| Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a | | | | really known about ADHD. There are at present no |
| big headache not only to the person suffering it but | | | | authoritative treatment guidelines for adolescents and |
| to their immediate family members. But fortunately | | | | adults. As a result the most common treatment for |
| there are treatment for ADHD which can alleviate | | | | ADHD for this category of individuals is to use |
| the symptoms. | | | | psychostimulants. |
| A common way to treat this disorder is to use | | | | There are also no reliable guidelines for preschool |
| psychostimulant plus cognitive-behavioral therapy. | | | | children with severe ADHD, those with the |
| A decade ago, researchers studied ADHD treatment | | | | inattentive subtype of ADHD, impaired working |
| by comparing (a) medication (b) behavior therapy (c) | | | | memory, shortcomings in language processing or |
| medication + behaviour therapy and (d) community | | | | those who also suffer from bipolar or anxiety |
| care. The result showed that medication, if monitored | | | | disorders. |
| carefully, was effective, but the researchers also | | | | Be careful when using psychostimulants on people |
| found that combining medication with behavioral | | | | who have ADHD and anxiety disorders. There have |
| therapy not only lowered the amount of medication | | | | been cases where their conditions worsen as a result |
| required but the patient's academic performance and | | | | of using medication alone. |
| family relations improved. | | | | The use of psychostimulants don't really sit well with |
| The researchers also found that the combined | | | | some parents. They just don't like the idea of their |
| approach was useful for those who have mood | | | | kids having to be on drugs for ages. Besides the |
| swings and oppositional-defiant disorder. | | | | strain on their pockets, the social and emotional |
| Another study two years later also showed similar | | | | effects of medication could snowball to become a |
| results. The researchers found that treatment for | | | | greater concern for the children when they grow up. |
| ADHD using the combined approach helped 80 | | | | Another thing to be conscious is that ADHD is a big |
| percent of adolescents to study better. | | | | market for pharmaceutical companies, so be careful. |
| So, it a nutshell, try the behavioral techniques first, if | | | | When you opt for medication, you must work very |
| deemed possible. This includes dietary changes. | | | | closely with your doctor so ensure that no overdose |
| If behavioral techniques fail, then use a combination | | | | occurs and possible side effects are minimized. |
| of psychostimulants (such as Ritalin) and behavior | | | | Possible side effects include insomnia, nervousness, |
| therapy. | | | | anxiety and loss of appetite. |
| But then again, this are easier said then done. This is | | | | At present, the best treatment for ADHD is to use a |
| especially so if the place you are living in do not have | | | | combination of medication and behavioral therapy. But |
| experts to treat ADHD, no access to behavioral | | | | do not leave behavioral therapy to the doctor and at |
| therapists, or financial constraints. | | | | home alone. Get the teachers to be involved as well |
| Sadly, even though medical advances have moved | | | | to ensure that the whole treatment process is |
| forward very quickly in recent years, not much is | | | | holistic. |