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ADHD Treatments

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic mental condition that most often affects children, but can continue into adulthood. This condition is characterized by certain behaviors, including:

hyperactivity
impulsive behavior
inattentiveness.

Although not every child with ADHD will have all of these behavior issues, most will exhibit two of the three trademark symptoms of ADHD.

Treating ADHD

Medical professionals often disagree on the best way to treat ADHD. In most cases, treatment depends on specific symptoms of an individual case of ADHD. Additionally, because no cure for ADHD currently exists, treatments revolve around minimizing the symptoms to make daily life for those who suffer from ADHD easier to handle.

The most common treatments for ADHD are some combination of medication and therapy. Experimental treatments are also gaining popularity in the medical world. ADHD alternative treatments include:

biofeedback, a technique that teaches patients to voluntarily control their brain waves, blood pressure, muscle tension and other physiological processes.
brain wave biofeedback, a type of biofeedback focused on getting patients to control their own brain waves.

Although biofeedback is traditionally used to manage stress, many medical professionals believe it can also be used to change brain wave patterns in ADHD patients. The effects of this treatment on ADHD are still being studied and researched.

ADHD Medication

Medications for ADHD affect neurotransmitters in the brain and appear to balance out certain brain chemicals that affect behavior.

While psychostimulants are the most common type of medication for ADHD, atomoxetine (brand name Straterra) can also be used. ADHD psychostimulants include:

Amphetamine (Dexedrine)
Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall)
Methylphenidate (Ritalin).

Because different medications tend to work better or cause various side effects for different ADHD patients, some may have to try a few medications before finding one that is effective with the least side effects. As you or a loved one is experimenting with ADHD medications, keep in mind that some side effects subside within a month of starting the medication.

As a result, wait for your body to adjust to the medication before giving up on it entirely. Also, be sure to maintain close contact with your doctor, as he can monitor whether or not the side effects are subsiding and, therefore, if the medication is right for you.

Therapy for ADHD

Therapy for ADHD may focus solely on the individual or can include the patient’s family. Similarly, an ADHD patient may join a group therapy session in which he or she talks with other ADHD patients (under the mediation of a therapist) to learn how to cope and live with this condition.

The most common therapeutic ADHD treatments include:

Behavior Therapy: Designed for parents or teachers, this type of therapy teaches patients ways to deal with certain ADHD behavior patterns.
Family Therapy: This therapy includes an ADHD patient’s parents and/or siblings in the sessions.
Psychotherapy:Individualized treatment that allows ADHD patients to discuss worries, fears and problems one-on-one with a therapist. This type of treatment also teaches ADHD patients ways to deal with symptoms.
Social Skills Training: Individualized sessions of this therapy method teach ADHD patients social behaviors to help them better adapt to society.
Support Groups: This type of group therapy allows ADHD patients to converse with others who suffer from ADHD to discuss problems, strategies and more.

Dietary Changes and Supplements

Research and studies are inconclusive on the effectiveness of dietary changes and supplements in treating ADHD. Some medical professionals claim that eliminating foods with a great deal of additives, sugar or caffeine may help with ADHD symptoms. Others claim that certain supplements, such as fatty acids, gingko or other vitamins, may help with symptoms.

ADHD Self-Care Treatment Options

Parents and families of children with ADHD have found that changing certain behaviors at home can help prevent ADHD symptoms from worsening.

The following may help with ADHD symptoms:

being patient and keeping realistic behavior expectations
keeping a schedule for meals, bedtimes and naps
making sure the child gets enough sleep and avoids stress
showing the child a lot of affection and paying a lot of attention to the child
working to increase the child’s self-esteem and sense of discipline.

Resources

Mayo Clinic (2007). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Retrieved August 15, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275.

National Institute of Mental Health (2006). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Retrieved August 15, 2007, from the NIMH Web site: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm.