a clinical psychologist a couple of times a month for my own AD/HD, and he give me real good feedback in dealing with my child's AD/HD. Having working in the counseling field myself, I actually prefer that. I didn't find that working one on one with other people's children was the most effective method (although it could be appropriate for older teenagers). Working with the parents, or in family therapy, or in groups of kids worked much better.

As far as who prescribes the medication, my daughter's pediatrician will do that if it turns out that is needed. Right now we're homeschooling and can control the environment enough where her symptoms are minimized. With any medication I have concerns about side effects, especially with prolonged use by children. The current stimulents in use now though have a very long and encouraging track record. Sometimes the side effects of not taking medication are greater than those of taking it (that is what happened with me). If my daughter reaches that point, I would be comfortable with her taking medication as well.

Scattered

thank you very much