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Warning-sign checks

Pediatric ADHD: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help immediately if the child:

    • Is at immediate risk of harming themselves or another person
    • Has taken an unknown or excessive amount of medication
    • Has severe breathing difficulty, collapses, or cannot be awakened
    • Expresses suicidal intent with an immediate plan or access to means

    Suspected medication poisoning requires immediate advice from emergency services or a local poison centre.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the prescribing professional sooner if side effects are troubling, symptoms suddenly worsen, or a medicine does not seem to be helping.

    Seek urgent medical help if a child develops severe agitation, hallucinations, fainting, chest pain, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat, particularly while taking medication.

    Do not wait for symptoms to appear.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if attention, activity, or impulsive behaviour is persistent and is affecting school, friendships, family life, sleep, or safety.

    It is also reasonable to seek help if a teacher raises repeated concerns or a child is becoming distressed about their performance.

    Children already receiving treatment need routine follow-up to review symptoms, school and home functioning, growth, sleep, appetite, blood pressure, and possible side effects.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Pediatric ADHD. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.