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What Causes Rapid Eye Movements While Treating ADD?
Question: Re: grandson who is now labeled ADD and on med. with mother referring him. No teacher evaluations were included. Grandparents never observed ADD behaviors. This boy works above grade level, plays chess, plays team sports, has many friends, and is kind to his younger brother.
Concern: 8 year old grandson had rapid eye movements with head adjustment. Observed only once. Father said his ADD was noticed at home(not school).. Unusual. Description of the behavior "he talks under his breath". Observation: when child was in restaurant his mother told him to order X. He said "I would like to have Y. She told him that he was being 'fresh'! He quietly said "No, I am not."
Summation: My son will have to take charge. We cannot. Our grandson will be with us skiing for 8 days in Dec.
Concern: 8 year old grandson had rapid eye movements with head adjustment. Observed only once. Father said his ADD was noticed at home(not school).. Unusual. Description of the behavior "he talks under his breath". Observation: when child was in restaurant his mother told him to order X. He said "I would like to have Y. She told him that he was being 'fresh'! He quietly said "No, I am not."
Summation: My son will have to take charge. We cannot. Our grandson will be with us skiing for 8 days in Dec.
Brief Answer:
Ask daughter-in-law about diagnosis; suggest pediatric psychiatrist to son
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to hear about this trouble.
I think your concern regarding his diagnosis is appropriate given that you have not witnessed any symptoms of ADD - symptoms that are medically recognized as ADD. I know from our past discussion you mentioned your daughter in law sometimes attributes things to and makes diagnoses where the diagnoses are not warranted. I would ask her, beyond the explanation that the boy talks under his breath (which is not diagnostic for ADD), what the diagnosis is being based on. This may be difficult to phrase so that she does not feel accused. If you get no further legitimate explanation, then you do need to talk with your son. Perhaps you can approach your son by saying that you have heard that children are put on ADD medications more often than appropriate and given the potential for concerning side effects (such as slowed growth), it would be best if he took the boy to a pediatric psychiatrist for expert opinion.
Regarding your daughter in law's negative reaction to the boy when he asserts his opinion (at the restaurant), I am wondering if she is feeling that as he is getting older and more independently opinionated that he is growing out of her control; and perhaps thinking ADD medication is a way to regain that control over him? This is just conjecture. But I am thinking if she has been ill for a long time, she may feel that life is not under much control for her in general now, and is generalizing that to the control over her son.
For diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, a child needs to have shown six or more specific symptoms on a regular basis for more than 6 months in 2 or more settings, and their behavior must be different from what is typical for other children of the same age.
Regarding the rapid eye movement - possibly nystagmus - did this occur after the boy was already on ADD medication? Usually one episode of nystagmus is not anything to worry about. However if it continues to occur I would recommend he see an ophthalmologist. If it is accompanied by the head movement you described, or other atypical movements then a neurologist would be more appropriate.
I am sorry for this difficult situation. Approach your daughter in law carefully; and separately, your son too.
Ask daughter-in-law about diagnosis; suggest pediatric psychiatrist to son
Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to hear about this trouble.
I think your concern regarding his diagnosis is appropriate given that you have not witnessed any symptoms of ADD - symptoms that are medically recognized as ADD. I know from our past discussion you mentioned your daughter in law sometimes attributes things to and makes diagnoses where the diagnoses are not warranted. I would ask her, beyond the explanation that the boy talks under his breath (which is not diagnostic for ADD), what the diagnosis is being based on. This may be difficult to phrase so that she does not feel accused. If you get no further legitimate explanation, then you do need to talk with your son. Perhaps you can approach your son by saying that you have heard that children are put on ADD medications more often than appropriate and given the potential for concerning side effects (such as slowed growth), it would be best if he took the boy to a pediatric psychiatrist for expert opinion.
Regarding your daughter in law's negative reaction to the boy when he asserts his opinion (at the restaurant), I am wondering if she is feeling that as he is getting older and more independently opinionated that he is growing out of her control; and perhaps thinking ADD medication is a way to regain that control over him? This is just conjecture. But I am thinking if she has been ill for a long time, she may feel that life is not under much control for her in general now, and is generalizing that to the control over her son.
For diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, a child needs to have shown six or more specific symptoms on a regular basis for more than 6 months in 2 or more settings, and their behavior must be different from what is typical for other children of the same age.
Regarding the rapid eye movement - possibly nystagmus - did this occur after the boy was already on ADD medication? Usually one episode of nystagmus is not anything to worry about. However if it continues to occur I would recommend he see an ophthalmologist. If it is accompanied by the head movement you described, or other atypical movements then a neurologist would be more appropriate.
I am sorry for this difficult situation. Approach your daughter in law carefully; and separately, your son too.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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