| ADHD medications are treatment for a condition | | | | prescription is all you need to control the condition. |
| known as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. | | | | At best, ADHD medication can help the problem. |
| This is said to be a neurobehavioral developmental | | | | Naturally, not every medication is ideal and some |
| disorder that affects at least three percent of | | | | types will create more problems than they solve. |
| the entire world's population. You may have also | | | | It is important to research the ADHD medications |
| heard of this condition classified as ADD, as this | | | | you are considering and carefully take note of |
| was once the former name of the condition until | | | | any possible side effects, physical or emotional. |
| the late 1980s. It is a condition that appears in | | | | (For example, if your child becomes more |
| one's childhood and is recognizable by persistent | | | | sensitive and cries frequently, this would be |
| signs of impulsive behavior and short-attention | | | | strong evidence that the medicine is not proving |
| spans. The "H" part of ADD was inserted to refer | | | | helpful) |
| to hyperactivity, which may or may not be | | | | Medication Should Be Combined With Other |
| present in every case. Statistically speaking, | | | | Treatment |
| ADHD affects more boys than it does girl. | | | | Another point to keep in mind is that medication |
| Doctors also believe it to be a chronic disorder | | | | should be used in combination with other effective |
| with at least 10% and possibly as much as 60% | | | | treatments like life style changes, dieting changes, |
| of diagnosed individuals continuing on in their | | | | behavior modification and home or professional |
| symptomatic behavior to adulthood. The theory is | | | | counseling. You cannot simply get a prescription |
| that gradually adults will learn coping mechanisms | | | | and give medication to your child hoping that you |
| to deal with the condition. | | | | are going to fix the problem. That said, it should |
| However, how can children learn coping | | | | be noted that The American Academy of |
| mechanisms, especially if families cannot afford to | | | | Pediatrics has states that stimulant medications |
| bring them to therapy on a regular basis? ADHD | | | | are appropriate and generally safe treatments for |
| medications may be a necessary option. You may | | | | children who suffer from ADHD. |
| have heard of some controversy regarding the | | | | Pharmacological treatment will consist of |
| effect of ADHD medications on children and so | | | | prescribing stimulant medications. Statistics have |
| may be doing some research work. What's | | | | been promising, as 70% of children studied |
| important to remember is that various ADHD | | | | reportedly improved after being treated with |
| medications will have very different effects. You | | | | stimulant drugs. Most doctors agree that stimulant |
| may find that certain ADHD medications work | | | | drugs are the most effective and cost-efficient |
| well, while other types tend to cause side effects. | | | | method of treating this condition. These drugs |
| Another important point to keep in mind is that | | | | have been found to be safe and tolerated for a |
| ADHD medication is not always the answer to | | | | period of five years of habit. Beyond this time |
| treating this condition. Some children have | | | | frame, long-term safety has not been determined |
| benefited from herbal medications, while others | | | | by limited studies. The only warning that the |
| have benefited, if not from therapy, then from | | | | American Heart Association and the American |
| some form of home counseling delivered by | | | | Academy of Pediatrics gives parents is that |
| parents. | | | | children should be tested for heart conditions |
| Most doctors do not view ADHD medications as | | | | before proceeding with medication treatment. |
| "cures" and would never advise you that any | | | | |