Drug Therapy

Drugs used for ADHD:

• Psycho-stimulants are effective for children and adults with severe ADHD. They balance brain chemicals to allow for increase levels of attention and the improvement of school performance. (e.g. Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall, and Cylert).  Stimulant drugs have been proven to be highly effective in 75-90% of children. The most common side effects include nervousness, sleeplessness (although some people have reported improved sleep patterns after taking stimulants). Tics, jerky, and disordered movements occur in approximately 9% of children. Other side effects include irritability, withdrawal, depression, hallucinations, and lack of spontaneity.
• Antidepressants have proven to be effective in certain individuals, especially children who are also suffering from anxiety. These children usually do not respond well to stimulants. They improve attention while decreasing aggression, depression, or anxiety (e.g. Prozac or Paxil)

Click Here to find out more about treating ADD/ADHD through drug threapy.

Behavioral Therapy:

• Psychotherapy Cognitive
• Behavioral Therapy
• Social Skills Training
• Support Groups
• Parent and Educator Skills Training

The goal of Behavioral Therapy is to channel the behavior of highly energetic, inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive children and adults. One way for parents and siblings to help loved ones overcome or control ADHD is to make a priority list* of the most negative behaviors of the ADHD sufferer (i.e. fighting with other kids, refusing to rise in the morning, etc.).  The least negative behaviors on the list should be ignored, temporarily.

According to the NIH, treatment of ADHD is most successful when medications, therapies, and teaching are used together. The medication enables the sufferer to focus on the therapy and teaching.

* WebMD>ADHD>Ritalin