Expert: Sharon Crandall - 7/5/2010

Question
My 11 yr old son takes 18 mg of Concerta during the school year to help him with focus and organization.  He has been taking it since the spring of '09 (his 3rd grade) and it has made a tremendous difference in his ability to stay focused on the teacher and tasks at hand.  His confidence level has increased and socially he is doing great.  During the school year he would not take Concerta on the weekends so that his appetite would increase.  We also discontinue its use during the summer.  Lately, however, I have been noticing he seems very lethargic.  We try to stay active as a family with swimming, biking, tennis, etc.  When we take part in activity he is often weepy and tired.  When I asked him about it he said he just feels so tired.  This is not typical behavior for an 11 yr old boy.  Does this lethargy go alone with ADD and if so should we be giving him Concerta through the summer?  Our hope is that he will grow out of the need for it and summer is a great time to observe behaviors around the home without negatively affecting grades.  On the other hand, it doesn't seem healthy to go throughout the day struggling with lack of energy.

Answer
Hi Helena,

I am not an expert on medication but I can tell you that these medication have serious side effects. Being tired like that can also be a sign of heart problems and these medications sometimes cause heart problems. I would make sure he gets a thorough exam, and not just listening to his heart one time through a stethoscope.

I am working with a young woman who has taken some of these medications, and then her doctor proscribed other medications on top of those to help the side effects and then got side effects from those medication, and so on, until she is so addicted that she can't get off her medications and she can't function because she is so tired that doing anything wipes her out. She also can't sleep now and is trying to get off medications but is having a horrible time doing so.

There are other things you can do besides medicate and the first thing to realize is that his difficulty in focusing, etc. could very easily be traits that show other talents.  You might like to read my posts on my blog concerning ADD/ADHD. www.personalitysciencesays.blogspot.com

There is the Drake Institute, nutritional products, brain exercises, too that help the brain function better.

So, check out support groups of parents of kids with ADD/ADHD who are doing things besides medicating and that should help you get some ideas.

If I can be of further help once you have done a little research and read my blog, please feel free to contact me again.  You can contact me from my website, too. www.personalitysoncultant.com

I hope for the best for you. I don't mean to scare you but if your doctor doesn't take this seriously I would get another doctor.

Sharon Crandall
Personality Science Consultant