New Here & need help!!! - Fotini from Cyprus

[Fotini]

Hi all!
Im Fotini. My son is 12 & he has been diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 5! Ever since we both struggle with schoolwork! Drs suggested i medicate him but i thought it was unfair for a kid to start on meds so soon....... now i dont know if im doing the right thing ........ He is in the 1st grade in highschool struggling, making huge efford but cant seem to achieve much...... he is totally disappointed & im devastated ........ Can anyone give me views on meds pls?????

[rd_wnc]

Go to the parenting or childrens treatment forums here. I'm sure there are folks in here in your same situation.

I didn't start meds until I was in my 30s but they made a big difference in my functioning. I used to teach high school and have seen them make a difference in students.

A small amount of medication might make a big difference but I'd talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Welcome to the forums.

[Fotini]

Thanks a lot , i will do that ....... just a quick question ........ how did u cope at school, with tests , with pressure?????

thanx again

[The Absent Mind]

I have had very bad ADHD all my life. I was not diagnosed as a child. I had a very bad time in school.

I coped at school by withdrawing into myself and resenting things. Tests were a different story with me. I usually did very well with tests, despite the fact that I couldn't study. I saw them as a challenge that was rewarding. In fact, my test scores were one of the main reasons I didn't flunk out because I simply didn't do homework.

I coped with pressure by withdrawing into myself. I was an evil little child. I didn't really do anything wrong, other than maybe stealing without confrontation and clashing with authority, but I was insecure to the extreme and covered it up with very large and heavy thoughts. I don't know exactly how describe it... I was very big in my own mind.

I tell you right now, one of my biggest regrets is that I wasn't treated when I was young. I think it was a huge waste that I did so poorly early on. I genuinely believe that I would have aced everything if I had been. It makes that much of a difference.

I would seriously consider at least trying the treatments the doctor suggests for him. It could very well change his whole future.

[CptNemo]

Hi welcome aboard!

You've gotten some good input here,but if you post here,you will have more eyes on your concerns.

http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38

Be sure to read the 'stickies' at the top.

Lots of info.

[trishcan]

It's great that you are weighing the pros and cons of medication therapy. Many parents jump to medication as a "quick fix" and often at a very early age (I've seen 3 and 4 year olds on meds for adhd, bipolar, etc).

If you worry about how meds might affect him, I think you could rest assured knowing that he is at an age where he can accurately assess any benefits or side effects and share them with you or your doctor. This should eliminate any problems with the medication. If he responds well to medication, it could really be a great tool in helping him succeed in high school, where the demands of social life, academics, sports, activities, and planning for college can be overwhelming, especially for a student with adhd.