Misconception #1: Doctors and therapists are giving you advice based on kickbacks they receive from pharmaceutical companies.
Fact: Building a trustworthy relationship with your child’s pediatrician and/or their psychiatrist is truly your burden. Do your research and take the time to have frank discussions over your medication concerns before diving into the ADHD drug world. Check out your child’s doctor here to track dollars received from pharm reps, then have an up-front conversation.
It took me 3 years of conversations and research before I felt comfortable giving my child ADHD medication. My mom raised me to question government and corporate institutions. Indeed, some professionals grew impatient with me and my perceived ignorance over new ADHD research and development. Those who took the time to educate me and empathize with my fears are still part of my medical family.
Misconception #2: Parents who medicate their child are just too lazy/impatient/weak to parent/discipline their child through difficult behavior problems.
Fact: There are behavior problems and there are BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS. As a teacher, I see kids falling asleep because they are on the wrong medication, and I see kids who fail classes because their parents won’t listen to doctors. For years, I had the misconception that parents only medicate their children to make their parenting job easier. The truth is, I had the following experiences (and more) before I explored medication for my child’s ADHD:
- I read a study published when my son was a baby. The study found that children exposed to television before the age of 3 are more susceptible to ADHD, so we went without TV until the magic age when he had grown too hyper to watch a show to completion anyway.
- Until he was 4, my son smeared feces all over the walls, carpet, and himself if he was left to sleep in his own bedroom alone; therefore, most nights, I laid there with him instead of relaxing, catching up on grading, or completing household tasks.
- When my son wasn’t knocking down display racks or snaking with the mini cart while running down the aisles, he was talking constantly so as to block any adult thought processes.
- People constantly stared at us in public with disgust, and others demanded, “Can you please control your child?!” All this while I displayed textbook discipline methods, and my child cackled in my face as I failed.
- The school called numerous times with conflicts my son was having with the sweetest kids in the class. The school officials followed the law by not explicitly asking me to medicate, but using language that I, as a teacher, have equated to, “WHY don’t you see your child needs medication?”
- Other parents or grandparents would play show and tell with their kids to brag about how proficient the child was at reading, foreign language, math, coloring, manners, video games, etc…then follow up with, “If [your son] would learn the word NO, he could do it too.”
The list goes on but, after you read, comment on experiences you had that led to your decision.
Misconception #3: Medical professionals play around with the dosages because the benefits of medication aren’t real.
Fact: We still only know a portion of why the body reacts to stimuli the way it does and how those reactions vary in different people. As your child grows, the nerves change, and so do your child’s needs.
WHAT I LEARNED: I went through the most difficult years of my life because of this struggle, and now my child brings home proficient standardized testing scores, smiles, and joy. I did this without my mom; therefore, I can do anything.
PLEASE SHARE: What experiences led you to medicate your child? Please comment and share your story.
