Child ADHD Treatment
Tags: adhd test for child, children adhd medication effects, adhd child tests, medications used for adhd
There are many controversies over medication for an ADHD child. These facts and figures vary from one region to another.
Many say that an ADHD child can be cured by only ADHD alternative therapy, which is true for many children. Because of the side effects associated with stimulant medication, a natural approach is highly recommended.
However, medications used for ADHD play an important role in treatment of many.Treatment for children with ADHD is sometimes not followed through with because of some myths regarding the ADHD child medication. These myths and facts are:
Myth:
ADHD Meds (stimulants) can lead to drug addiction later in life.
Fact:
Stimulants help many children focus and be more successful at school,
home, and play. Avoiding negative experiences now may actually help
prevent addictions and other emotional problems later.
Myth:
Responding well to a stimulant drug proves a person has ADHD.
Fact:
Stimulants allow many people to focus and pay better attention,
whether or not they have ADD ADHD. The improvement is just more
noticeable in people with ADD ADHD.
Myth:
ADD medications should be stopped when the child reaches adolescence.
Fact:
Not so! About 80 percent of those who needed medication as children
still need it as teenagers. Fifty percent need medication as adults.
Along with behavioral and psychotherapies there are certain medications given to ADHD children. These medications are generally from a group of drugs called stimulants. While stimulant ADHD drugs are often helpful, there are certain disadvantages of ADHD medication you should be aware of.
The most frequently prescribed drugs are Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine or Dextrostat), Pemoline (Cylert), and Strattera (a non-stimulant drug).
The advantageous effects of stimulant ADHD medication treatment can be dramatic.
Attention to class work can improve greatly in that the child is no longer being disruptive in the classroom. Activity level can decline to within normal limits and impulsivity can be substantially reduced.
Even associated difficulties such as disruptive behavior and peer relationship problems sometimes show dramatic improvement.
Dr. Gabor Maté offers the following explanation of how medication works for people with ADD/ADHD:
• Even though people with ADD/ADHD are often hyperactive, their brain waves are slower at times when they would be expected to be faster (such as when reading or attempting demanding tasks).
• Like a policeman directing traffic at a busy intersection, the brains prefrontal cortex sorts out and organizes sensations coming from the body and the environment, inhibiting those that are not useful in a given situation.
When the prefrontal cortex does its job, there is order
• In people with ADD/ADHD , the prefrontal cortex is like a policeman asleep on the job. Sensory information floods in without being filtered or prioritized. The result is an unfocused, scattered mind. Traffic is gridlocked.
• ADD/ADHD medications wake the policeman up, allowing the prefrontal cortex to do its job and direct traffic more efficiently.
Here is some information on two ADHD medications that you may want to discuss with your physician.
Before turning to medication, you may want to learn more about natural treatment for ADD.
The negative behavior that is so characteristic of ADHD children can often be helped with the use of natural herbal products designed to reduce anxiety and improve the ability to focus. You can visit the Native Remedies website to learn about herbal remedies for anxiety, hyperactivity, and concentration.