Metadate is a long-acting form of methylphenidate (which is the same thing as Ritalin).

I can certainly understand that you aren't comfortable with it. My husband and I wrestled for years before we decided to "give it a go" with my son who is now 17. It definitely helped him, but then he started having heart symptoms (racing heart beat, feeling out of breath) and so we stopped it.

I think you have to ask yourself if it's worth the risk. Like it or not, all drugs have risks. How well does your son function? Is he in danger of failing his grade? Does he have any friends? Do you - as his mom - think that he needs it in order to function?

Trust your gut. You know him better than anyone else. If you feel like he *needs* it, then trust your instinct and go with it. If you, as his mom, don't feel like it's worth the risk, then trust yourself and tell the doc that you need more time to think about it. In this case, you are not obligated to do what the doc suggests.

Good luck, God Bless, and let us know what you decide!