Thursday, October 06, 2005

AD/HD: Drug Warning. Strattera Causes Suicidal Tendencies

According to Parents.com: "The FDA is advising doctors and caregivers that children being treated with Strattera should be closely monitored for clinical worsening, as well as agitation, irritability, suicidal thinking or behaviors, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few months of therapy or when the dose is changed (either increased or decreased)."

I don't fancy the fight I'm going to be having with the school system over my first grader. She's borderline AD/HD, though undiagnosed. My Mum called it years ago, but I've been reluctant to embrace the diagnosis. I know what it's like to go through the school system with AD/HD. I didn't want to wish it on her, but I worry about her self-esteem surviving intact so I treat her as if she has AD/HD now. If I can train her and prepare her I am hopeful we can lick this thing. However, if she is ever diagnosed with AD/HD officially I will be very resistant to medicating her. I cannot take the chance that she is like me - not if it means suicidal tendencies like I experienced and permanent neurological damage. I'm more interested in Cognative Behavior Therapy, especially when tailored for AD/HD. Teaching her how to manage herself the way I have learned seems to be helping her.