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The decision to give our 4 year old meds


When we got Nathan's diagnosis in July of 2018, it was a lot to process. We knew he had something going on with him and had our suspicions for a long time, but it still cut deep to hear the official diagnosis.

Dom and I said we will do everything we can to help, but with a cliche thought and lack of understanding, we were both adamant about not "drugging our child."

Fast forward to 2020 we had to do something. When you watch your poor 4 year old deal with so much anxiety about day-to-day living, it breaks your heart.

Nathan's anxiety comes in the forms of not sleeping - waking up at 2:00 am and not going back to sleep. 

His anxiety is shown through melt downs that cannot be consoled.

His anxiety comes in the form of having something in his head, that he can't communicate, and being stuck on it for hours and sometimes days. 

Anxiety for Nathan is moving every picture that is not attached to a wall to different rooms in the house, literally all day long.


Nathan's anxiety is not being able to focus at all.

With that being said after lots of research, reaching out to my autism groups, and talking to his amazing doctor, we decided to start meds.

Best decision we ever made! 

In March 2020 Nathan started his first med. It made him tired, it made him calm, it made his focus so much better. 

Meds are a never ending battle. You have to try until they work. But we have found 2 that work for him right now. We don't know how long he will need them, if we will need to change them, but for now these meds have made Nathan's life better, his brain more calm, and for that we are thankful for the decision.

I know meds are a touchy subject for some, but until you see the anxiety and hurt forming in your sweet child, you won't know the desire for a fix. I know I had a bad stigma about them at first.




Comments

  1. Susan GDecember 13, 2020 at 5:03 PM

    Heather, this is wonderful. I know how helpful it is to write your feelings and share with others which helps in the healing process. You are helping others by doing this as well. So proud of you and your family.
    Don't worry about what some might think of meds. You need to do what you feel is best for Nathan and you took your time to make that decision. Remember, some people think they are wonderful, others have different experiences but no two people have the same DNA. No two people react the same or have the exact same solution.
    Bless you and your family. You and Dom are wonderful parents.

    ReplyDelete

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