Maternal experiences and feelings regarding the medicalization of the son with ADHD/H

Abstract

This article aims to identify and analyze the experiences and feelings of 148 mothers when whether choosing or not to medicate their children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. This work is justified by the necessity of putting mothers in evidence since their experiences, feelings, and opinions are important for the deepening of studies with a focus on the children's medicalization. The methodology involved the application of questionnaires in four Facebook groups composed of mothers of children with the disorder, and the data obtained were analyzed quantitative and qualitatively, emphasizing the mothers’ statements. The investigation indicated that there is no consensus among maternal figures regarding the benefits of medications in the treatment of children, also showing a strong overload of feelings such as insecurity, fear, and guilt when facing the attitudes they need to have when looking for their children's well-being.

Keywords: Maternal feelings. Maternal experiences. Medicalization of the child with ADHD/H.