Is it okay to stop taking ADD meds on the weekends?!
Question: I have a friend who is ADD. His pills don't seem to make him focus much more at school, but when the pills start to wear off around 4 PM, it is definitely noticeable.
He does not take his pills on the weekends, saying that he doesn't need to focus then.
This is quite annoying, because it's hard to carry a conversation with him when he keeps shouting out "OH, and look at this picture!" or something to that effect.
But more than the annoyance factor, I'm wondering if it's even HEALTHY to start-and-stop with ADD pills. As someone who takes anti-depressants, I know this is absolutely not acceptable, and is responsible for most of my body-clock changes, appetite changes, mood swings, and general irritability.
Wouldn't something similar occur with ADD pills? Or is it really okay to just take them as needed?
Answers: I have a friend who is ADD. His pills don't seem to make him focus much more at school, but when the pills start to wear off around 4 PM, it is definitely noticeable.
He does not take his pills on the weekends, saying that he doesn't need to focus then.
This is quite annoying, because it's hard to carry a conversation with him when he keeps shouting out "OH, and look at this picture!" or something to that effect.
But more than the annoyance factor, I'm wondering if it's even HEALTHY to start-and-stop with ADD pills. As someone who takes anti-depressants, I know this is absolutely not acceptable, and is responsible for most of my body-clock changes, appetite changes, mood swings, and general irritability.
Wouldn't something similar occur with ADD pills? Or is it really okay to just take them as needed?
If he takes Ritalin, he should take it consistently, but there are no negative effects if he stops and starts. That medication, unlike anti-depressants, does not stay in your system more then a few hours (time release up to 8). That 4pm wear off activity, is him adjusting his mind to control himself, because he has not had to do it all day, sometimes it takes up to a few hours for people to notice they don't have control of themselves anymore. The only time I would recommend weekend breaks, is if he is losing too much weight, or he will be alone at the time he is unmedicated (no phone calls either). Unfortunately people don't realize how having untreated ADD negatively effects their social life. You are annoyed now, eventually you and others may start avoiding him. People avoid him, he gets depressed, his ADD makes him forget to take his depression meds regularly, and then he gets really messed up. Most of the negative things he will do, he will be clueless about. Interrupting, ranting monologues, not noticing social cues of others. It is important that he be medicated to notice these things, and prevent social isolation in his future. Also because he is young, he will be practicing how to behave properly in weekend settings in his future. Please share this information with him. I wish I had it, before it was too late. ADDED Sorry I am not familliar with concerta. I have taken Ritalin since 1995
honestly, i I think alot of peoples' attention deficit problems and depression problems are problems with diet and / or love.....laney
I really believe those meds are sort of placebos anyway...meaning they are sugar pills. Your friend should definitely try to slowly get off the pills and that is a great start. I wouldnt do it if they were really bad if they didnt take the pills though. Good luck
your friend is completely wrong about not taking his add adhd meds. he needs to be thinking correctly all the time. I have a 13 yr old who is adhd & bipolar 1 disorder, she has been this way since the fourth grade. It is not a wise move to be self medicating oneself by taking meds only on certain days & not on others. you can do a lot of harm to you body.
As far as food goes ? B.S. but he might want some tests done to see what his bodies heavy metal content is .. i.e. like Mercury, etc. sorry but its a lot of info for a young person & maybe you should share it with an older brother or Sister.. heck even mom or dad.
hope this helps & you pay heed to what i wrote.
Peace.