We all probably have been reading about the buz about the FDA looking into the dangers of attention deficit medicines such as Adderall , Concerta, Strattera and Ritulin. I read about the potential dangers months ago in the Wall Street Journal.I heard something troubling on a T.V. business show(CNBC) that 10% of ten year old boys are on attention deficit drugs. The concern that the FDA is exploring is that in some instances there have been strokes, suicide and heart attacks in children taking these drugs. A shudder went down my spine because a couple of years ago my two teenage daughters were on one of the drugs. My middle kid was on Strattera and the minute she complained to me of being depressed I took her off the drug. the doctor offered to put her on a weaker dosage but I felt I rather have her be the bubbly kid she is and be a B- B- student instead of maybe an A. Her happiness and health were more important and the risk didn't outweigh the benefits I was seeing. My other daughter I told her to stop because she was too nervous.
You might be thinking , how are they doing without the medication. Te older one is forgetful but is more organized since she is keeping a journal to record what she needs to do on a daily basis. My younger daughter is keeping her B average with an A here and there but is happy go lucky. I'll take her happiness over honors and A's in school. I have a tutor to help her over the rough spots in math. Overall, they are managing quite well. I forgot to mention the older one is attending NYU and the younger one just got in to FIT(fashion institute of New York0
If you can help them to organize themselves and get them help if necessary that will be a great help. Sometimes, you just need the medicine. All I can say is that you shouldn't jump into taking medicine because someone labels your kid, give it alot of thought and research. If they are fidgety maybe physical exercise everyday before they do their homework and breaks during the work can help. Try it and see.
3 comments--Add comment |
