My son was diagnosed with ADHD last summer and after a rough year have just started treatment. Will be getting his prescription for his first medication tomorrow. However, this isn't something I'm happy about. In fact, I'm very apprehensive and worried. My husband isn't supportive of it, but I'm thinking that's because of money issues. My parents are 100% for it and don't understand my concerns. They seem to think I'm a bad parent for not wanting him on the medicine if it will help with his learning. He's also got Asperger's and some mental retardation, too, though, that I think all come into play with his learning. The doctor is focusing on the ADHD, though, and claiming this will help him do better, and this is what we want in regards to him living as normal a life as possible and thriving in society. I feel the same as you, though. I like my son the way he is. He makes up songs and runs around in the yard and just seems like an ornery boy to me. 5 years ago we tried a medicine for ADHD that settled him down so much he pretty much just sat on the couch and colored, hardly spoke. He wasn't my son, so to speak, and I was so uncomfortable with it I took him off after only 2 days. Here we are again about to do the same thing but with a different medicine, and I'm scared the same thing is going to happen. The doctor said to call him if he becomes that way again or if there are side effects I don't like so something can be worked out with the same medicine or a different one. I'm still afraid it will take the son I know and love away, though. I'm mainly just doing this to appease my parents, but I want to do what is right for him and just don't know which way to go. I don't want to lose the wonderful individual he is who makes me laugh and smile inside for something this medication could turn him into. That's not the natural him - "the real you" as you said. I'm really having a hard time with this. We're filling his prescription tomorrow and will begin Saturday morning, and I'm already starting to feel like tomorrow is the last day with my actual son and feeling so upset about it I've already cried once and am feeling really down about it. I'm having a really hard time with this.