My 10 yr old son has adhd pretty bad, i think he needs meds but def not a stimulant kind. which ones have the best results?

Don't prejudge: Well... The stimulants do. There isn't really a large number of meds to try, and each person reacts a bit differently. So he may need to try several.

Need evaluation : A good evaluation will be portant to identify exactly what specific symptoms require treatment.Anxiety order drives symptoms consistent with "adhd". So exact med choices depend on results . Alpha adrenergic (intuniv, clonidine) can be good some anti depressants or strattera (atomoxetine) might be good choices.

Other explanations: Stimulants generally work best in children with adhd. However there are several explanations for adhd symptoms depending on what they are. There are things that can be done to structure and organize the environment of an adhd child, also. See a psychologist for a full evaluation and diagnosis. Also see primary care doctor to rule out any physical sources of symptoms.

Stimulants better.: Strattera, intuniv, long acting clonidine, wellbutrin (bupropion) xl are alternative "2nd line treatments". "stimulants" in combinationwith behavior and educational modification " is the gold standard. You will need the help of a child psychiatrist in order to manage a "severe" case of "adhd".

Many choices: Stimulants are truly the 'gold standard'. If you prefer to not use stimulants, or your son has issues for which stimulants may not be a great choice, two non- stimulants, specifically the newer Alpha 2a agonists, Intuniv or Kapvay are available. Both medications have very positive results. Starttera, an anitdepressant, is also an alternative but has less positive studies. Check with your doctor.

ADHD not always true: Many things can interfere with focus, concentration and attention. Anxiety, depression, family problems, social stressors at school, can all be distracting. Non-medication approaches may, in the long run, be more effective.

Talk with MD: Each child/adult responds uniquely to various medications. I strongly recommend you get a genetic test (cheek swab) that will help direct treatment choice. Assurex company makes the genesight test that identifies which psychiatric med (including adhd meds) he will more likely tolerate and respond to, based on his unique genetics. Ask your md to contact assurex, if s/he does not have the test.

Assessment: Don't try to figure this one out alone. You need to find a doctor you can trust. Even the best treatment isn't guaranteed to work the first time. Stick with it and don't give up on him.Best to both of you.