Attention Deficit Hyperactive
Disorder
See Also:
ADHD: Introduction
& Types
ADHD: Causes
& Risk Factors
ADHD: Signs & Symptoms
ADHD: Medical Tests &
Diagnosis Methods
ADHD: Treatment
Options
Treatment Options
Presently, the treatment for ADHD involves therapy
and/or medication.
Therapy:
A psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or other
mental health care professional provides the therapy
involving counseling or behavior therapy. People
suffering from ADHD along with anxiety disorder or
depression can benefit from counseling. Some of the
counseling therapies are as follows:
| Psychotherapy:
Older children and adults suffering from
ADHD are allowed to talk and discuss the issues
that trouble them, explore negative behavioral
patterns and permitted to learn the ways to deal
with their symptoms. Behavior Therapy: In
this therapy, teachers and parents learn
strategies (contingency management procedures) to
deal with children’s behavior. The strategy
includes token reward system and timeouts. This
therapy has proved beneficial for those suffering
from ADHD.
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Family Therapy: This therapy
helps parents and siblings to deal with the stress of
living with those suffering from ADHD.
Social Skills Training: This helps
children to learn appropriate social behavior.
Support Groups: These groups offer a
net work of social support, information and education to
adults and children suffering from ADHD and their
parents, friends and relatives.
Parenting Skills Training: This helps
the parents to develop ways to understand and guide the
child in his day-to-day life. Best results are be
obtained with teachers, parents and therapists or
physicians working in teams.
Medications:
Psychostimulants are prescribed to treat ADHD. Some of
them are as follows:
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
- Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall)
- Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
- Atomoxetine (Strattera) – a non-stimulant
with similar effective action is also used.
The above medications are available in oral form and
are short-acting (lasting for 4 hours) and long-acting
(6-12 hours) forms. Methylphenidate (brand name –
Daytrana) a long acting drug is a patch worn on the hip
and is to be used in children of ages 6-12 years.
Psychostimulants appear to boost and balance
neurotransmitters.
Medication side effects:
Side effects of psychostimulants are decreased appetite,
corresponding weight loss, reduced growth rate,
nervousness, irritability or increased activity and
problems sleeping. Some children also develop jerky
muscle movements such as grimaces or twitches (tics).
Strattera medication leads to rare liver problems and
signs of suicidal thinking. Adederall is not recommended
to those suffering from cardiac abnormalities. Similar
side effects are observed in adults when treated with the
above medications (11).
Prevention Methods
There are no known methods to prevent ADHD. Avoiding
alcohol, drugs and smoking during pregnancy may help
prevent from the child from developing ADHD or similar
problems.(12)
See Also:
ADHD: Introduction
& Types
ADHD: Causes
& Risk Factors
ADHD: Signs & Symptoms
ADHD: Medical Tests &
Diagnosis Methods
ADHD: Treatment
Options
Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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Disorder - Overview (2007). Neurology Channel
- Dr. Helen Likierman and Valerie
Muter (2007). ADHD and ADD, netdoctor.co.uk
- Susan Louisa Montauk (2005)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,
eMedicineHealth
- What is
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
(2005). Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (2006). National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH)
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder – Causes and Risk Factors
(2007). Neurology Channel
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder - Causes (2007). Mayoclinic.com
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder. Chapter 3, Children and Mental
Health. U.S. Public Health Service
- American Psychiatric Association (1995). Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
Fourth Edition. ISBN 0890424071.
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder – Diagnosis (2007). Neurology
Channe
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder - Treatment (2007). Mayoclinic.com
- ADD ADHD Guide – Prevention
(2004). WebMD.
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