Wonderful Imagination

A parent came to enquire regarding a medication used to control Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Apparently he has not been giving his child the medication as he is worried that the child is going to rely on the medication for long term to perform well in school. He started going on and on about how it is not worth it for the child to take the medication just to perform well in school. I really wanted to tell him that the medication only helps the child to focus better during lessons, but whether the child eventually performs well in school depends a lot on his intelligence and hardwork. In addition, he will be a burden in class as we're not talking about simply not being able to focus, but the fact that he may be disturbing the class with antics and affecting the study environment.

Then the father started asking about the side effects of the medication, which frankly speaking I was reluctant to let him know as he definitely belongs to the type who believes that a good drug has no side effects. When I told him it may cause dizziness, he started asking if the child will fall down and what do I mean by severe dizziness. I mean, come on if your child is dizzy to the extend that he actually falls down and that is not considered as severe dizziness I really don't know what is considered severe dizziness. Maybe when the child is in a perpetual "drunkened" state?