[MissyChrissy]

Some people have zero faith in their doctors, while others have 110% faith in them and will believe anything they're told.

Hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20. There comes a point, however, when you just have to let things go. It sounds like you want people to think your parents were horrible for having you put on medication-when in all honestly, if my kid refused to obey the rules, I'd be going to the dr too. They'd be in counseling, and on PINS petition too if necessary (Person In Need of Supervision-like probation for adolescents. If they don't obey-they go to a home). I'm against enabling-and I'm all about accountability.

But-I don't know your personal situation. There are parents out there who honestly shouldn't be parents-and make horrible decisions. I encourage you to let it go though...it's over and nothing can change the past. Staying angry about it now is only keeping that unhappiness in your life-and who needs more negative energy?

You turned out really well-isn't that the important part? Whenever I start feeling sad/angry about my childhood (and sometimes, those thoughts creep up on me too) I remind myself that it was the struggles that helped me be the strong person I am today. So-in a sense-it's a good thing I had a psychotic, bipolar mother (no exaggeration-she even tried to kill me once in one of her psychotic episodes-but that's another story).

Be proud of yourself. You're a survivor. And just let the past stay where it belongs-in the past.

[PamalaLauren]

Originally Posted by wanttobemommy

i understand that some medications are neccesary as in Kaylees case but the problem is my parents medicated me literally without even listening enough to anything. The statistics on my meds have been know for at least 10 years and that would put me at 12 only a year into the meds. yes they could have had them same affect from a year but I am sure that three years of it made it worse. Also the problem that I was addressing here is my parents put me on whatever a dr said to put me on. I was not a danger to anyone else or myself. I was hyper and stubburn. They were trying to find a way to subdue me. They thought that since i had soo much energy they didnt know how to deal with it. Instead of signing me up for another dance lesson or gymnastics practice they medicated me

I totally understand where you're coming from. Even though Kaylee had to be on the medicine I made sure to go online and research the side effects and alternatives to the medicine. I just don't take my doctor's word for it. And I think that's how all parents should be.

In your case though I would guess your parents didn't have as much access to material as we do now days. I mean all we have to do is google a medication name and there it is for us.

I do agree though that medication is used far too often for "hyper" children because people just give up instead of working to fix the problem in other ways.

[wanttobemommy]

this isnt really a post that was intended to be about me or my parents. It was more of a general question i wanted to hear other parents thoughts on medicating children as it is a VERY personal subject for some. I do not in any way want to say my parents were bad parents. I do not want to say they were good either. Me personally will only medicate my children if neccesary not for disorders like ADD. As fars as the PINS petition it doesnt neccesarily help anyone involved. Where I am from it is called CHINS petition CHild In Need of Supervision. 90% of kids that get these petitions are then placed in juvie for being TEENAGERS!!! I do not agree with medicating your child for hyper activity. I do not think that these diagnosis' can be trusted anymore. But that is my opinion and we are all entitled to it. Personally i do believe that kids will be kids they are not always going to be 100% obedient and some people have to adjust to their circumstances. I am not going to air my life story but am just going to say I am from a blended familiy that blended a little immaturly. But again this was not supposed to be a debate on what threats will be given or what other options there are it was just a general question to see peoples ideas on medicating their kids

[Michelespreemies]

I was dx with Bi-Polar, anxiety, and severe headaches long ago and I was on medication on and off my entire life. I will ask a doctor for it when I feel I need it, but I refuse to take it when I feel I don't need it. I freak out when I read about the side effects, but if I have to take it to lead a normal life, then i will take it.

I have 4 children and all 4 take atleast 1 med for something or another. BUT all are legit medical dx's. I actually took Carlee off of 3 or 4 of her meds in the past and then told the doc that she didn't need it because she was fine without it.

[floresazules]

I just want to give tell you my own personal experience and maybe that well help you. I sufer from Maniac depresion since I was a child but my parents never did anything because I came from a very small town in south ameria were people are no imform, Im 31 years old now, but I did't relize I was with that condition until I was 17, I tallk to a general doctor and he make fun of me, never tallk to any one again about it. Until a couple years.
Sice them I have learned so much about different natural alternatives, self help books, groups etc... I stay an medication for maybe 6 months but I decide to try the natural way, because I feel this is something Im going to leard to control for the rest of my life and I dont want to be on medicaion forever.
My point is, if you have the imformation and resources to help your child now that they are still kids, wich you doing now by talking on this forum, thats great! keep up the good work, the most important thing , more that any medication is love and that they have you. I hope my story help you make a wise decision.

[mcmama]

Fourth grade is not too early to diagnose Bi polar disorder, at least not these days. But medicating children with anti depressants still continues to cause concern and be closely monitored. Kids have a faster metabolism than adults, so they have to really be watched for side effects and for changes in behavior as they grow.

flores, I am sorry you were ridiculed. It is a very difficult thing to go through, and doctors really should have better knowledge.

[NannyBecks]

I am sorry that you are feeling unhappy about this, but I totally understand. I was diagnosed with a disease in 2001 that I was put on numerous medications for. I took all these meds for years until I went to another dr. and they told me that I didn't even have the disease I was taking all these medicines for. Doctors are not always right 100% of the time, and I think it's really important to get second opinions and research stuff as much as possible. In terms of giving medications to your son, I found this article online...hope it helps!
http://newsaboutkids.com/few-kid-tested-drugs

[Beaglesfly]

My son is 7 years old and just finished first grade. He was diagnosed with ADHD during kindergarten. I have read a lot about medicating and not medicating for his condition - we choose not to medicate him at this time.

The "system" is making it very difficult to continue with this decision (basically it is the insurance company that gives us the hardest time of all). He needs a TSS worker to help him through the school day - for lack of focus and some behavioral problems. But it is a continual fight with the insurance company to keep the TSS worker in place. I get the impression that they would prefer he be medicated to make it cost less for them.

Even the school system here seems to tend to lean towards medicating. My husband wonders aloud what happened to allowing individuality in the classroom. Instead nowadays it's about all children being the same, being quiet and studious. No deviation from the "norm" allowed.

We've tried some homeopathic avenues - one supplement that was specifically manufactured for ADHD children actually made his ADHD symptoms worse

I would like to see more definitive long term studies of children that have been medicated and have not been medicated - there's just not enough information out there currently about how this will affect my child when he gets older. I hear both sides of the argument - if you don't medicate him, his self esteem will suffer; if you do medicate him, he won't learn to cope using his own mental facilities.

Wish I had a crystal ball to see into the future.

[altland]

Thank god my children have been very healthy. When they do get sick, I am a researcher, which I think clouds the situation even more. I probably drive the doctors crazy at times, because I keep asking questions until I understand what's going on.

I strongly believe in a parent's intuition. Only you know your child the best. Doctors and teachers only see numbers and statistics. They don't live with the child. There's right and wrong in every decision. You have to fight for what you think is best, but still be open minded to new treatments. As parents, it seems like we always have to walk a fine line to keep everybody happy. In this crazy information age, you would think we could get more definite answers sometimes.

Keep up the fight and do what you think is best!!! I wish for that crystal ball too!!!

[QueenAngie]

My parents did the best they could parent for me as far as
the knowledge available at the time, their resources, and their love.

No, I do not have ADHD, but you have to have faith in your parents
that they lovingly did the best they could as far as parenting you
some 20 years ago.

If they did 'the best they could do for parenting and loving you' what more would you want?

Years back, when I was a child, there was no Tylenol...there was only baby aspirin for fever and pain. It was the only drug available at that time.

Now, it has been shown never to give children under the age of 17 aspirin because of Reye's Syndrome.

* * *

As a parent, I am doing the best that I can for my sons,
as I know that you are also doing for your own son, dear.

You are a great parent!