Distracting the Distractions
Raising a child with ADD a
parents decision to medicate
Introduction

Finding out your child has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
can be an extremely confusing and frustrating time.
You have some big decisions to make – decisions that will
dramatically affect your life, your child’s life and your
family life, not to mention your child’s future. People you
talk to about it will give you their opinions; they will tell
you exactly what they would do, but the truth is that unless
they are actually in your situation, they are in no position to
say what they would do.
The answer seems so simple, doesn't it? Medicate your child
or don’t medicate your child. Unfortunately, as I'm sure you
are finding out, it’s not that simple. Ultimately, the only
person who can know what is best for your child is your
child. But there is nothing wrong with following either
course, as long as you make the decision for the right
reasons.
In this book I will tell you how I made my decisions, as a
mother of a child with ADD, who also happens to be living
with ADD herself. I know firsthand how ADD affects one's
life, how frustrating simple things can be, and also how much medication
changes everything.
I will talk about why I chose to use medication for my son, without all the medical
jargon that only leaves one confused and frustrated. Think
of this book as a chat between parents.
Let me make it clear that I am not a doctor nor a psychiatrist,
nor have I done extensive work with anyone on this
matter. I don’t consider myself an expert; I am simply telling
you my story, in the hopes it will shed a realistic, understand
able, and comforting light on the situation you are now
facing.
One can sometimes find great comfort knowing that one is
not alone, nor the only person going through a trying
experience. Hopefully, this book will inspire you with
strength and courage in the knowledge that others have
made it through this same difficult situation.