I’m concerned about my 6 year old nephew on Ritalin, I don’t know his dosage but what I do know is I didn’t start taking stimulants (Adderall) until my 30s and it has turned into pure hell for me! Can anyone tell me if my fears for later addiction or other problems I should be worried about for him and his future could be by being on this so young? Or am I being overly worried Aunt seeing what they have done to me and my life. He’s already gone to when he misbehaves telling my brother it’s cause you didn’t give me my medication, which sending huge red flags for me. Any tips or advice?
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BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards | negrogesic
Methylphenidate for my 6yr old nephew safe?
- Thread starter Sivacek
- Start date
TheGyattDamnRizzler
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2024
- Messages
- 392
I would say as someone who has had adhd all my life, I would have been much better off being medicated early. I would like struggle to do anything and then started using hard iv drugs in high school and did not care. That's an extreme case obviously but if they need it to function and chase their dreams I think it shouldn't be a problem. Ritalin is pretty mild too health wise. I understand the argument against medicating children I'm just speaking from my own experience.
Thank you so much for the reply! I just know the hell i go through with stimulants now and didn’t start taking them until older so was worried about him, thank you!
Hey @Sivacek 
It's a really difficult question to answer. We can't tell you whether it's the right choice. Your best metric for that determination is to observe your kid closely. You need to make some determinations for yourself.
As folks who have used stimulants both recreationally and by-prescription, I do feel there are some valuable insights that we can give you.
There are instances n history like the Opioid epidemic that can cause us to lose faith in the field of medicine. I get that. Likewise, it's easy to say that there are too many kids being over-medicated with stimulants to this day. Ultimately, I believe in the validity of central nervous system stimulants, even for minors. I believe the treatment comes with the potential for great benefits if managed correctly.
Also, I believe being medicated during the course of one's academic schooling has the potential for immense benefits. I am someone that has been diagnosed with ADHD and have also been medicated, both in my youth and in adulthood. I believe in the benefits of the medication. However, it is an extremely delicate balance you must strike between this medication and your child. The lowest dose possible, only when needed etc.
The way a lot of different drugs work; a way of understanding the issue of tolerance/dependence for the uninitiated is this:
These drugs are most effective at the lowest dose. Raising one's dosage, be it Opioids or Amphetamines, has the potential to provide more benefit, but always with more risk.
There are prescribing guidelines for instance that might say the standard dose of Amphetamine for a child is:
2.5mg - 60mg Maximum
Generally, when you stay inside these guidelines, it is possible to manage the ups and downs of the medication. The problems often arise when people decide to escalate the dose too high. After a certain point, there is a process of exponentially diminishing returns from these medications. A person can keep taking more, but each successive increase brings proportionately less benefit while contributing more to a tolerance. Most drug addicts, regardless of the drug, it could be Methamphetamine or Cannabis, will reach a threshold of sorts in which they are essentially unable to feel anything from the drugs other than "relief"
A Meth user might describe their first experience with the drug as "a pleasure reserved only for the Gods", while a decade-long user is going to look at their drugs and using them like how a normal person feels about eating a nice breakfast.
My point is, the dose needs to be kept low. Only use as much as your child needs. Take breaks. Monitor the situation. I would advise against ever letting a minor control the drugs.
I'm not realizing that I'm talking to a Mother and that a lot of this information is totally superfluous. Anyway, there is some useful stuff in there. Monitor the situation always. Don't become complacent.
It's a really difficult question to answer. We can't tell you whether it's the right choice. Your best metric for that determination is to observe your kid closely. You need to make some determinations for yourself.
As folks who have used stimulants both recreationally and by-prescription, I do feel there are some valuable insights that we can give you.
There are instances n history like the Opioid epidemic that can cause us to lose faith in the field of medicine. I get that. Likewise, it's easy to say that there are too many kids being over-medicated with stimulants to this day. Ultimately, I believe in the validity of central nervous system stimulants, even for minors. I believe the treatment comes with the potential for great benefits if managed correctly.
Also, I believe being medicated during the course of one's academic schooling has the potential for immense benefits. I am someone that has been diagnosed with ADHD and have also been medicated, both in my youth and in adulthood. I believe in the benefits of the medication. However, it is an extremely delicate balance you must strike between this medication and your child. The lowest dose possible, only when needed etc.
The way a lot of different drugs work; a way of understanding the issue of tolerance/dependence for the uninitiated is this:
These drugs are most effective at the lowest dose. Raising one's dosage, be it Opioids or Amphetamines, has the potential to provide more benefit, but always with more risk.
There are prescribing guidelines for instance that might say the standard dose of Amphetamine for a child is:
2.5mg - 60mg Maximum
Generally, when you stay inside these guidelines, it is possible to manage the ups and downs of the medication. The problems often arise when people decide to escalate the dose too high. After a certain point, there is a process of exponentially diminishing returns from these medications. A person can keep taking more, but each successive increase brings proportionately less benefit while contributing more to a tolerance. Most drug addicts, regardless of the drug, it could be Methamphetamine or Cannabis, will reach a threshold of sorts in which they are essentially unable to feel anything from the drugs other than "relief"
A Meth user might describe their first experience with the drug as "a pleasure reserved only for the Gods", while a decade-long user is going to look at their drugs and using them like how a normal person feels about eating a nice breakfast.
My point is, the dose needs to be kept low. Only use as much as your child needs. Take breaks. Monitor the situation. I would advise against ever letting a minor control the drugs.
I'm not realizing that I'm talking to a Mother and that a lot of this information is totally superfluous. Anyway, there is some useful stuff in there. Monitor the situation always. Don't become complacent.
thank you so much he’s not mine he’s my nephew who lives a few states away, so I was guess looking for just what you gave me so thank you very much!!Hey @Sivacek
It's a really difficult question to answer. We can't tell you whether it's the right choice. Your best metric for that determination is to observe your kid closely. You need to make some determinations for yourself.
As folks who have used stimulants both recreationally and by-prescription, I do feel there are some valuable insights that we can give you.
There are instances n history like the Opioid epidemic that can cause us to lose faith in the field of medicine. I get that. Likewise, it's easy to say that there are too many kids being over-medicated with stimulants to this day. Ultimately, I believe in the validity of central nervous system stimulants, even for minors. I believe the treatment comes with the potential for great benefits if managed correctly.
Also, I believe being medicated during the course of one's academic schooling has the potential for immense benefits. I am someone that has been diagnosed with ADHD and have also been medicated, both in my youth and in adulthood. I believe in the benefits of the medication. However, it is an extremely delicate balance you must strike between this medication and your child. The lowest dose possible, only when needed etc.
The way a lot of different drugs work; a way of understanding the issue of tolerance/dependence for the uninitiated is this:
These drugs are most effective at the lowest dose. Raising one's dosage, be it Opioids or Amphetamines, has the potential to provide more benefit, but always with more risk.
There are prescribing guidelines for instance that might say the standard dose of Amphetamine for a child is:
2.5mg - 60mg Maximum
Generally, when you stay inside these guidelines, it is possible to manage the ups and downs of the medication. The problems often arise when people decide to escalate the dose too high. After a certain point, there is a process of exponentially diminishing returns from these medications. A person can keep taking more, but each successive increase brings proportionately less benefit while contributing more to a tolerance. Most drug addicts, regardless of the drug, it could be Methamphetamine or Cannabis, will reach a threshold of sorts in which they are essentially unable to feel anything from the drugs other than "relief"
A Meth user might describe their first experience with the drug as "a pleasure reserved only for the Gods", while a decade-long user is going to look at their drugs and using them like how a normal person feels about eating a nice breakfast.
My point is, the dose needs to be kept low. Only use as much as your child needs. Take breaks. Monitor the situation. I would advise against ever letting a minor control the drugs.
I'm not realizing that I'm talking to a Mother and that a lot of this information is totally superfluous. Anyway, there is some useful stuff in there. Monitor the situation always. Don't become complacent.
But do know my brother gives it to him definitely not himself!!Hey @Sivacek
It's a really difficult question to answer. We can't tell you whether it's the right choice. Your best metric for that determination is to observe your kid closely. You need to make some determinations for yourself.
As folks who have used stimulants both recreationally and by-prescription, I do feel there are some valuable insights that we can give you.
There are instances n history like the Opioid epidemic that can cause us to lose faith in the field of medicine. I get that. Likewise, it's easy to say that there are too many kids being over-medicated with stimulants to this day. Ultimately, I believe in the validity of central nervous system stimulants, even for minors. I believe the treatment comes with the potential for great benefits if managed correctly.
Also, I believe being medicated during the course of one's academic schooling has the potential for immense benefits. I am someone that has been diagnosed with ADHD and have also been medicated, both in my youth and in adulthood. I believe in the benefits of the medication. However, it is an extremely delicate balance you must strike between this medication and your child. The lowest dose possible, only when needed etc.
The way a lot of different drugs work; a way of understanding the issue of tolerance/dependence for the uninitiated is this:
These drugs are most effective at the lowest dose. Raising one's dosage, be it Opioids or Amphetamines, has the potential to provide more benefit, but always with more risk.
There are prescribing guidelines for instance that might say the standard dose of Amphetamine for a child is:
2.5mg - 60mg Maximum
Generally, when you stay inside these guidelines, it is possible to manage the ups and downs of the medication. The problems often arise when people decide to escalate the dose too high. After a certain point, there is a process of exponentially diminishing returns from these medications. A person can keep taking more, but each successive increase brings proportionately less benefit while contributing more to a tolerance. Most drug addicts, regardless of the drug, it could be Methamphetamine or Cannabis, will reach a threshold of sorts in which they are essentially unable to feel anything from the drugs other than "relief"
A Meth user might describe their first experience with the drug as "a pleasure reserved only for the Gods", while a decade-long user is going to look at their drugs and using them like how a normal person feels about eating a nice breakfast.
My point is, the dose needs to be kept low. Only use as much as your child needs. Take breaks. Monitor the situation. I would advise against ever letting a minor control the drugs.
I'm not realizing that I'm talking to a Mother and that a lot of this information is totally superfluous. Anyway, there is some useful stuff in there. Monitor the situation always. Don't become complacent.
daturetard
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2024
- Messages
- 1,197
Not trying to ruffle feathers, but I think its fucked up to medicate kids for mental shit. It teaches them to take a pill to 'fix' their issues temporarily, not to work on their mental health. ADHD isn't really that bad, not trying to be a dick, but hundreds of thousands- if not millions of people live undiagnosed with adhd or add (and have for many many years). Changing his biochemistry permanently is not going to help him. This is putting him on track to just keep increasing doses and switching prescription when his medication becomes less effective due to tolerance. The body will always look for equilibrium.
emkee_reinvented
Bluelighter
Or the prescriber is crazy.
Or your Nephew the exception of the rule, meaning.
99.8 % won t need it. and he in the 0.2 % group.
Making up the numbers, but giving 6 year Methylphenidate ?
If really medically indicated and if i were a Psychiatrist,
specialised in kid ADHD, 'dib ba di ba di bi doo'.
Dextro-Amphetamine XR or IR would be the 1-st line treatment.
So i find it questionable. And wonder ...
Or your Nephew the exception of the rule, meaning.
99.8 % won t need it. and he in the 0.2 % group.
Making up the numbers, but giving 6 year Methylphenidate ?
If really medically indicated and if i were a Psychiatrist,
specialised in kid ADHD, 'dib ba di ba di bi doo'.
Dextro-Amphetamine XR or IR would be the 1-st line treatment.
So i find it questionable. And wonder ...
But do know my brother gives it to him definitely not himselfHey @Sivacek
It's a really difficult question to answer. We can't tell you whether it's the right choice. Your best metric for that determination is to observe your kid closely. You need to make some determinations for yourself.
As folks who have used stimulants both recreationally and by-prescription, I do feel there are some valuable insights that we can give you.
There are instances n history like the Opioid epidemic that can cause us to lose faith in the field of medicine. I get that. Likewise, it's easy to say that there are too many kids being over-medicated with stimulants to this day. Ultimately, I believe in the validity of central nervous system stimulants, even for minors. I believe the treatment comes with the potential for great benefits if managed correctly.
Also, I believe being medicated during the course of one's academic schooling has the potential for immense benefits. I am someone that has been diagnosed with ADHD and have also been medicated, both in my youth and in adulthood. I believe in the benefits of the medication. However, it is an extremely delicate balance you must strike between this medication and your child. The lowest dose possible, only when needed etc.
The way a lot of different drugs work; a way of understanding the issue of tolerance/dependence for the uninitiated is this:
These drugs are most effective at the lowest dose. Raising one's dosage, be it Opioids or Amphetamines, has the potential to provide more benefit, but always with more risk.
There are prescribing guidelines for instance that might say the standard dose of Amphetamine for a child is:
2.5mg - 60mg Maximum
Generally, when you stay inside these guidelines, it is possible to manage the ups and downs of the medication. The problems often arise when people decide to escalate the dose too high. After a certain point, there is a process of exponentially diminishing returns from these medications. A person can keep taking more, but each successive increase brings proportionately less benefit while contributing more to a tolerance. Most drug addicts, regardless of the drug, it could be Methamphetamine or Cannabis, will reach a threshold of sorts in which they are essentially unable to feel anything from the drugs other than "relief"
A Meth user might describe their first experience with the drug as "a pleasure reserved only for the Gods", while a decade-long user is going to look at their drugs and using them like how a normal person feels about eating a nice breakfast.
My point is, the dose needs to be kept low. Only use as much as your child needs. Take breaks. Monitor the situation. I would advise against ever letting a minor control the drugs.
I'm not realizing that I'm talking to a Mother and that a lot of this information is totally superfluous. Anyway, there is some useful stuff in there. Monitor the situation always. Don't become complacent.
see that’s why I’m concerned and my brother knows nothing of these medications like I do I just don’t in children so very worried
I am not an expert but I can say that smoking marijuana on a daily basis starting at age 13 was one of the worst decisions I ever made in my life. I started drinking at 18 and was a full blown alcoholic by 25. I quit drinking but abused hard drugs (meth and coke) until the age of 35. I was permanently damaged by the meth. I was then completely clean and sober for 20 years but here the the thing.
The young mind does not fully develop until about 26 and any daily drug use before then will stunt that development. It is better to learn to deal with life open life' terms. Also, some psychiatrists are total shi$ bags. I've had 2 so bad they were actually brought up on charges by their own peers. Remember, they make money putting people on drugs. Also, teaching a 6 year old to pay attention is most definitely a normal part of parenting/teaching.
If it were my 6 year old there is no way I would have him on any type of mind altering drug daily.
The young mind does not fully develop until about 26 and any daily drug use before then will stunt that development. It is better to learn to deal with life open life' terms. Also, some psychiatrists are total shi$ bags. I've had 2 so bad they were actually brought up on charges by their own peers. Remember, they make money putting people on drugs. Also, teaching a 6 year old to pay attention is most definitely a normal part of parenting/teaching.
If it were my 6 year old there is no way I would have him on any type of mind altering drug daily.
emkee_reinvented
Bluelighter
They tried to put my daughter on MethylPhenidate at 15.
Declined.
Two neighbourhood kids oldest the brother, a really nice flower giving kid,
turned in a Ritalin zombie for school. Total change off how he used to be,
not happy to see heim change. Bin through it too.
His sis was put on it at 6, terrible. I was 20 + and as its a crappy med.
My preference to start with Dextro-Amphetamine ignored by the retards.
It should be first line treatment medically imo.
And a minimum age above 6, they can always make exceptions.
But 16/ 18 seem more reasonable.
As you can see from some of these replies we have received here, there are a lot of varying opinions on the subject. It's very difficult to say what's right or wrong in this instance.
I do agree that these medications should be reserved for relatively severe instances. The decision to medicate a 6 year old should be one that is predicated on that child's ability to participate in school. It's not a decision that should be made just to "help your kid get better grades" or something like that.
If a six year old were being prescribed a central nervous system stimulant, my thoughts would be that they are totally out of control, bouncing off the walls, both parents and teachers are at the end of the rope; worrying that this child might not be able to be in school without it. In other words, it should be a nuclear option.
I'll tell you my story.
I was one of those bouncing off the walls kids. I was also labeled as "gifted" right around 5 years old. Believe me, I have no love or pride for being "gifted" but it's relevant to the story. I would typically finish stuff relatively early. Then be left to go crazy for the rest of class time. I never had any problems with the academic side, but I would blow up class for the kids and my teachers.
I thought I was a genius because that's what people told me. Anyway, I got into 6th grade, which is age 10-11 and this was the first appearance of "homework" in my academic life. I was responsible for managing my own time, outside of school, which caused everything to go to complete shit overnight for me. My first report card I was failing all academic subjects and passing health and gym.
This went on for a couple of years before I finally tried taking a stimulant. It was the only thing that enabled me to organize my thoughts and my schedule. It was really the only thing that enabled me to finish college and succeed.
Once I was done with college and became a teacher, it was different. I was doing what I loved and everything "clicked" much more easily for me. I was left feeling like I needed the stimulants to get through the monotony of schooling, but not so much to do the job I loved.
I eventually washed out of teaching basically due to my addiction. I had to come back to the states and try to start a new life. When I was living in say, Iraq, I was living in more of a wild-west environment compared to operating in the country. I didn't have to live up to stupid cultural norms, deal with the madness of human resources bullshit, worry about my taxes etc.
Now I have a more normal type of job as a social worker living back in New England. I have a schedule, appointments with coworkers and bosses, I have to deal with health issues (I have lupus which I've only been dealing with for about a year). Anyway, my life is much busier. I since have started taking a stimulant again and I've found it to be helpful. It is helpful with all of the same things I had found it helpful for previously.
My primary point here is that using something like a simulant doesn't have to be every day for the course of a person's life. They may have a hard time with school, like I did. They may have other behavioral issues that are helped by stimulants.
Again, we are not doctors or psychiatrists. I can't comment on say, a kid with Autism's needs for medications. I can't tell you how effective stimulants are for people with Bipolar 1. These issues become incredibly complex, fast.
I do believe that there are legitimate cases for giving a 6 year old stimulants or Cannabis or Opioids or what have you. The decision needs to be made with great care and only as a last resort. Using these substances is the very essence of "playing with fire". People play with fire all the time, some people even eat fire for money, but you can also easily burn down an entire city.
I do agree that these medications should be reserved for relatively severe instances. The decision to medicate a 6 year old should be one that is predicated on that child's ability to participate in school. It's not a decision that should be made just to "help your kid get better grades" or something like that.
If a six year old were being prescribed a central nervous system stimulant, my thoughts would be that they are totally out of control, bouncing off the walls, both parents and teachers are at the end of the rope; worrying that this child might not be able to be in school without it. In other words, it should be a nuclear option.
I'll tell you my story.
I was one of those bouncing off the walls kids. I was also labeled as "gifted" right around 5 years old. Believe me, I have no love or pride for being "gifted" but it's relevant to the story. I would typically finish stuff relatively early. Then be left to go crazy for the rest of class time. I never had any problems with the academic side, but I would blow up class for the kids and my teachers.
I thought I was a genius because that's what people told me. Anyway, I got into 6th grade, which is age 10-11 and this was the first appearance of "homework" in my academic life. I was responsible for managing my own time, outside of school, which caused everything to go to complete shit overnight for me. My first report card I was failing all academic subjects and passing health and gym.
This went on for a couple of years before I finally tried taking a stimulant. It was the only thing that enabled me to organize my thoughts and my schedule. It was really the only thing that enabled me to finish college and succeed.
Once I was done with college and became a teacher, it was different. I was doing what I loved and everything "clicked" much more easily for me. I was left feeling like I needed the stimulants to get through the monotony of schooling, but not so much to do the job I loved.
I eventually washed out of teaching basically due to my addiction. I had to come back to the states and try to start a new life. When I was living in say, Iraq, I was living in more of a wild-west environment compared to operating in the country. I didn't have to live up to stupid cultural norms, deal with the madness of human resources bullshit, worry about my taxes etc.
Now I have a more normal type of job as a social worker living back in New England. I have a schedule, appointments with coworkers and bosses, I have to deal with health issues (I have lupus which I've only been dealing with for about a year). Anyway, my life is much busier. I since have started taking a stimulant again and I've found it to be helpful. It is helpful with all of the same things I had found it helpful for previously.
My primary point here is that using something like a simulant doesn't have to be every day for the course of a person's life. They may have a hard time with school, like I did. They may have other behavioral issues that are helped by stimulants.
Again, we are not doctors or psychiatrists. I can't comment on say, a kid with Autism's needs for medications. I can't tell you how effective stimulants are for people with Bipolar 1. These issues become incredibly complex, fast.
I do believe that there are legitimate cases for giving a 6 year old stimulants or Cannabis or Opioids or what have you. The decision needs to be made with great care and only as a last resort. Using these substances is the very essence of "playing with fire". People play with fire all the time, some people even eat fire for money, but you can also easily burn down an entire city.
shreddedlettuce
Bluelighter
- Joined
- May 31, 2007
- Messages
- 2,182
Mine is short and sweet.
Opposite though, only diagnosed at 30 with ADD inattentive (so no Hyperactivity).
Teachers would tell my parents that I have more potential than most others, but just don't seem motivated to achieve them.
This led to a strenuous childhood, but a good one ( even though it took 40 years to appreciate the life lessons learnt).
I feel I am wiser having been through it, but still wonder how much more successful in the real world I could have been at an earlier age, instead of looking for the right medication to make me happy.
I really think if I had been put on stimulant medication at an early age, with strict monitoring, I could have achieved more than the teachers expected of me and for myself avoided the decades of substance abuse just for me to get by in the social and economic world of the day.
Nice metaphor, and appropriate.
Now I am on a perfect dose of the correct medication and my life seems manageable ..... 40 years too late, but I am so grateful.
If the diagnosis is sound for whatever patient, I wouldn't hesitate to give it a try. Even for a month or two. Why take the risk of the kid losing out in the best years of their life ... while they are kids .
OK, this post wasn't so short, but it kinda makes me feel like a kid again.