I have found that coffee will help my ADHD if I take it in small quantities. It helps me to slow down and relax so that I may focus better. But, if I drink alot it will do the opposite and make me hyper. Use your judgement on how much that you give your child. It wouldn't hurt the child for you to try it. It might help.

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I was not diagnosed until age 42. I consumed mega quantities of caffine but then, after being diagnosed I took ritalin. There is a world of difference in the two. I still drink a great deal of caffine but depend on the meds to really sharpen my focus.

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Hi there:

Dr. Larry Silver, our resident ADHD treatment expert, does not recommend it: "Some studies suggest that consuming lots of caffeine can improve focus, but there's no evidence to suggest that caffeine affects hyperactivity or impulsivity. The amount of caffeine you'd need to consume to affect AD/HD would probably cause agitation (not to mention spending too much time in the bathroom). I don't recommend drinking caffeinated beverages (or taking caffeine-containing pills) as a way to treat AD/HD."

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I spent prediagnosic years consuming large amounts of caffinated drinks.....never did me much good...I also found now that I am on stimulant meds for ADD, my drive to consume has dramatically lessened.....but if your kid can't take them.....if nothing else, a good quality cup of joe is good for the soul!

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Caffeine is the most common stimulator in the world ; and is actiually used in many of the over counter medications. Now using it for ADHD I not sure you would get enough to really work in coffee, and the amount in sport drinks are high but they have a jolt affect and then a crash and burn. Also when when withdrawing from caffeine people will experience some of the worst headaches they have ever had in their lifetime. If the Straetta is working why do you want to give him this stimulant which is very short acting and if given too much can cause palpatations. If you need a stimulant I would review with the doctor some of the longer things like Ritalin LA which has a sustained release and does not have a really high incidinence of tics. Tics unfortunatelly can be one of the down side of ADD/ADHD I read a book about changing your brain and the 6 types of ADD see if you can figure the type of ADD/ADHD your son has because in certain types stimulants can make the symptoms worse and actually make them violent. In this case they would never give A stimulant and use the anti seizure meds such as Depakote and anti-pshycotic agents such as Risperdal even though they are not psychotic. Self medicating is something many of us adult Adders have done and it really didn't work for us. One cup of coffeee proably would not hurt him ; but I 'm not sure it would make a appreciable difference; and think of the amount of milk and sweetner to make it palable for him. .

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I appreciate the insight from the adult ADHDer's since my husband is still struggling to accept his diagnosis and isn't as much help as I'd like. It's not that he doesn't believe it, he's ambivilent towards it, probably because it's been a source of frustration for him. I think I'll make an attempt tomorrow, start slow, and see how it goes.

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Also: It's easy to get habituated to caffeine and need more and more as time goes on. I'm completely immune to it after years of swimming in Diet Coke; switched to sugar after a while and am hopeful meds will help as well (I'm a recent diagnos-ee at the tender age of 38).

Good luck!

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I would not recommend it as I have found with my clients that a change of diet where they are off the sugar products and junk food has helped balance their system. Caffeine might help temporarily but is not a long term solution.

All the best,

Joseph

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