Does Straterra help with social anxiety?

Answer 1

There has never been any evidence to support the use of psych meds for the treatment of autism. In fact, some parents report worsening of symptoms.Visit ritalindeath.com and drugawareness.org.

I have two autistic spectrum children. My youngest (15) has been in the drug-of-the-month club since diagnosed 13 yrs. ago. He's taken such a variety of medications that I couldn't begin to list them all. When Resperdal was nolonger addressing his needs and I had increased complaints with attention, I inquired about Straterra. He continues to take zoloft and has added the Straterra about 1 yr. ago. While I have noticed improvement in symptoms, behaviors with other meds., this is the first one that he has actually said to me "this medicine helps me. I can listen better." For the first time, I nolonger have to nag him into taking his meds because he realizes the benefit for himself. He always maintained that the other meds. didn't help him.

I do have questions to ask the dr. at our next appointment. There have been recent reports regarding liver damage that we were not made aware of. When Ethan took depakote for seziures, he had regular liver panels to monitor liver function, so as long as that will be effective to monitor possible adverse effects, he will remain on the meds. I will continue to look for that magic "cure" that will give my kids a normal life, but it seems that the benefits of meds/therapies vary with the individual as much as the symptoms.

Yes, it can, but it also depend on the child's chemical make up as well.

My son's taking Risperdal .25mg, for the anger and aggression that comes with Asberger's Syndrome (on the Autism Spectrum Disoder)

His doctor just put him on a low does of Straterra, 18mg to help with the obcessive compulsiveness and hyperactivity. My son's doctor has had to increase the medication to 25mg, but that's all it is so far.

Don't forget that some children will respond immediately to the medication and may just as quickly stop responding one day. My son does that. Then you have others that will take about two weeks for it to work, the usual time it takes most of these kind of drugs to get into the system good, and then be ok for a long time. Again, it varies from child to child.

If you are going to go the medication route, by all means, work closely with your child's doctor. A lot of drugs can have side effects and you'll want to keep an eye on that as well. I know they usually ask for blood work either before the medication of a month or so afterwards just to keep check.

IT DOESN'T HELP AUTISM per se; it may help with the behavior of an adolecent who has autism; if they are "diagnosed" with ADD, ADHA, OCD; however he'd have to try it to know. Every child and young adult acts uniquely on any drug; every kid is very different, especially kids with autism. (I dislike saying "autistic kids") Work closely with the doctor and monitor the child's behavior, effect, non-effect, side effect, antagonistic effect, allergic reaction to the medication; just as you should do with any medication. I've known kids on various medications that show no apparent effect as well as kids that show the OPPOSITE of expected effect [ANTAGONISTIC EFFECT]. If it happens to work and have a good effect, it could quite possibly increase the child's quality of life. (AS WELL as the quality of life for parents or quardians of the child!!!!!!:))