concerta cause depression in kids?

Klooney · 02-02-2007, 08:23 PM

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My son is 10 years old and he has been on concerta for 21/2 years. His grades started slipping in the third grade and he could not stay focused. It would take him hours to do one page of homework so the doctor put him on concerta and it worked as far as grades go. We recently took him off of it for about three weeks. Not only did he gain ten pounds in three weeks but he started flunking EVERYTHING! I had a conference with all of his teachers and they made the comment that he acted depressed and sad alot, since the begining of school. I didnt know that depression was a side effect of this drug. He cant pass without it but he acts so sad on it. Is there anything that dosent cause depression? He isnt a very out going kid anyway, but I hate the fact that he cant make friends and is always depressed. Ive asked him about it and he says he is just sad because his grandfather passsed away a few years ago. He has been in counseling before and the counselor said that he was fine. Im so confused about what to do. Someone had mentioned aderol to me but I dont know anything about that med. Any suggestions?

Jennita · 02-03-2007, 03:55 PM

Stimulant meds and other meds that cause mild euphoria like AD's all can sometimes cause mood swings in some people. Sometimes the mood swings can be bad and the person can later down the line receive a new diagnosis of bi-polar which entails alot of new meds and problems. Many who have been on ADD meds or other stimulating meds like SSRi's seem to go on to the bi-polar diagnosis, which they never originally had but over time the drugs caused the change(as side effects vary and also can be culmative over time).

IMHO, there are some children and adults who shouldn't be taking such meds, even if they help the original problem, because of the dangerous adverse effects they may encounter. I mean, if some people cannot eat something as simple as a peanut without adverse reaction, it is entirely possible that some people cannot use psych drugs without adverse reactions too, yet this seems to escape most in the medical field. They would rather blame a latent or undiagnoised bi-polar than admit their drug may have actually caused the syndrome. Mood swings, heart problems, etc. are to be considered when dealing with drugs and anyone can either not have the side effect or have it.

Rebound or deregulation of receptors can also cause a worsening of ADD with withdrawal of the drug. This could improve over time if off the medication but unfortunately, the symptoms are too severe for some people to be able to wait it out.

beach4me · 02-03-2007, 11:05 PM

My daughter (11) had a very bad reaction to Concerta. She was on approx. six weeks. Each week became worse. No sleep, mood swings, crying that would not end, thought of suicide, picking at skin until blood and large sore,etc...

It started slowly and crept up until it was totally out of control. The Dr. said it was no way that Concerta was the reason. He had never heard of such reactions. We should consider counseling. Which we did....

But, I took her off Concerta immediately. Within four days, I had my child back. She loved me again and did not want to die. She stopped the constant screaming and she slept again. No more open sores and her smile returned.

Now we are back to the old meds and it is working much better.

index.html · 02-04-2007, 05:23 AM

Yes, stimulants can cause depression and mood swings.

Strattera had a very nice mood elevating effect for my son (he wasn't on stimulants, but was starting to get very down on himself because of his inability to fit in). They can be prescribed together. I was worried about the "double-whammy" on his appetite, but his appetite actually impoved when he was prescribed both.

KissAmeGal · 02-04-2007, 10:51 PM

my son was recently diagnosed with ADHD back in November, he is 12. Started on Strattera, was on it for about a month and did nothing for him, was/is also on Trazadone for insomnia. Was not helping him (Strattera) in school AT ALL! He started on Concerta a week ago Friday, we did have to go back to doc. this past week, she started him on 50mg of Zoloft a day, the Concerta is only 27mg. His attitude and temper seems to be much better. we may have to up the Concerta to the next dose, as it's still not really working for him at school. she did mention, if this doesn't work for him, she was going to call his ins. company and tell them that he needs Ambilify. We'll see what happens, we go back to her next wednesday.......hopefully we don't have to go back before then.
He's already been held back, he's still in the 6th grade, was held back in the 5th. he should be in the 8th grade next year........i would hate to see him in the 6th AGAIN! ::::::::::sigh::::::::::
Aaahhh yes.......also on Depakote for BP

take care (((((((((hugs)))))))