Risperdal is a "nerve" drug. I have seen children with these symptoms respond very well with it in addition to the ADHD medications. It is for the anxiety.

Hello my son is adhd , bipolar and diabetic.

He went on risperdal for about two weeks and he had some side effects and had to be taken off. His heart raced and his legs were weak , litterally crawling because they were aching. The doctor said it was only 3 % out of 100 that experience these symptoms. So it is rare. I also know two others that are taking it and do very well so I guess it really depends on the person. Good luck to you and your family.

things my son would say to me after taking risperdal (just things to watch out for.)

heart hearts.
feels like a lump in his throat like foam or something.
legs hurt like growing pains.
shortness of breath..

My 4 yr old is ADHD, impulse control disorder, and Autistic. He takes Risperdal for aggression and violence. The good thing is that Risperdal made him stop banging his head on everything and slowed down the aggression. The bad thing is that since Risperdal is just a tranquilizer and not a long acting drug that stays in your system, when he takes his nap in the afternoon, he literally sleeps it off so he is a little wild until his afternoon dose. He takes .5 mg in the morning and in the afternoon.
The other bad thing about it is that if I give him a whole pill in the morning before his behavior modification class, he is VERY weepy, he cries the whole time I am gone. We have gone to .25 mg before I drop him off and .25 mg when I pick him up 3 hours later. He is not so weepy but he is more hyper.
Just my $.02 worth.
Chellaine

Quote from Karon:

Is there anyone out there have a child on Risperdal???? It is suggested our grandson go on it for ADHD child with ODD.anxiety, tics and other problems.
I would appreciate any input on this. tx Karon

It is a major tranquilizer and antipsychotic. It is in the same family as Zyprexa, which has recently been found to cause diabetes. Another problem with neuroleptics is tardive dyskinesia....there is no way to know who is suseptable to this or at what dosage, and it can be irreversable. Do a search on it. Personally, I think it's a scary drug. You should research not only the positive press on it, but the negative. You won't get the negative from your doctor most likely.

Hopefully the child isn't already on any ADD or ADHD drugs, mainly the stimulants, because those can actually cause and/or exasberate any existing tics, ODD,anxiety, hostility, mood, or nerve problems.