LE HAWKESBURY SOCIAL, LOOKING WITHIN, HOSTED BY ADAM STACEY, FOUNDER AND PODCAST HOST Episode #5 - Season #2 - Part #2 - Welcome Child Psychologist, Dr. Sheila Patel, Back As We Discuss the Controversial Talks About ADHD Medication in Children 10-18 Years Old
Feb 11, 2026
Dr. Sheila Patel, a child psychologist and medical doctor, returns to discuss ADHD in children and teens. They debate rushing medication versus thorough testing. Conversations cover brain wiring, medication effects on growing kids, distinguishing anxiety from ADHD, screen time and social media harms, and parenting routines that support mental health.
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Assess Fully Before Starting ADHD Medication
- Do complete a thorough assessment before medicating a child for ADHD, including history, school, family and social functioning.
- Consider family stressors, sleep, anxiety and substance use before prescribing stimulants.
Anxiety Can Look Like ADHD
- Anxiety and sleep problems often mimic ADHD and cause acting-out behaviours in children.
- Mislabeling these problems as ADHD can lead to unnecessary stimulant treatment.
Personal Effects Of Stimulants And Stopping Them
- Adam described how Adderall helped him 'put the boxes in place' and increased productivity when split doses were used.
- He contrasted this with his daughter's experience of stopping meds, gaining appetite and thriving academically and socially.
