Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 15479

Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Any possibility?

Posted by Jon on November 18, 1999, at 14:21:00

Hey ya'll,
Thanks for helping me with my last question Dove, I really like the combination of compassion and knowledge you guys have on this forum. When I can, I'll try to do my share also in relating my experiences.
Anyway, I know that Ritalin blocks the dopamine receptors from reabsorbing it, therefore making a little bit go a long way. Anyway, I'm getting a tolerance now and I'm thinking that my body isn't producing as much dopamine to counteract the affects. And, even when I'm off Ritalin I wake up feeling worse than normal. I'm wondering if my brain could have stopped producing as much dopamine as before, therefore causing that affect. Recently, I've been feeling like I need to take Ritalin just to get back to my normal state of mind. Is this possible or am I just worrying?
Also, I was wondering if there are any long term physiological effects from Ritalin. Thanks alot.
Jon
P.S. This is a different topic completely but do you guys really think it's healthy to put pre-adolescent children on drugs that alter brain chemistry? I have my own opinions but I'm way to tired to go off on them. I've actually been up all night studying for a test. Time for some beauty sleep, haha, sorry I'm delirous and babbling.

 

Any possibility? (to Jon,my Ritalin experience)

Posted by CarolAnn on November 18, 1999, at 19:32:07

In reply to Any possibility?, posted by Jon on November 18, 1999, at 14:21:00

>>>do you guys really think it's healthy to put pre-adolescent children on drugs that alter brain chemistry?>>>

Hey Jon, if you go up to a thread called, "Ritalin to treat depression"(around November 14) and read my post,"Re:Ritalin to treat depression(to SB)" you will find my specific response to using Ritalin. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll rewrite it for you.

As for your 2nd question, no I don't think it is a good idea to give this type of thing to kids. I keep reading stuff about how no one knows what the long term effects are happening in all those brains which are still developing. Also, alot of parents have kids, who don't really need it, on Ritalin. Instead of accepting the fact that a child might just have a very energetic personality and needs consistent disciplin(not punishment) these parents use drugs to keep there child sedated enough to toe the line. I would have to be facing very extreme hyper-activity if I were going to even *consider* putting my daughter on Ritalin. Hope your test went well! CarolAnn:)

 

Re: medicating children

Posted by dove on November 19, 1999, at 9:40:54

In reply to Any possibility? (to Jon,my Ritalin experience), posted by CarolAnn on November 18, 1999, at 19:32:07

Oohh.. You have hit a hot spot. I will give ya'll this, I believe sedating children and dulling their creativity is awful. But, helping them avoid depression, suicide, drug abuse ect.. is not. I have five children, only one of them is on any meds or has ever been dxed with any emotional/mental disorders. My daughter is my twin and I will do my best to help her avoid the difficulties she is going to face as she matures into an adult.

My husband and I have removed the CNS stimulant and we're only working on the severe anxiety and depression. By the time I was 8 I had already tried to do myself in and I refuse to allow the same to happen to her without a fight. A fight that includes BuSpar, a fight that may include a mood-stabilizer at some point.

We view the hyperness, and she is ultra hyper, as a plus, she gives out the most but also demands the most. The only sad thing is the fact that when she took the stimulants she could finish her painting without starting over a hundred times because of imperfections. She could finish writing a story without crying in frustration over invisible flaws. She had better self-esteem, she was emotionally stable and felt like she was worth something.

So, take away the stimulant and you are left with a mood-swingin' hyper, depressed, anxious, hair-pulling, skin picking, frustrated little girl, whom I love with all my heart. Is this the real her, should I ignore the advances in medicine which could finally fight off a family legacy of suicide, depression, drug abuse and death?

Just some thoughts to add on this gloomy morning. I do not intend any of my above comments to be directed harshly at anyone in particular. I am just sharing a view from the inside so-to-speak.
Take care :-)

dove

 

Re: Any possibility?

Posted by saint james on November 20, 1999, at 3:06:23

In reply to Any possibility?, posted by Jon on November 18, 1999, at 14:21:00

> P.S. This is a different topic completely but do you guys really think it's healthy to put pre-adolescent children on drugs that alter brain chemistry? I have my own opinions but I'm way to tired to go off on them.

James here....

As a kid ( I'm 35 now) I took Rit. in first and second grade and again in the 4 th grade. Wow did it make a difference ! School made sence, b4 I was failing even though I was smart. I did not feel drugged or anything. I never really understood the process of doing school work till I was on Rit. I think it is better to try Rit. in kids where it is indicated (by proper doc's, not teachers). I don't think it is fair to not allow a child to get the meds they need or at least try them. If they don't work, then you know. If you don't try them you will never know. Many kids do well on Rit or another stim. No one would withhold insulin from a kid who needs it. For many ADD'ers stims are as specific a treatment as Insulin for diabeties. We have lots of supporting info on ADD and stims. However no child should feel drugged on their ADD meds, if they are it is an indication the dose or med is wrong. Use of meds needs to be part of an overall treatment plan with careful followup. Handing out pills just because a child is a problem in class is not the proper way to use meds.

j

 

Re: medicating children

Posted by Elizabeth on November 20, 1999, at 7:30:50

In reply to Re: medicating children, posted by dove on November 19, 1999, at 9:40:54

> I believe sedating children and dulling their creativity is awful.

What psych medications typically given to children are sedating or creativity-dulling?

> But, helping them avoid depression, suicide, drug abuse ect.. is not. I have five children, only one of them is on any meds or has ever been dxed with any emotional/mental disorders.

Well, if they haven't been diagnosed with a disorder they probably shouldn't be on meds.

> My daughter is my twin and I will do my best to help her avoid the difficulties she is going to face as she matures into an adult.

That is good. I think any responsible parent should do this.

> The only sad thing is the fact that when she took the stimulants she could finish her painting without starting over a hundred times because of imperfections. She could finish writing a story without crying in frustration over invisible flaws. She had better self-esteem, she was emotionally stable and felt like she was worth something.

"Frustration tolerance" is a nice descriptive term from this. If ADHD is indeed her problem (I haven't read all the threads), this is common. (Has she ever tried antidepressants -- SSRIs in particular?)

My best to you and to your daughter.

 

Re: medicating children

Posted by dove on November 20, 1999, at 9:22:31

In reply to Re: medicating children, posted by Elizabeth on November 20, 1999, at 7:30:50

> What psych medications typically given to children are sedating or creativity-dulling?

There is a history of manic-depression in my family and the meds used to combat this seem to dull and inhibit the creativity that also seems to accompany it. I have mixed feelings about the different mood-stabilizers to say the least, hopefully I can educate myself and overcome my personal biases.

> Well, if they haven't been diagnosed with a disorder they probably shouldn't be on meds.

Yes, none of the other kids are on meds. I was kinda fighting the stereotype of the family that drugs all their children because they all have behavior problems. I have met the parents and children of families that do this, so I was a little defensive :-)

> That is good. I think any responsible parent should do this.

Thank you.

> "Frustration tolerance" is a nice descriptive term from this. If ADHD is indeed her problem (I haven't read all the threads), this is common. (Has she ever tried antidepressants -- SSRIs in particular?)

She has tried some of the SSRI's with mania promptly presenting itself, in hours of the first does actually.

> My best to you and to your daughter.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, I appreciate it.

dove

 

Re: medicating children

Posted by Elizabeth on November 20, 1999, at 18:20:28

In reply to Re: medicating children, posted by dove on November 20, 1999, at 9:22:31

> There is a history of manic-depression in my family and the meds used to combat this seem to dull and inhibit the creativity that also seems to accompany it. I have mixed feelings about the different mood-stabilizers to say the least, hopefully I can educate myself and overcome my personal biases.

That is not my own experience with mood stabilizers. Depakote and Lamictal had no effect on me whatsoever; Neurontin had an anti-anxiety effect and gave me the munchies; and lithium has helped a great deal, in particular with anhedonia. None of them made me less creative. Then again, I was not manic. I don't think that manic energy is the same thing as true creativity, however.

> She has tried some of the SSRI's with mania promptly presenting itself, in hours of the first does actually.

Even when she took them with mood stabilizers? (Bipolar + OCD is a tough thing to treat.)


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