General Anxiety Disorder and ADHD in 8 year old

Not sure if this is in the correct forum - feel free to move to a more appropriate place if not.

My son sees a peadiatrician and has been on Lovan for his GAD for 2 years now. He has been assessed for Aspegers which he has not got but today he has been diagnosed with ADHD, which his psychologist, the peadiatrcian and us believe he has. He is extremely hyperactive and impulsive and finds it hard to sit still even for dinner. The peadiatrician saw him today and assured me his behaviour in the office today is not that of a typical 8 year old and believes he would benefit from taking Ritalin 3 times daily.

Does anyone else have a child taking this medication, or this medication with the lovan also? I am keen to try it but would like to first see what experience others have had whilst taking it. Side effects, pros/ cons, etc. I have recieved information from the peadiatrician about this, but always trust the BB members for real life stuations :)

He has had his IQ tested also and is classed as gifted. If there are others with gifted children who also have ADHD I would be interested to hear how medication has helped/hindered them with school and learning too.

Thanks,

wow, what a challenging combination you have! GAD, ADHD & Giftedness.....!

I don't have a child of my own in that situation, but I have worked with lots of kids who have taken medication and those that have not....I am not pro meds, nor am I anti meds.... but honestly, those who are on medication who are in stable home environments to seem to get some benefit from it... I also see children who I wonder if the parents just gave it a chance, would see a big difference in their child's ability to concentrate and focus.... and then others, who the medication made the child seem like a different kid...

mostly I suggest to parents that it might not hurt to give it a try... if there is not perceivable benefits after six months, then you can decide whether to give it up.... if there are bad side effects then you know it's not for him...

He may really appreciate being able to focus... or he may hate the feeling of being 'locked in' (if that's what it does to him...remember everyone is different, and you won't know unless you try it).

in the meantime, I would also suggest making sure the gifted side is supported adequately - if he is suitably challenged in the classroom and at home he may be more focused as well! Get him involved in extra programs for gifted children - The CHIP foundation, MENSA etc....that way he can be associating with other bright children and can feel more similar to his peers (if he can pay attention long enough ;) )

good luck!!!

I am an adult with adhd. my mother tried to ignore what was wrong with me and it was detrimental for both of us.
Im so glad you have had your child properly assessed and have a good diagnosis, now you can help him.

medicating children feels wrong for many parents but often it is giving a gift to your child. some peace. it can feel manic and out of control at times.
the meds may start acting fast or take a few weeks. I hope you will notice soon.
have a search online and read up about the meds on offer pros and cons of each so you can keep a close eye on him and how he is.
ritalin has had a lot of bad press but when it works well its great.

thank you for giving your son a chance at a good life

Thanks for replying MyTurn. Yes, he is a bit of a handful and has taken us a while to get to this diagnosis and I believe we are slowly getting there.

We have had trouble with the school and getting appropriate work for him as no-one wants to 'rock the boat' in case it makes him too anxious and then we end up going backwards. Both the psychologist and paed have said that the medication will probably assist with how he expresses himself and make his talents become more pronounced which will in turn help to build self-esteem. The Paed will review in 3 months or sooner if need be. So, in saying that, I guess I am quite happy to trial the medication. Like you mentioned, it would be nice to see how he was with the ability to concentrate and focus more. I think he would feel so much more empowered and that is what is driving me to try it the most. To give him the opportunity to feel calm and at ease in his own body.

DS2 also shows similar signs of ADHD but with less anxiety, though it is still apparent as shown by his lack of fingernails :) They tend to feed off each other so would be interesting to see how the whole family dynamic changes if DS1 were to settle down a little.

Thanks for responding :)

The medication might also help him develop strategies to manage the anxiety better too...

Maybe if the school makes the more challenging work a 'special project' for if he wants to... or he can choose from some activities - some at the level he is capable, and others at a harder level.... then he will feel more in control of what he can do....

maybe the psych can come and meet with the teachers and advise them directly???

I do hope it goes well for him, I agree with doubletrouble - the earlier you put things in place to help, the more likely he will learn to manage.

My DD2 has been prescribed ritalin, but 12 months later I still haven't started the trial. I've moved to a different state & we were getting by ok. I need to find a paed & I think I'll start it soon though. I need to, so I know what the right decision is for her.

clover, if left untreated as a child it can make teenage years damaging and life as an adult much harder.
the low self esteem is one thing but its the thought patterns that need to ve changed as an adult that can make things difficult.

many things kids with adhd do that aren't their fault as treated as the child being naughty or careless. but either help and medication can easily be sorted and corrected.

next year I will get my oldest son tested as I see familiar patterns and I will have no trouble medicating him should he need it.

in saying that, please research the meds to help your child find the best one. some make you very blah, some make you feel strange- locked in was a good description and some click and make things clear for you.
an adhd child will always have a lot of energy so teaching them relaxation and wind down exercises can make a big difference.

Just wanted to update to say he has been taking Ritalin since Saturday and we have seen a great improvement already. He himself said it isn't as noisy in his head anymore. He actually sat in a chair to have a conversation with me - not bouncing or kicking or standing on his head- on his bottom in a chair!!! Then he started doing 12 digit algorithms on Sunday afternoon. I think we have made the right decision. Hopefully your experience is going positively like mine clover. Let us know how she is has started. And thanks everyone for the advice :)

:) I started DD on Saturday as well :lol:

I've started with half the dose & will up it to the full dose next week I think. Half tablet twice a day for now.

The first day was awesome! She sorted her clothes like I asked, watched a full movie & sat & played uno with the girls without being silly.
Since then she's still been herself, but her teacher commented on how she wasn't as silly as usual today.

She's only having half in the morning before school, then not again til after. I want the teacher to see the difference between morning & afternoon before I up the dose to a full one. Then after we start the full tablet we'll start the morning & lunch ones.

Glad its working so well so quickly for you :)