teacher suggested adderall for my son...asking the dads & smart folks.

[dieselbuilder]

I took it for 15 years. 30mg time release in the morning. I stopped 3 years ago. I don’t really recommend it. It did help me a lot in school but it also messed with my head. I got a lot done on it though. Since being off of it I don’t have as much energy and I am back to being a scatterbrained ADHD 37 year old. I also don’t really recommend that either.

 

[buck]

Will it help the teacher more or your kid more. Is he having any issues other then normal ones for kids his age? If so get 2 opinions from 2 Dr at different places.

 

[Siggy]

I took it for 15 years. 30mg time release in the morning. I stopped 3 years ago. I don’t really recommend it. It did help me a lot in school but it also messed with my head. I got a lot done on it though. Since being off of it I don’t have as much energy and I am back to being a scatterbrained ADHD 37 year old. I also don’t really recommend that either.

Great post.

I have a very similar experience and view about it. Im in the middle of a three month break. I would like to stop for a full year.

 

[dantes]

Please do not give adderral to your son. I am also a father and I will never give that trash to my son. There is another way. Try having him run before school or enter a sport if he isn’t already in one. He just needs an outlet for his energy not drugs

 

[Neuro1234]

I was on it for years in my 20’s. Nursing school. Night shift. I quit using it and immediately felt like I had my life back. I recently, and very foolishly, took one to make a 15 hour drive. I thought I used it for years this won’t be a problem. At half the dose I used to take I felt absolutely awful and it was a mental mind fuck for like the next 3 days.

As stated by @bbxtreme focus on diet, and finding out if it’s truly focus or anxiety.

Also, seems simple but often overlooked, make sure the 8 year old boy is getting enough of his energy out by playing. Hard. Not with screens. But physical exertion. Taking up swimming and CrossFit (for a brief time) in nursing school made a world of difference in my ability to sit through long lectures.

 

[WskyCowboy]

The risk of putting an 8 year old on Adderal just isn’t worth it IMO. His brain isn’t even fully developed so using a drug that can potentially cause dementia wouldn’t even be on the table if it were me.

I understand the teacher is likely just sharing what other students parents have done for their child, but it doesn’t make it healthy or right. It’s almost become a baseline for kids and students to perform their best. But it comes with a long term set of risk.

Fix his diet and lifestyle first and foremost. From there find out if it’s truly a focus issue or is it an anxiety issue. I can’t tell you the number of docs I’ve seen who write scripts for Adderall in anxiety cases. Then when it amps them up they medicate that as well. Fixing the root cause is always ideal.

A good b complex, Alpha GPC, Ginko and huperzine A are great for focus. But if it’s as simple as some anxiety or anxiousness some GABA and theanine will do wonders.

I spent over a decade of my life using Adderall daily in my 20’s. Can’t say I regret it at this moment as it served me very well. But I also live my life now and operate much smoother and healthier without it. Knowing the long term risk would I have thought twice or taken less? Yes. Would I ever put my kid on it? No.

this was unbelievably helpful and wonderful insight. thank you again...and yeah im gonna look into gaba and theanine first. great thing is his diet is actually really good, and it was exactly as you said the teacher was just relaying what other parents had done. But again im gonna continue to look at some sups first like you said even the alpha npc and b complex which he doesn't take any right now.

 

[jcc80]

This is a HARD topic to approach, but how much screen time does your kid get? This is a world where we have been conditioned to expect instant gratification: instant entertainment at our fingertips, kids don't know how to be bored and find things to do.

 

[Mufasa123]

I would hope the teacher's message was more, "You should have your child tested by a professional. If it turns out he/she has ADD I've seen them prescribe things like Adderall or other drugs and it can make a big difference to them." That is responsible messaging, I think, and a teacher would likely have seen other ADD kids so might be able to spot one and make the suggestion although not an expert on treatment or drugs specifically. If it's, "Get your kid this drug." That's not good or responsible.

I have two kids with ADD and I'm not a med guy. Neither is on Adderall but both are medicated and it makes a difference for them in work/academics. Similar to what has been said, there are some sides and considerations to be aware of and manage if you go that way.

 

[massephase]

my general opinion - no. Don't put your kid on amphetamine or ritalin. Maybe it will enable him to fit in easier, but it will fuck him in other ways. He is 8 years old and shouldn't be put on hard drugs. I have "ADHD" and my school life was miserable, but I came out the other end and I am very grateful that my parents resisted the attempts from teachers and social workers to put me on drugs.

Another thing - I think people often only become more socially acceptable by taking these drugs, but not really more productive. They think they are becoming more productive, because you ... tend to think highly of yourself when you have x-times normal dopamine levels. But I studied my girl for a long time when she used to take this stuff (rx dose since she was a kid) and she is less productive on them. She couldn't differentiate between what is important information and what isn't. She spent hours doing other stupid shit or perfecting minor details. So I am not convinced they are even cognitive enhancers. More importantly, she also turned cold and unempathetic.

 

[massephase]

Will it help the teacher more or your kid more. Is he having any issues other then normal ones for kids his age? If so get 2 opinions from 2 Dr at different places.

And even if he has issues that others don't have - is the appropriate response to that to medicate those challenges away? I would not rely on a doctor to make that decision, these questions have a philosophical component.

 

[JAG]

Absolutely not, Suggested for my son when he was younger as well, doubled down on his diet. Remove all processed foods and allowed nothing with high fructose corn syrup in the house.... Definitely calmed him down. Boys are my nature hyper active. Even NPR and NIH say they are overprescribed. https://www.npr.org/sections/health...ts-warn-against-adhd-drugs-to-help-kids-study

 

[Reno911]

 

[TheOtherOne55]

I would neverrr tell you to put your kid on adderall, but if the teacher is making a suggestion i would definitely get him checked out.
I only say that because my nephew (who we have sleep over basically every weekend) was prescribed adderall and other types of ADHD medications.
He currently isnt on any as they made him slower and kinda boring (its sad that this is the case)...but in saying that, i can understand the recommendation. He is nottt like the average 6-7 year olds I meet. My friends kids in that age range are just different.
My nephew cannot focus, doesnt really listen, has a hard time controlling himself. This summer, we signed him up for a summer day camp and he got kicked out...the counselors said he didnt listen, threw fits and just was too difficult to control. I think the problem is that behavior stuff is too often lumped into, "oh, there's something in their brain we need to fix." But it doesnt surprise me that he gets the same recommendation when he acts like this.

Again, would never tell you to do it but it will make you take a hard look at your kid's behavior and want to try and solve it.

 

[OldManLogan]

So my son's teacher suggested my son might need adderall and hes 8. im very hesitant in putting him on it, ive never taken it but I do know its not good for kids long term or at young ages. so honestly im looking to hear from anyone that has been on it, or have kids on it or any smart folks that have a insightful opinion. TIA

Ok so I have diagnosed ADHD and so do both my kids.

Honestly, at a low dose for me as an adult, adderal xr10 does help me with concentration, paying attention during large meetings, etc. - But I was diagnosed as an adult.

My oldest son is neurodivergent, so not a good case study versus a typical person- but my middle child DID NOT enjoy how emotionally flat it made him feel- but, when he took it, his impulsivity and hyperactivity was greatly reduced, and he ended up taking it on a day by day basis, son like for heavy school days or finals, but never in the weekend for example.

I absolutely agree that you should get a second medical opinion, because I’m convinced a lot of teachers just don’t like dealing with inquisitive children, and will assume ADHD versus genuine energy and curiosity.

Another thing, I believe my second child would have grown better / been bigger and heavier without that med, because it did impact his appetite and ability to eat. So be aware of that side effect.

 

[hogan87]

You would consider taking a diagnosis of ADHD from a school teacher?! She is not qualified to speak those words and should be reported to the school. Keep you kid off the meth, give him some structure

 

[southernmucle214]

Someone take add/adhd meds is not the same as someone taking it to study in college. So if someone is saying don't do it based on that alone it's a little silly. If a kid has been diagnosed with add or adhd and it is affecting their ability to perform well in school then something may need to be done. A hyper kid is very different than a kid with add or adhd.

 

[Hbone]

And I believe he said he was 8? 2nd 3rd grade. damn

 

[Siggy]

my general opinion - no. Don't put your kid on amphetamine or ritalin. Maybe it will enable him to fit in easier, but it will fuck him in other ways. He is 8 years old and shouldn't be put on hard drugs. I have "ADHD" and my school life was miserable, but I came out the other end and I am very grateful that my parents resisted the attempts from teachers and social workers to put me on drugs.

Another thing - I think people often only become more socially acceptable by taking these drugs, but not really more productive. They think they are becoming more productive, because you ... tend to think highly of yourself when you have x-times normal dopamine levels. But I studied my girl for a long time when she used to take this stuff (rx dose since she was a kid) and she is less productive on them. She couldn't differentiate between what is important information and what isn't. She spent hours doing other stupid shit or perfecting minor details. So I am not convinced they are even cognitive enhancers. More importantly, she also turned cold and unempathetic.

Maaaan this post...when I am abusing adderall, those behaviors describe me to a T.(except the cold and unempathetic part, I am always that way )

The reality for many people on this medication is if you dont have a very specific targeted goal when taking it, it will eventually turn into a disaster. Many people should not be taking this on a daily basis.

 

[johnjuanb1]

So my son's teacher suggested my son might need adderall and hes 8. im very hesitant in putting him on it, ive never taken it but I do know its not good for kids long term or at young ages. so honestly im looking to hear from anyone that has been on it, or have kids on it or any smart folks that have a insightful opinion. TIA

I was a teacher for 29 years. No teacher has the right to suggest putting your son on what’s essentially pharmaceutical amphetamines! They can cause stunted growth! They’re hard of the heart! They’re addictive! They diminish appetite leading to weight loss and muscle loss.
Request a different teacher who is more accepting of your son’s personality. If your son is high energy he just needs a teacher who knows how to apply that energy in positive and productive ways.

 

[mexbeast]

thats exactly why I was asking, cause even for doctors they do hand it out like candy sadly. appreciate all the replies so far though! and yes we are taking him to a doctor we trust to just get an idea.

I am curious what OTC supplements do you think work well for that age?

For focus and concentration i like L-tyrosine, dmea and ginkgo biloba (spell check)