How do I handle a teenager who says he doesn need medication or extra help?
Start with respect. Inquire about the thinking and feelings that underlie that desire. Often the child has a good point. There may be some side effects to medication that are subtle, such as “flattening” of their mood and affect. They may have a sense of stigma with the diagnosis. They may honestly feel they can handle things without medication. They may simply want to assert some control over their lives. Perhaps a trial period without medication can be arranged with some objective goals set such as good school attendance, no lateness, grades maintained, no detentions, etc. At the end of the agreed time period, you both can review how it has gone. There may be a desire to self correct. I would urge parents to ask for and get an answer about how the child intends to correct the problem. The child needs to accept responsibility and work out a specific correction plan, not just “I’ll try harder”.
