Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 10/8/2008

Question
Hi Joyce,
Our daughter is taking 10 mg. Metadate for ADHD in the AM, and 2.5 mg. Abilify in the PM, before bedtime. It has helped, yet we're now seeing increased irritability and defiance, lack of focus, poor grades, as we did last year, when school started. I've asked our MD about increasing medication dosage, yet worry that doubling both will be too much...your thoughts? How do we help her refocus and stop talking/distracting classmates and teachers?
Thanks,
Laura

Answer
Hi Laura:

Unfortunately, many kids exhibit anxiety at school, which shows the increased defiance and irritability.  The first thing I would do was see if your daughter could be moved to a smaller classroom.  There would be less distraction and she would feel less anxiety.  Also, has she been tested for any learning disabilities?  Often it can be only one subject that is causing a problem, but can affect the child's behavior.

I would not consider increasing both medications at the same time.  Increasing the Metadate alone should help the poor concentration.  For now, I would consider leaving the Abilify where it is to see if the other medication helps.

                                      Joyce A. Anthony