ADHD Treatments
Efficient treatment of ADHD is quite controversial. Current methods usually employ therapy combined with drugs, or separately. However, recent studies show that these two methods give the best result if combined.
ADHD Therapy
Adults and children with ADHD greatly benefit from special counseling and behavior therapy; it can be conducted by a professional psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker with relevant qualification and experience. Anxiety and depression are among the most common conditions that occur along with ADHD; in that case, professional counseling can help with both problems.
The most commonly used kinds of counseling/therapy are:
• Behavior therapy. This therapy is intended for parents and teachers who need to deal with ADHD students. Some of the strategies this therapy involves are systems of token rewards and time-outs. Although these techniques can be used for any groups, they proved to be particularly efficient for children with ADHD.
• Psychotherapy. It’s the best way many kids and adult ADDers can share their problems and worries; they feel more free to express their views, discuss particular cases and manage their condition independently.
• Social skills therapy. This is aimed at teaching ADHD students or adults how to behave in the society.
• Family therapy. If a child suffers from ADHD parents and siblings also need to learn how to live with it, and this is the very objective of family therapy.
• Parenting skills training. The way parents can learn more about the reasons their child behaves certain way and how to handle it.
• Support groups training. These groups are intended for both children and adult ADDers willing to receive support, educational materials and updated information on the condition and everything connected with it.
However, that’s not enough to fight the disease. The key ingredient that will help your child is team work – in other words, you need to get as many people involved as possible. If parents cooperate with their child’s teachers and doctors, the result is more stable. Parents can also help by providing valuable data and referring educators to the sources of information that can help them choose the right behavior pattern.
ADHD Drugs
Psychostimulants - medications ADHD patients are most commonly prescribed (adults as well as children). The most popular ADHD treatments are:
• Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)
• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
There is yet another drug that has similar effects, not being a psychostimulant; it’s called atomoxetine (Strattera). In certain cases, doctors prescribe antidepressants. This may happen if the patient has no reaction to other stimulants, or if the condition involves severe depression that requires attention.
All these ADHD treatments come in two forms: short-acting and long-acting. The former will last for 3-4 hours, the latter has a longer period of effect – commonly 6 to 12 hours. Methylphenidate is the only medication from this group that comes in a form different from pills. Methylphenidate patch can be worn on the hip, and the period of its effect is 9 hours. The patch received its recognition as a good solution for kids from 6 to 12 years, and can be purchased under the name Daytrana.
Even though the effects of these medications are not completely understood, they do increase levels of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, and help balance them.
The ADHD drugs listed treat the main symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention. However, the effects of these ADHD meds tend to last for comparatively little periods. Another issue is the correct dosage – as every individual has particular body response, time is required to establish the dosage that is right for your kid or yourself.
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