Let me start by saying I'm calling my sons doc. on Monday, I just wanted some of your opinions. My son (9) is on 54mg of Concerta. Has been for a little over a year now.

Tonight I heard him talking to his friend that is spending the night. They were playing legos and kinda horsing around and then it got kinda quiet and I heard his friend tell him "Just drop it. Just for one day, drop it." Of course I perked up at this. I called his friend to my room, and of course took the ultimate oath that I would never tell I was just worried, and I asked him what my son said. He said that my son said "Please kill me so that I can go see my brother." (We lost a son before Justin was born). I asked had he said this before and David (10) said "yes". Now I'm about to come unglued because I don't know what to say or do and my husband is the same way.

My immediate question is could this be a side effect from his Concerta? The Concerta in general or maybe a withdrawl?

It was very quick when it happened, one minute he was playing, the next he was quiet, and the next he was playing again. I'm very scared for him, especially when I found out this wasn't the only time he has said the very same thing.

What do you think?

I am so sorry you are going through this. You need to discuss this with the doctor. Does your son see a psychiatrist for his med management? If so, call the number and there should be a way to get a message through to the doctor by pager. He/she should be able to guide you on what to do next. I wish I could be of help.....

This should be taken very seriously. To be on the ultra-safe side, he should be taken to emergency. Let a professional talk to him. Another idea, why not call the suicide help line? Or some other local or state mental health agency? Some of them have 24 hour phone service for situations exactly like this. You could also call emergency and ask for an opinion.

Where I work, oaths don't mean anything when someone's life could possibly be in danger. It's okay to break that trust because it is warranted. What a professional in the field would be assessing, is if this is a valid threat or if this is just a way of expressing unhappiness. If the person did truly want to die, next they would ask if he had a plan. In my neck of the woods, anyone with a plan gets committed.

My daughter said those same words when she was 12. She just hated her life at the time. That is a very hard thing for a parent to hear but this is also much more common then you think.

Finally, I'm not a Dr. but I wouldn't be cutting off his meds until you have spoken to a professional about this. Keep things the same for the time being unless you have seen a very strong cause and effect reaction while he takes meds.

I agree that it is serious when you hear such a thing from your child!! Sounds like counselling could help him maybe,
Also my son(11) has said some pretty sad things about his life and how he feels about it at times. It was more often before he was on meds, but defintely when he was on some meds when they were wearing off the "rebound" seemed to be worse! You say it was one minute to the next.

I think it is very important to tell his dr as soon as possible though for everyone concerned!!

I am very concerned about your child for more than one reason... you may end up with a doc who may "write him off as a bipolar child" for feelings which a therapist may help with... was a child who was dx'd bipolar for asking my mother what suicide meant so this one hit me hard... It may be the meds but DO NOT ALLOW YOUR DOC to just load him up on lithium or depakote because I spent years being misdiagnosed as a bipolar child and when I was, well, nonetheless traumatized in a way I'd rather not get into, my abuse was treated as a "manic delusion" and those meds caused me to go from straight a's with compliance with dexedrine to nodding out all day and failing out for years. If there was a death in the family some assistance from the doc may be needed but VALIDATE how he feels because I am a messed human being now due to the lack of knowledge of my GP.

I have been there to, when my son was on concerta.. when he came down from it at night. he was more sad...he had said he wanted to die and see grandpa.. He was very emotional at times..he has ups and downs all the time.. Now my son isnt any better on strattera after a year now..hes gone back to it not really working..saying he wants to die etc.. Its so confusing. He seems so happy and loving then the next minute when the meds start to wear off..they just seem to come down...which anyone that comes off of drugs feels this..so im sure a child has intensified emotions...so Im not sure what to tell you but..were looking into a child phycologist.. my prayers are with your son..and you. also concerta gave my son a tic in his eye,throat... its gone now.