My 13 year old was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD late last year. He’s generally unmotivated, doesn’t like school, is hard to get to do activities off a screen, etc. We started him on 18mg Concerta and then moved him up to 27mg (or whatever the next highest dose is) a few months later after not seeing much impact with 18mg. He has always been sort of too tuned into his body and has anxiety about every little twinge or pain, but says that he wants to decrease the dose or try a different med because he says he is experiencing heart palpitations. At his last check-in his blood pressure was borderline high and we are monitoring it. I’m completely open to changing meds for this reason obviously, as well as because we’re not seeing big change. If he is experiencing heart palpitations and higher blood pressure with Concerta is it likely to be the same on other stimulants? Are there non-stimulant options that are actually effective.
He’s never been a kid who likes school and struggles with feeling overwhelmed by even a low level of homework. He often cries about being “over-scheduled” even with one activity or fewer each week. He also is increasingly unwilling to do any activities where there is a “crowd,” even at activities he’s used to or if he’s there with a group of friends. I myself have huge social anxiety and understand it, and understand that medication is the most helpful intervention for this. Are there any meds that can help with both anxiety and ADHD?