I took my son's medication today.

[Aaronharmon]

I work in mental health... In a psychiatric inpatient hospital to be more specific. The poster who said that your sons medication would not have the same effect on you was right. If he had Cancer, would you take one of his Chemo treatments? The brain is the most complex organism in the human experience. It stands to reason that it is going to malfunction from time to time and what works for some will not work for others. You said you did not want to be lectured, well to bad, it is not only irresponsible, but also dangerous for you to experiment with medication that was not intended for you.

[AK47]

I work in mental health... In a psychiatric inpatient hospital to be more specific. The poster who said that your sons medication would not have the same effect on you was right. If he had Cancer, would you take one of his Chemo treatments? The brain is the most complex organism in the human experience. It stands to reason that it is going to malfunction from time to time and what works for some will not work for others. You said you did not want to be lectured, well to bad, it is not only irresponsible, but also dangerous for you to experiment with medication that was not intended for you.

This is why I am totally against giving kids any mid altering drugs that effect the brain/blood barrier (Ritalin) or alter brain chemistry like SSRIs while their brains are still developing. I beleive this can cause serious problems later on as they become adults. They have never really done any long term studies on effects of ADHD meds.


ETA: all those kids that flipped out and killed a bunch of people were on SSRIs...Columbine

[UFORocks]

This is why I am totally against giving kids any mid altering drugs that effect the brain/blood barrier (Ritalin) or alter brain chemistry like SSRIs while their brains are still developing. I beleive this can cause serious problems later on as they become adults. They have never really done any long term studies on effects of ADHD meds.


ETA: all those kids that flipped out and killed a bunch of people were on SSRIs...Columbine

Come on we all know that incident could not have possibly been caused by any sort of metal disorder or the drugs that treat them. These were perfectly normal kids that were possessed by Marylin Manson and told to get their guns and kill people through his music... sheesh people!

[zeegler]

While I agree that doctors often prescribe drugs way too quickly and easily, with my son, it's not just a matter of finding hobbies for him. You have to understand that these types of things range from minor cases of hyperactivity and lack of concentration, all the way to borderline lunacy. Ethan is not just a little bit hyper. Trust me, I would not have allowed him to be taking the meds if we had any other option. you really don't understand, unless you have a child like this.

As for the danger factor for me, you can't compare this to cancer drugs at all. One dose of Strattera will not do me any harm. Besides, I've done much worse in the past.

[Joe_Steeler]

have you talked to Tom Cruise about this? he is very knowledgeable.

I don't know dude, my nephew takes some medication for hyperactivity as well. My sister swears by it and my bro-inlaw tells me there is no way he would make it to school and do his homework without it.
They are the parents and I have no doubt they are doing what they think is best for him.

However, he is aware of what is happening.
This thing broke my fucking heart. I am flying in to go see Iron Maiden with my older nephew (his brother) and I am staying for a few days with them. My older nephew tells me that the little one got into an argument with my sister because he did not wanted to take the meds while I was there. He told his mom he wanted to be himself and enjoy being with me. He recognizes a change and I guess accepts it, but maybe doesn't like it or just doesn't like being someone else.

When I heard this I just about lost it. He is the coolest kid, very active and smart, but fuck!! aren't most normal boys active and loony? I know I was! I have more scars from stitches and wounds than frankenstein.

I guess all you can do is educate yourself, do research, talk to professionals and make the best decision you can make at the given time. Observe him and take it a day at a time.
I hope everything turns out OK for him.

[AK47]

Fun Fact:

If you take any ADHD or SSRI meds as a kid you are automatically no longer eligible to attend any military academy or hold a commisioned rank in the US military.


There are certian exception for ROTC/enlisted type officer promotions or ones with battlefield commisions.

[bibz]

As a kid who took SSRI, for ocd diagnosed when I was 8 for a couple of years, then went back on it when I was diagnosed with depression aswell at 13, eventually tried to go without it and absolutely ballsed up my late teens/early twenties, I'd say medication has its place when used properly. I used lifestyle change to overcome my teen depression when I was 18 (as the hormones slowed down) but a middle ear infection caused gross anxiety/panic disorder. It's taken 5 or more years to get to this level I feel now, like I did at 18. Thanks to zoloft and great family/medico support. You have to use both.

If you don't have the physical properties in place that its meant to be altering theres absolutely no reason to take it. All drugs affect different people in different ways, Effexor made me giddy, Zoloft didn't work for me as a teen, but now does etc.

It's obviously an issue I feel strongly about, but not in a lecture sense, but to educate people on how to successfully treat and live with these issues. A great doctor thats not in any drug companies pocket is paramount. Finding the right chemistry is next, and if the drugs help, you've hit jackpot. Coping is the key here. You are just a big a part of the picture as the drugs your son takes, and your worry symbolises the care and love you show for your son, major kudos there!

I can't say I'm more qualified then anyone here about this stuff, but ak you can't seriously just shove a handful of ritalin in your mouth, get a supposed high and write it all off. I also cannot join the aus military/police etc. which is a shame since those of us with these issues are generally far more gifted intellectually. So I guess you could say we really are to smart to go to war

[thetroy]

Fun Fact:

If you take any ADHD or SSRI meds as a kid you are automatically no longer eligible to attend any military academy or hold a commisioned rank in the US military.


There are certian exception for ROTC/enlisted type officer promotions or ones with battlefield commisions.

I always thought the military was cool with testing drugs on people?

[AK47]

Oh yes I can write of giving children SSRIs and Adhd drugs and here is why:

Would you give your kids speed? Then why give them Ritalin or Dexydrin its the same thing, and if you know a good cook you can get lab like purity. I took one Ritalin pill or recommend dosage for my body weight we did not just shove a handful in our mouths. We did stupid things as kids but we were not stupid about doing it if that makes sence.

Call me crazy but I beleive depression should be treated short term when in 100% of cases it is treated long term and takes months for the SSRIs to work then you cant just stop taking the meds it takes just as long to proparly reduce your dosage. It is very dangerous just to stop.

Call me an outside the box thinker but if I were to treat depression it would be on a case by case basis. I would mostly treat short term with...

a mild opiate and possibly a benzo for no longer than a week then a patient would have to come in for a revaluation as long term treatment with benzo's or opiates can cause dependence. I would also recommend a change of diet and life style.

There are extreme instances of Head Injury patients that do need psych meds even as children as they can be prone to violence. I am all for the pharmacutical treatment in those cases.

One last thing all the bat shit crazy people I met or knew in life were on some sort of med 99% of the time SSRI and would either stop taking it short term and do stupid shit or were just on it for years and well were just bat shit crazy.

I also know some people that as adults take SSRIs and are fine.

[AK47]

I always thought the military was cool with testing drugs on people?

Not on their officers. Enlisted people is different, think man think.

Enlisted=grunt up to NCO or non commisioned officer
Commisioned=Lietenant all the way up to General

So why the ban on hot meds for officers or people wishing to attend the academies? Think about it...

[UFORocks]

One of my cousins has Asperger's syndrome (SP) that wasn't diagnosed until he was 17 or so. Everyone in the family always thought he was just "weird" and he'd grow out of it, nice. Now that he's getting the right treatment, which does include some medication, in some ways he's a much different person.

-Steve

[AK47]

One of my cousins has Asperger's syndrome (SP) that wasn't diagnosed until he was 17 or so. Everyone in the family always thought he was just "weird" and he'd grow out of it, nice. Now that he's getting the right treatment, which does include some medication, in some ways he's a much different person.

-Steve

In instances like you mention did he suffer a head injury or an episode of assifixia(sp?) like near drowning when he was a young child? Was there any complications when he was born?

In instances when someone's brain chemistry does not seam right and they act "weird" as in "weirder" than teenage "weird" it ussually 99% of the time results from a head injury from earlier in childhood. It takes about a year sometimes longer for head injury behavioral problems to manifest themselves.

My brother was one of these head injury "weirdos"

[horns666]

BIBZ..you got OCD too. Man I got it hardcore. I drive myself and my family fuggin' nuts.

XANNAX!!

oh..hail yesterday..

[AK47]

BIBZ..you got OCD too. Man I got it hardcore. I drive myself and my family fuggin' nuts.

XANNAX!!

oh..hail yesterday..

+100000

If something happens and I get real upset and need my nerves to come down a bit I got my good old stash of Zanx. The totem poles man one of those lasts me forever if I take half of it I am out like a light. I still have the same ten for the last year only managed to get through one of those but I only take it if things get real bad like when my mom went to the hospital.

Nothing like dealing with a problem now. Then I can deal with tommorow.

[horns666]

Oh..I'll see your +100000

..and raise you +100000 xannax!!!

Unfortunately I have 100000 hair triggers..and people love to pull 'em.