Unfocused students on Medication
How do you handle students that are unfocused and then blame behavioral medications for this problem?
Hello Kevan,
I have experienced a few students that have been unfocused and blamed behavioral medications. I normally encourage the student to have another visit with their doctor to determine if something can be done medication wise so that they can focus. I have seen some severe behavioral problems, such as bipolar, manic depressive,etc., and these students eventually drop out of school to seek additional treatment.
Patricia
I agree students with these problems should be advised to consult their doctor. It is important to show compassion, but at the same time it is important to help the student understand that being unfocused due to behavioral medications will likely affect their performance in the work place and may cause them to lose their jobs.
I have worked in psychiatric clinics for many years. Although I am alarmed at the ever-increasing number of medications that are prescribed, and the side-effects that result, there is little that we can do.
However, I think most physicians appreciate objective feedback from others on how their patient is functioning, be it from family, co-workers, or teachers. Prescribing the right medications and dosages for each individual is often guess work. Accurate and detailed observations from others can be invaluable.
I would suggest that you carefully observe a student's posture, walk, energy level, facial expressions, speech, attentiveness, etc., and write a detailed note to the physician (or "To Whom It May Concern"). This note is explained to the student, and then given to the student. It is then their choice to give the note to their physician, or not.
This can be a way of expressing concern for the student's ability to benefit from the class. It may prompt the student to take a leave from school until their medication can be changed or adjusted..thus saving them time and tuition. It may also give the physician some valuable diagnostic information for further assessment.
It may be a good idea to review this idea first with a supervisor, as they may want to think about confidentiality and other concerns.
Hi Holly,
You are right it is important to show compassion and empathy, but we are not experts in the medical area, and the student must consult their doctor. As you have said, being unfocused period as to whether is relates to behavioral problems or not, can cause a student to lose their job. I know of a young man that lost his job due to behavioral problems.
Patricia
Hi Randal,
Documenting an observation of a student's behavior is a very good idea. At my institution we have a Student Employee Assistant Program (SEAP) that the students can take advantage of free of charge, and the college pays for the visits. Based on the students' challenges, the student will meet with a professional in the area he or she is having challenges with to seek expert help. The SEAP has really helped our retention.
Patricia
We also have a program for students on prescribed medications or even for students that are on illegal drugs. We recently found illegal drugs in one of the student bathrooms. We are a drug-free school and do not tolerate overuse of drugs or drugs that are illegal.
We usually take the student into counsel and talk to them about their problem of staying awake or attention span in class. We try to find out why they are having problems. If a student tells us that they are just tired and did not get enough sleep the previous night, then we give them suggestions to help solve the problem.
I do not think it is wise to accuse the student right away of taking medications or illegal drugs. I always give the students a chance to explain. If they confide in me that it is due to a medication they are on, then I advise them to talk to their doctor and see if there is something they can take that will not interfere with their classes.
If it continues, then they are put on probation. If it continues to happen, then they are suspended from school until they can show us a clean drug test. Of course, all of this is gone over with the student and they are given the name of the association that we participate with to set up an appointment.
If they are truly interested in continuing their school, then they will call them. Otherwise, you will never see them again.
Darlene
Hi Darlene.
What a good program to have available to your students. In today's society every educational institution needs a program as yours. I have witnessed students being on medications/illegal drugs as challenging also. It seems as though, the student is in another world. I seem helpless because my institution doesn't have a program as yours. Eventually, the student drops out of school--so sad.
Patricia
I think Student Assistance Programs are great. Our school has some to some degree, but I would like for us to have an on-site counselor or to be able to pay for some psychological/psychiatric care. I have seen too many students leave our program due to these issues.
Hi Summer,
I have this program at my institution. It is wonderful. Your institution can start by contacting United Way. It will benefit your students tremendously.
Patricia
We are lucky at our school we have a great student services deptartment, that assists teachers and students in this area. When a student tells me that their behavoir is due to a medication, it sends up a red flag and I suggest meeting with student services. This can help the student in that the staff in student services are trained to assist in these problem areas.
Hi Marco,
Where did your student services person get their training to assist in this area? We need to get our person trained. This can be of great benefit to the student and to the institution.
Patricia
This would be a real problem for a career path in medicine, requiring documentation, counseling, monitoring, and additional documentation, counseling, monitoring . . . if these meds have the potential to effct the student's skills, judgements and actions in the workplace then they would be required to re-think their career path.
