don't hesitate to listen to that doctor! both me and my older sister have adhd. they were like you in being hesitant about medication, so with my sister (this was before i was born) they tried all the herbal and alternative bullshit, like the feingold diet, and not one of them had any effect other than wasting time. they finally put her on meds, reluctantly. But it was very worth it, and she showed great change (from what i'm told). and they put me on meds when i was diagnosed without hesitation. Both my sister and i are so thankful they put us on them, they make us able to function at "normal levels." also you must look at it this way, it's not like you're giving your son heroin. if he had asthma, would you deny him an inhaler? it's the same thing, adhd should be and is considered a disease, there's no cure, but there are treatments. There is always a small possibility that he'll lose it in adulthood. But for now, if he can't get proper treatment, he'll never learn how to deal with it, and he could be left behind socially and academically. Before i was diagnosed i had social problems that were very depressing. I couldn't concentrate during conversations and would interrupt conversations and even the teacher often, which would lead to many a recess spent inside. and i was by no means a bad kid. it's just a mental deficciency, not a personality trait. i can't tell you how to raise your son, but i can tell you that i think the medication will be something he'll thank you for and will make him happier. also, you must also realize the meds are almost completely harmless...almost because people can have some negative side effects, nothing permanent though. if they show up, just tell the doctor and he'll change the meds accordingly. it took me a few tries to find the right meds and the right dosage. the stimulant is such a small amount, it can't have the negative effects like from other stimulants, like cocaine or the like. they've done studies that show that children on the medication's brains will actually morph them over time so that they function in a more normal fashion. not to toot my own horn but i'm 19th, in my class of 448, have many academic achievements, what i consider to be socially adequate, and am involved in many extracurricular activitities, and i'm not saying i'd be any dumber without these meds, i'm just as smart without them, the point is, without them, i'd interrupt and not listen to my friends, likely annoying them, i wouldn't be able to get myself to concentrate enough to do homework or listen in school, and i wouldn't be as motivated to do all that i do.Sorry if i seem a bit zealous, but it's just something i feel strongly about. when he's young is when he'll best learn how to deal with adhd, but only with good help! which may or may not come in the form of a pill and possibly some couseling which will teach him techniques on how to work with it. There's a pbs special on medical disorders that you may want to check out, and it will show you how a child without help early can just slip through the cracks of school and society.Well, i think i've said all i have to say. Sorry if it seems a bit slurred or mumbled, i'm writing all this half-asleep. Best of luck. I hope it all works out.
