I'm Lazy: Would Ritalin Help?

beatlesgirl25

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-lazy-would-ritalin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:1cc34d45-f5ab-4852-9bf0-b01e79382c77Post:12407354-41e2-46ec-b04e-c59bd281fad2">Re: I'm Lazy: Would Ritalin Help?</a>:
[QUOTE]Beatles, my friend worked a day care, and one of the kids was diagnosed with ADHD and medicated.  But the girl was violent (pushing, headbutting, kicking other kids AND the day care workers) and liked to throw screaming tantrums (she was 10) and argue with everyone and just be belligerant and obnoxious.  At what point do you say...Hmmm maybe something else is going on here?  With my (non-expert) psych knowledge I could easily come up with at least 4 or 5 other possible diagnoses, along with a whole host of other problems (like bad parenting possibly).  Obviously I don't know her full history and would never say "Oh, she obviously has THIS" because of that, and because I'm not qualified to do so, but it seemed so obvious to me that ADHD wasn't the real problem.
Posted by JK10910[/QUOTE]

Oh, that's sad. I think it's tough for anyone to be sure about diagnostic situations with kids, especially when there's so much going on. Obviously the psych people are prone to think "social/emotional spectrum" and med people will think "physiological spectrum."

I just wish the knee-jerk reaction wasn't "let's try some meds" because once you start a kid on meds, you are not only introducing external chemicals into their bodies, but also influencing any future meds they will need or take, the continued development of their brain, and also they may never be without meds again. I know some kids need it, but it's just too much these days IMO.

Duckezqwak2163

Taking a stimulant to help you get more done in the day is NOT a good idea.  I was diagnosed with ADD three years ago (after about three weeks of testing), and now take a low dose of Concerta.  However, I didn't begin taking a stimulant until I had begun altering my behavior on my own to make me more productive. 

I worked with a psychologist to find behaviors that would help me.  I make a lot of lists, I use a lot of sticky notes, and I schedule every moment of my day.  Instead of jumping right to altering your brain chemically, you should work on behaviors like those, or changing your diet.

Also, I don't know if all stimulants work exactly the same way, but I can tell you that taking it every once in a while would not work.  It took me about three weeks to adjust to the medication.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I don't know. I'm too lazy to go to my real doctor more than once a year. I can't imagine having enough time to go doctor shopping. I wonder what my job would say if I had THAT many Drs appts.

wadingmoose

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-lazy-would-ritalin?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:1cc34d45-f5ab-4852-9bf0-b01e79382c77Post:a14d8755-abc0-4463-812d-cb625119f98c">Re: I'm Lazy: Would Ritalin Help?</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah, take ritalin every day. You'll probably get anxiety problems, so take some pills for that too. But make sure these dont cause sleep problems, then you'll need sleeping pills. Of course these might cause morning fatigue, so take some provigil. But don't take the provigil the same time as the ritalin or you'll probably have heart problems. But don't worry, they make pills for high blood pressure.
Posted by jessjo04[/QUOTE]

Ahhh Jess.  You made me giggle.