Treatment and Prevention
It's important to treat the condition. Parents with children who have ADHD should not feel they've done something wrong if their child has trouble at school. People with ADHD are as intelligent and capable as anyone else and can lead happy, successful lives with the right help.
Treatment for ADHD usually consists of medication combined with educational, family, and other social changes.
There are a number of medications for ADHD. Note that all medications can have side effects. It is best to discuss the benefits and risks of medication with your health care provider. Methylphenidate* or dextroamphetamine help to filter out unnecessary distractions in people who have ADHD. These medications stimulate the areas of the brain that do not have sufficient production of neurotransmitters to produce the needed chemicals. Another medication used to treat ADHD is called atomoxetine. It helps increase the levels of a neurotransmitter, called norepinephrine, in the brain allowing children to concentrate for longer periods of time and filter out distractions in their surroundings.
Some parents are wary of these medications, fearing that their child will become addicted or unable to succeed without chemical help. In fact, there's no evidence of addictiveness. Taking medication as prescribed, whether short- or long-term, may help children maintain a high level of social function that may not be possible without the medication. Some children, especially those with coexisting problems or disorders (see the list in "Symptoms and Complications" above) may require other types of medication. Some children may manage without medication.
Medications should be accompanied by supportive counseling, and possibly sessions with a specialist such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Parent training in effective child behavior management methods, classroom behavior modification methods, and academic interventions such as special educational placement, have all shown promising results. Some modern behavior modification and cognitive behavioral therapy produces successful results in children with ADHD without the use of medication. Changes in diet have not been shown to help in the treatment of individuals with ADHD.
Overall, once a treatment is in place, children with ADHD need to learn to use their newfound concentration to the best advantage.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
Paul Ballas, DO, Attending Psychiatrist, Friends Hospital, Philadelphia PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.