Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that affects the brain and behavior. There is no known cure for ADHD, but several options can help you manage your symptoms.
In many cases, medication alone is an effective treatment for ADHD. However, the National Institute of Mental Health suggests that it is important to use other options as well.
Stimulant And Non-stimulant Drugs
Medication is often an important part of treating a child with ADHD. However, it can be a difficult decision to make as a parent.
To make the best choice, you and your child’s doctor should think together to decide if medication is a good option. In this case, ask the doctor if your child needs medicine during school hours, evenings or weekends.
You and the doctor should also determine what type of medication might be best for your child. The two main types of ADHD medications are stimulant and non-stimulant.
Central Nervous System Stimulants
CNS or central nervous system stimulants are the most commonly used ADHD medications. These drugs work by increasing the amount of chemicals in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine.
The effect of this medicine is to improve your child’s attention and help him concentrate better. Common CNS stimulants used to treat ADHD include:
- Amphetamine-based stimulants
- Amphetamine dextromethorphan
- Dextromethylphenidate
- Methylphenidate
Non-stimulant Drugs
When stimulant medications do not work or cause side effects that are difficult for your child to tolerate, your child’s doctor may consider prescribing non-stimulant medications.
Some non-stimulant drugs work by increasing norepinephrine levels in your child’s brain. Norepinephrine is thought to help with attention and memory. Non-stimulant treatments include:
- Atomoxetine
- Antidepressants such as nortriptyline
- Other non-stimulant medications can also help with ADHD.
How these drugs help ADHD isn’t entirely clear, but there’s evidence that they help certain chemicals work better in the part of the brain that’s involved with attention and memory. Other non-stimulant drugs include:
- Guanfacine
- Clonidine
Side Effects Of Stimulants And Non-stimulants
The common side effects of stimulant and non-stimulant drugs are about the same, although they are stronger in stimulants. These side effects can include the following:
- Headache
- Sleep problem
- Stomach discomfort
- Nervousness
- Bad temper
- Weight Loss
- Dry mouth
More serious side effects of these types of drugs are rarer. For stimulants, serious side effects in children can include:
- Hallucinations
- Increase blood pressure
- Allergic reaction
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
For non-stimulant medications, serious side effects in children can include:
- Convulsions
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
Therapeutic Measures In ADHD
Several treatment options can help children with ADHD. So, you need to talk to your doctor about whether one or more of these options is a good choice for your child.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help your child express his feelings in dealing with ADHD, which can make it difficult for your child to communicate with peers and responsible people. Psychotherapy can help children better manage these relationships.
In psychotherapy, the child may be able to discover their own patterns of behavior and learn how to make good choices in the future. And family therapy can be a great way to help deal with abusive behaviors.
Contact MD TruCare specialist
ADHD Treatment Center
Behavioral Therapy
The goal of behavior therapy is to teach the child how to examine their own behaviors and change them into appropriate behaviors. You and your child, and perhaps your child’s teacher, will work together to develop strategies for how your child will behave in response to certain situations.
These strategies often include some form of direct feedback to help the child learn appropriate behaviors.
Teaching Social Skills
If the child shows serious problems in dealing with social environments, social skills training can sometimes be useful. Like behavioral therapy, the purpose of social skills training is to teach new and more appropriate behaviors to the child.
This helps your child with ADHD to work and play better with others. A therapist may try to teach the child behaviors such as:
- Waiting until the turn
- Sharing playing items
- Ask for help
- How to deal with humiliation and harassment
Support Groups
Support groups are great for helping parents of children with ADHD connect with others who may have similar experiences and concerns. It usually meet regularly to build relationships and support networks – knowing that you are not alone in dealing with ADHD can take a huge burden off a parent’s shoulders.
Support groups can also be a good source of ideas and strategies for coping with your child’s ADHD, especially if your child has recently been diagnosed. Ask your doctor how to find support groups in your area.
Teaching Parenting Skills To Parents
Teaching parenting skills gives you tools and techniques to understand and manage your child’s behavior. Some of these techniques may include:
- Instant Reward
- Time-out
- Togetherness
- Strive for success
- Stress management
Behavioral Interventions For Home And School
One of the biggest concerns of parents of children with ADHD is their child’s success in school. Much of this success depends on their planning. Being organized is a skill that many children with ADHD struggle with. Simple steps like the following can be of great help.
Make A Plan
Set a routine every day. Try to make sure that waking up, sleeping, homework and even playing are done at fixed times. You need to place this plan in a visible location.
Organize Everyday Items
Make sure that clothes, backpacks, school supplies, and toys all have designated and marked spaces.
Make A Plan For Your Child's Homework And Assignments
Emphasize your child about the importance of writing homework and bringing home everything needed to complete the homework.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Children with ADHD are often criticized by those in charge. Then they expect these criticisms. If they only get negative feedback without ever hearing positive things about themselves, they think they are a bad person.
So, you need to use positive reinforcement to boost your child’s self-esteem and encourage appropriate behavior.
If your child follows these rules and behaves well, give him small rewards and praise him. This lets them know what you prefer to do, while letting them know they can be nice.
Talk To Your Doctor
Effective treatment for a child’s ADHD often involves several methods. These can include medication and one or more types of therapy, as well as behavioral measures you can take as a parent. So, getting the right treatment can help your child manage his ADHD symptoms and feel better about himself.
Talk to your child’s doctor to learn more about what treatment might be best for your child.
In Conclusion
To receive free consultation regarding the treatment and care of patients with ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and to book an appointment, you can contact our mental health care clinic in Dallas MD TruCare.
Remember that we are always by your side and responsive to you. To know more about us, visit our website and check our services. You can call us at 817-722-6078 or send us an email doctors@mdtrucare.com – surely, we will get back to you with useful information within 24 hours.
To receive free consultation regarding the treatment and care of patients with ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and to book an appointment, you can contact our mental health care clinic in Dallas MD TruCare.
Remember that we are always by your side and responsive to you. To know more about us, visit our website and check our services.
You can call us at 817-722-6078 or send us an email doctors@mdtrucare.com – surely, we will get back to you with useful information within 24 hours.
