Treatment of children with ADHD is something that increasing numbers of parents are having to think about nowadays. With an estimated prevalence of between three and five percent globally, as many as one in twenty parents will have to deal with it at some point in their lives. It is a developmental disorder in which children display a lack of focus coupled with excessive energy and an inability to sit still, among other symptoms such as forgetfulness, becoming bored easily, impatience and excessive forthrightness, often not observing social rules. As these symptoms can often lead to poor performance in school, treatment of the condition is extremely important. Usually, treatment of children with ADHD involves using a multi-pronged approach. Medication, lifestyle changes and therapy are often used together to achieve a greater result. The following are some of the different treatment strategies available today.
Medications used for the treatment of children with ADHD are primarily stimulant medications. While this may seem counterintuitive for a condition that manifests as hyperactivity, stimulants actually tend to increase a person's ability to focus on a particular task, and they have shown a lot of promise in treating ADHD. Ritalin (methylphenidate) is commonly used for this purpose, although more so in the United States than in other countries, such as the UK. Dextroamphetamine is a similar substance, and it is also one of the medications of choice for ADHD. Another drug that is often used in treatment of children with ADHD is atomoxetine. It is a selective noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor rather than a stimulant, and it affects the brain chemistry in such a way that symptoms are reduced; it should be noted, however, that it is less effective at controlling ADHD than stimulants. While parents may be eager for their child not to take stimulants regularly, all medications can have serious side effects; doctors will prescribe their child the most suitable one based on their personal circumstances.
There are also a number of psychotherapeutic options for managing ADHD. These range from counselling to behavioural modification using simple techniques in the home. Mental health professionals will often use behavioural therapy in treating ADHD, in which the ultimate goal is the child monitoring and adapting his or her own behaviour. This can be done through what is essentially an exaggerated version of a parent's own duties; rewarding the child for acting correctly, controlling their emotions and paying attention, and putting them in "time-out" when their behaviour is inappropriate or unjustified.
Often, it is necessary for psychotherapy to involve the whole family. Parents can be taught how to properly structure the child's life, and how to respond when their child becomes unruly or disruptive.
These are only a few of the many options available for treatment of children with ADHD. There are several medications that can be prescribed "off-label" (meaning, not for their original intended purpose), and a variety of nuanced psychological techniques that can help the child control their behaviour. Since every child is different, and ADHD is such a variable condition, the use of simple trial-and-error, along with doctor's advice, can often help the family lead as close to a normal life as possible.
Medications used for the treatment of children with ADHD are primarily stimulant medications. While this may seem counterintuitive for a condition that manifests as hyperactivity, stimulants actually tend to increase a person's ability to focus on a particular task, and they have shown a lot of promise in treating ADHD. Ritalin (methylphenidate) is commonly used for this purpose, although more so in the United States than in other countries, such as the UK. Dextroamphetamine is a similar substance, and it is also one of the medications of choice for ADHD. Another drug that is often used in treatment of children with ADHD is atomoxetine. It is a selective noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor rather than a stimulant, and it affects the brain chemistry in such a way that symptoms are reduced; it should be noted, however, that it is less effective at controlling ADHD than stimulants. While parents may be eager for their child not to take stimulants regularly, all medications can have serious side effects; doctors will prescribe their child the most suitable one based on their personal circumstances.
There are also a number of psychotherapeutic options for managing ADHD. These range from counselling to behavioural modification using simple techniques in the home. Mental health professionals will often use behavioural therapy in treating ADHD, in which the ultimate goal is the child monitoring and adapting his or her own behaviour. This can be done through what is essentially an exaggerated version of a parent's own duties; rewarding the child for acting correctly, controlling their emotions and paying attention, and putting them in "time-out" when their behaviour is inappropriate or unjustified.
Often, it is necessary for psychotherapy to involve the whole family. Parents can be taught how to properly structure the child's life, and how to respond when their child becomes unruly or disruptive.
These are only a few of the many options available for treatment of children with ADHD. There are several medications that can be prescribed "off-label" (meaning, not for their original intended purpose), and a variety of nuanced psychological techniques that can help the child control their behaviour. Since every child is different, and ADHD is such a variable condition, the use of simple trial-and-error, along with doctor's advice, can often help the family lead as close to a normal life as possible.
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