Allowing an ADHD Teenager to Decide when to Medicate

As the most widely studied childhood condition, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has gained phenomenal recognition among educators, healthcare professionals and parents. For many children, the diagnosis and medication therapy of ADHD means the difference between success and failure in daily interaction and academic performance.

As the parent of a teenager who was diagnosed with ADHD almost six years ago, I have seen, first hand, this impact this condition has upon a child, when medicated and when not medicated. Fortunately, in my son's experience, medication management has worked quite effectively.

In speaking with a close acquaintance, about the ADHD complications with her daughter, I've come to realize that not all parents are afforded the ease of mind even after their child is properly dosed on ADHD medications. For this mother, and her teenage daughter, the use of prescription medications, to manage her ADHD, have only complicated their lives.

Using Concerta as the medication that seems to be most effective, this young teenage girl approached her mother, at the start of the school year, asking that she initiate her medications again. Citing her inability to focus at school, her impulsivity to eat all day and tendency to gain 40 pounds over the summer, her teenage daughter felt the use of Concerta would benefit every aspect of her life.

In response, her mother refilled her ADHD prescription medication and she resumed her dosing the following week of school.

However, with the use of ADHD prescription medications, such as Concerta, this mother found that her daughter was actually experiencing a whole new set of complications. Mood swings, especially in the morning hours before medication was given, were quite common. In the afternoon, after returning home from school, her daughter would experience the "rebound" effect of Concerta, appearing depressed for several hours.