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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Change in Behavior result of adderall/paxil?
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
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Change in Behavior result of adderall/paxil?
by Myson'sMom, Jul 27, 2002 12:00AM
Hello,
My soon-to-be 11 year old son has been on Adderall since February (following Metadate and Concerta in previous time periods). He has a pretty good case of ADD, and the medications clearly benefit him in school.
This spring, he started having periods of out-of-control behavior. When upset, he will spiral downward and doesn't seem to be able to control himself. He can be quite remorseful afterward, but while it is happening it is scary to all of us. After a few episodes of this, his psychiatrist placed him on Paxil, in part due to other symptoms of anxiety (for example, fear of calling friends on the phone). He has been on Paxil for approximately 2 months. (25 mg).
Other behaviors include repetitive behaviors such as picking at his scalp or sores, and constantly fidgeting with his fingers. These have worsened over the past several months.
I discussed this with his doctor who JUST switched him back to Metadate (which we had discontinued due to the development of blink tics in Dec). He is continuing the paxil.
His out-of-control behavior has not dissipated on paxil, in fact in the past week we have had 2 experiences of him losing control and refusing to cooperate or listen or backdown. Further, he seems to have lost some impulse control in the form of saying inappropriate things in public or making loud noises in a public setting.
Could any of these behaviors be exacerbated by the medications he is on? He has always been an incredibly bright, funny child, but he now behaves very differently and I am very worried.
My soon-to-be 11 year old son has been on Adderall since February (following Metadate and Concerta in previous time periods). He has a pretty good case of ADD, and the medications clearly benefit him in school.
This spring, he started having periods of out-of-control behavior. When upset, he will spiral downward and doesn't seem to be able to control himself. He can be quite remorseful afterward, but while it is happening it is scary to all of us. After a few episodes of this, his psychiatrist placed him on Paxil, in part due to other symptoms of anxiety (for example, fear of calling friends on the phone). He has been on Paxil for approximately 2 months. (25 mg).
Other behaviors include repetitive behaviors such as picking at his scalp or sores, and constantly fidgeting with his fingers. These have worsened over the past several months.
I discussed this with his doctor who JUST switched him back to Metadate (which we had discontinued due to the development of blink tics in Dec). He is continuing the paxil.
His out-of-control behavior has not dissipated on paxil, in fact in the past week we have had 2 experiences of him losing control and refusing to cooperate or listen or backdown. Further, he seems to have lost some impulse control in the form of saying inappropriate things in public or making loud noises in a public setting.
Could any of these behaviors be exacerbated by the medications he is on? He has always been an incredibly bright, funny child, but he now behaves very differently and I am very worried.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Jul 28, 2002 12:00AM
, Jul 28, 2002 12:00AM
Yes, it's possible some of the behaviors are related to medication. It sounds like the prescribibg physician thought that some of the picking and fidgeting behaviors were prompted by the Adderall. It's also possible that they are not, and are reflective of either an anxiety disorder or represent motor tics unrelated to the medications. It's best to stick with the regimen for a bit and see if it helps. SSRI's, like Paxil, take some time to achieve their maximum benefit, and a change in dose might be called for before considering a switch to something else. Keep your eye on the possibility of Tourette Disorder. Some of the verbal behavior you describe may be reflective of a verbal tic (in addition to the motor tics you mentioned).
Member Comments (2)
by britney, Sep 10, 2002 12:00AM
Hi i,m 28 and i take paxil for depression when i,m on the pills i,m more relaxed and com and when i don,t take the i,m on edge and stressed and get out of controul and it can be scary there are other medication you can get for him because paxil probally not the right kind for him well good luck with your son.
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