My son is slightly ADD and his doctor prescribed Ritalin. Once on the Ritalin he made straight A's and was beyond focused but it completely changed his personality. (all this happened 1 year ago when he was 10 years old) Before Ritalin he was the happiest kid on the earth. After he started on the Ritalin he was sad and crying ALL the time. He was withdrawn!!! Never slept!!! Lost weight!!!! It was HORRIBLE....he was SOOOOOOO depressed!!!! Once we saw how depressed & sad he was we immediately took him off the Ritalin (also at the advise of his doctor). We were beyond worried about him!! We even took him to speak with a child psychologist....that is how worried we were!!!! Within a few weeks he was back to his old happy self....thank goodness!!! I HATE Ritalin and would NEVER put my child through that again!!! I had rather him fail every subject than see him go through that again. By the way, without the Ritalin he makes A's and B's (an occassional C)....I will never complain about his grades again!!!! I am just thankful to have my son back!!!
NOTE: This is only our experience with Ritalin....I am sure there are those out there that love this drug.
Only a doctor can decide if your child needs to be medicated for ADD or ADHD. But, please do your research on all the med's to treat ADD or ADHD....the side effects are very disturbing to me!!!
Again, everyone is different....I am sure there will be lots of people to post that love the med's that their children are on for ADD or ADHD.
Best of luck to you....I know you are concerned about your son!!!
__________________ Rhonda, Buddy-licious and Sammie  |