What about medication?
All medication is prescribed by a health professional after a careful diagnosis.
All medication has potential side effects.
Discuss the side effects with your doctor. We believe medication to improve a child’s behaviour should be used as a last resort.
HOWEVER, if your family is struggling to cope, you may need to use medication for awhile. Once your child is under control, continue to use the medication while changing the diet.
You will know if the diet is working when your child’s behaviour has improved prior to taking the medication in the
morning and in the evening when the medication has worn off.
Ask your health professional for help with behaviour modification. This will help your child break bad habits and form good ones. Once you are happy your child’s behaviour has improved, go back to your doctor and ask about having the medication reduced.
NEVER stop a prescribed medication without your doctor’s consent.
Tips for coping with ADHD teenagers:
Warning: If your teenager is depressed, you need to seek professional help.
Never use an elimination diet with someone who is depressed. A bad reaction to a food challenge can make the depression much worse. They may become suicidal. Once the depression has lifted, a diet could be tried but only under a doctor’s supervision. It is safer to eliminate one food at a time so no food challenge is necessary.
All medication is prescribed by a health professional after a careful diagnosis.
All medication has potential side effects.
Discuss the side effects with your doctor. We believe medication to improve a child’s behaviour should be used as a last resort.
HOWEVER, if your family is struggling to cope, you may need to use medication for awhile. Once your child is under control, continue to use the medication while changing the diet.
You will know if the diet is working when your child’s behaviour has improved prior to taking the medication in the
morning and in the evening when the medication has worn off.
Ask your health professional for help with behaviour modification. This will help your child break bad habits and form good ones. Once you are happy your child’s behaviour has improved, go back to your doctor and ask about having the medication reduced.
NEVER stop a prescribed medication without your doctor’s consent.
Tips for coping with ADHD teenagers:
- may require medication if they are not willing to try a diet approach
- once the medication is working and they are more co-operative, try a change in diet
- once the diet is working, ask your doctor about reducing the medication
Warning: If your teenager is depressed, you need to seek professional help.
Never use an elimination diet with someone who is depressed. A bad reaction to a food challenge can make the depression much worse. They may become suicidal. Once the depression has lifted, a diet could be tried but only under a doctor’s supervision. It is safer to eliminate one food at a time so no food challenge is necessary.