Kermit the Frog Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Was diagnosed with this twice in my life - once at the age of 16 where I was told that I 'would grow out of it' so didn't need medication, and again last year when life started to become very difficult to manage again. Always knew that I was 'different' so to speak and always seem to get into trouble somehow but recently I have been taking methylphenidate hydrochloride (Concerta XL) and it is pretty strong stuff, just wondered if anybody on here takes it too or wether they have kids who take medication for adhd? A lot of stigma is attached to this disorder so obviously please don't generalise aspects of this condition as everybody is different but I am genuinely jnterested in other people's experiences of living with add or supporting people/ children who have it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moloch Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 OK. I used to work with some kids who had ADHD as a teacher. Their symptoms made it difficult to function in a classroom and a couple were given Ritalin. One of the boys found the side effects of the drug very upsetting and stopped taking it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit the Frog Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 I can see why and is part of my reason for asking.. I dropped out of teacher training because my symptoms were proving too strong. The medication is strong though, and I occasionally get side effects, but for a child these side effects must be terrifying. From a teachers point of view, do you reckon the symptoms were a problem for the child in school because of the nature of formal education or do you think the medication made them worse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lordofthebling Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 I can see why and is part of my reason for asking.. I dropped out of teacher training because my symptoms were proving too strong. The medication is strong though, and I occasionally get side effects, but for a child these side effects must be terrifying. From a teachers point of view, do you reckon the symptoms were a problem for the child in school because of the nature of formal education or do you think the medication made them worse? I work in a special school for children with behaviour difficulties, and I've seen both sides of the coin. On the one side, I might have a child who has been excluded and can't access the curriculum because of the ADHD and the medication just takes the 'edge' off enough to allow the child to access the learning, make gains in the reading, gain in confidence etc... On the other side, I do think ADHD is a simple diagnosis for what might not be the problem - for example children suffering from anxiety, depression and other forms of illnesses could be diagnosed as ADHD. It also can make the children 'zombie' like and it can scare the parents. It can also be a huge challenge to get the level of medication right, as children grow bigger before any reviews. I came into this job strongly against medication, however if it improves a child's life at school; helps with behaviour at home and takes the 'edge' off of the behaviour, then as long as it us reviewed regularly, I'm inclined to say I've changed my original opinion. But I must say, my school is the extreme of behaviour; and not a mainstream school. Children have been excluded 2/3 times before they come to us, some still in key stage 1 - so there are some major challenges for that child. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit the Frog Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Exactly. I am writing my dissertation on ADHD inclusion and another essay on behavioural difficulties and their effects on attendance and the overall view at the moment is that such people are not a problem at all, it's justba product of the environment they are forced into. For example - mainstream education is the round hole and I am a square peg.. I got excluded many times but still had the intelligence to acquire a decent level of education (hence the teacher training) HOWEVER in alternative education (pupil refferal units if you will) pupils are given the attention, support and curriculum they need to attain at national standards. What I am trying to say is people with ADHD or other troubles are being force fed something in a one size fits all approach regardless of intelligence. Unfortunately misdiagnosis happens and it is apparent from my other research into attendance that child welfare is a huge driver behind behaviourial difficulties. How can somebody attain properly or behave if they have anxiety, depression, home issues, bullying problems etc etc etc?! I must say that I do have confidence in the diagnosis procedure in this country as it is quite thorough but my concern is with the medication - it is powerful. I have seen hyperactive kids on my teaching practice reduced to zombies. I have experienced strong 'rushes' from a drug that is effectively amphetamine. I have also had conversations with misunderstood children who have been diagnosed with ADHD and they are just like I was as a kid - bored to death with formal education but keen to learn. I guess what I am trying to say is that yes medication can work, of course it can, but I never experienced medication as a kid - so what are people's experiences of this? Thanks for your replies guys, this is all very interesting to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTFiGO!?! Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Can't help you specifically on ADHD but transferable to my field (mental health), the medical and social models need to be met where it is appropriate for the individual, in a collaboration between the person (or their parent) and the professional. Don't start me on the principle of 'one size not fitting all'. I am still bitter that the education system didn't diagnose my dyslexia until 23. Instead of learning A is for Apple, C is for Cat, I was innocently enquiring as to why there weren't 27 letters in the alphabet instead of 26 and underachieving throughout life for not understanding the rules. There has to be a cross-benefit analysis of meds though, Kermit. A chap I nursed sorted his psychosis but was flat out asleep for 23 hours a day. A girl I knew, put on a shed load of wait because of medication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit the Frog Posted March 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Thankfully new framework and support systems are being put in place by the government that aid the diagnostic process, so that these sort of cases are less likely to be overlooked. Additionally, research findings support what one would expect to be common sense: a one size fits all approach is never right due to an individual's complex and diverse needs. I found at school that despite the help that staff were trying to give me, it just wasn't good enough. I swear down that CAMHS told the school not to shout at me as it would make me misbehave more... Guess what 15 year old Kermit did? That's right I raised hell and got away with it! I'm not proud of my behaviour and these problems didn't go away in adulthood like the 'specialist' said, so I had to wait until the day after my 26th birthday before I was finally re diagnosed. I started medication February this year and the dosage adjustment has been horrendous. If I can't find the right solution I will just give up. One thing does give me hope. I spoke to one inspirational man at my university who (very long story short) told me that there was nothing wrong with me, I have a gift, the same with dyslexic people and autistic people; the problem lies with the fact that as a society people are being replaced by technology. We don't need the massive strong people to do our building projects anymore becuAse we have machines (look at AG!), we don't need people with hyperactive minds that spot links in things (computers do that now) and autistic and dyslexic people who can be extremely creative are no longer in demand. Our gift becomes a problem because it is no longer in use, effectively making us redundant. Medication is something that helps with the side-effects of society if you like, so that we can all live harmoniously and happily to at least some extent. I truly believe that is why ADDers are at around 7 times more risk of addiction and substance abuse; what else do you do if rejected by society? Obviously everybody is different, some people get on fine, but I feel that diagnosis will be far more frequent in a range of learning difficulties and disorders as a result of a technological society becoming more advanced. A professor from Harvard (I forget his name) actually coined a term - Acquired Attention Deficit Disorder (AADD) which is centred around technology being at our finger tips and distracting us at every given opportunity. Social media making us less social of you like. Games giving us high levels of dopamine which make real life more boring and depressing (literally!). Would anyone agree with this? My life goal with regards to my difficulties is to find the right balance between self control and happiness, becuAse I am really bloody struggling at the moment! Maybe I should study a masters in learning difficulties, I think they are fascinating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTFiGO!?! Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Thankfully new framework and support systems are being put in place by the government that aid the diagnostic process, so that these sort of cases are less likely to be overlooked. Additionally, research findings support what one would expect to be common sense: a one size fits all approach is never right due to an individual's complex and diverse needs. I found at school that despite the help that staff were trying to give me, it just wasn't good enough. I swear down that CAMHS told the school not to shout at me as it would make me misbehave more... Guess what 15 year old Kermit did? That's right I raised hell and got away with it! I'm not proud of my behaviour and these problems didn't go away in adulthood like the 'specialist' said, so I had to wait until the day after my 26th birthday before I was finally re diagnosed. I started medication February this year and the dosage adjustment has been horrendous. If I can't find the right solution I will just give up. One thing does give me hope. I spoke to one inspirational man at my university who (very long story short) told me that there was nothing wrong with me, I have a gift, the same with dyslexic people and autistic people; the problem lies with the fact that as a society people are being replaced by technology. We don't need the massive strong people to do our building projects anymore becuAse we have machines (look at AG!), we don't need people with hyperactive minds that spot links in things (computers do that now) and autistic and dyslexic people who can be extremely creative are no longer in demand. Our gift becomes a problem because it is no longer in use, effectively making us redundant. Medication is something that helps with the side-effects of society if you like, so that we can all live harmoniously and happily to at least some extent. I truly believe that is why ADDers are at around 7 times more risk of addiction and substance abuse; what else do you do if rejected by society? Obviously everybody is different, some people get on fine, but I feel that diagnosis will be far more frequent in a range of learning difficulties and disorders as a result of a technological society becoming more advanced. A professor from Harvard (I forget his name) actually coined a term - Acquired Attention Deficit Disorder (AADD) which is centred around technology being at our finger tips and distracting us at every given opportunity. Social media making us less social of you like. Games giving us high levels of dopamine which make real life more boring and depressing (literally!). Would anyone agree with this? My life goal with regards to my difficulties is to find the right balance between self control and happiness, becuAse I am really bloody struggling at the moment! Maybe I should study a masters in learning difficulties, I think they are fascinating.I am concerned about the job market as technology continues to evolve. What is safe and secure as far as I can see are 'people's jobs'. The day compassion and empathy are computed, we too will be made redundant. I am cynical about the diagnosis I see. Schizophrenia is a big an umbrella term as you would care to see, it's vague beyond meaning. 'Personality Disorder' is nothing short of lazy and self-purpetuating. I'm yet to meet a person without 'personality disorder' to one degree or another. Psychiatry is actually creating its own industry. The pharmaceutical companies are even bigger muggers, albeit there is a role for medication. Good old fashioned values of humanity are what are most required. As yet, technology has not developed the capability to calm a person, in the deep stage of dementia, by the mere holding of a hand. Seems you may be in a position to do a job. Learning dissability working can be very rewarding. Have you thought about mental health? Ironically, addicts seem to make the best carer of addicts etc. Poacher come game keeper/prisoner come guard I too am a nightmare for distraction techniques, btw. Football is a drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welcome To The Jungle Posted April 1, 2015 Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 Only worked with two children with ADHD and both were more disruptive after their medication. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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