Attention Hyperactivity Disorder treatment mostly consists of counseling and medications. Because of the number of cases where ADHD patients have suffered intensely from side effects brought about by prescription medications, alternative treatments have been used in lieu of ADHD drugs. Most doctors, however, still prefer the inclusion of prescription drugs in their treatment plan.
Some of the most known medications used for the treatment of ADHD are Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Wellbutrin, Daytrana, Strattera, and Dexedrine. Except for Straterra, all the other medications are stimulants.
There is still no known explanation of how these drugs work to relieve the symptoms of ADHD. Yet, stimulants have been observed to improve and boost the levels of some chemicals in the brain, particularly the chemicals called neurotransmitters. Through these drugs, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention are suppressed in an ADHD patient. However, their effects could wear off rapidly. Moreover, some time may be needed before the right dose could be given to the patient because doses may vary from child to child.
There are two kinds of stimulant drugs used in the treatment of ADHD. These are long-term and short-term drugs. The short-term kinds usually last only for about four hours. The long-term drugs can last from 6 to 12 hours.
All ADHD medications bring about side effects to the patient taking them. Side effects can vary in every child but most common are:
• Insomnia or problems in sleeping
• Decreased appetite
• Abrupt weight loss
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Palpitations
• Increased heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Skin allergies
• Stomach aches
• Vomiting
• Hallucinations
In some cases, patients taking stimulant medications for ADHD treatment develop a dependency on the substance. Others also develop suicidal tendencies.
Other than stimulant medications, anti-depressants, clonidine, and guanfacine are also used in the treatment of ADHD. Anti-depressants are usually given when the patient does not respond to stimulant medication. Meanwhile, clonidine and guanficine are actually medications used for the treatment of high blood pressure. They are sometimes used as ADHD drugs, though, because they are also effective in suppressing the symptoms of the disorder. Often, they are prescribed to reduce the occurrence of insomnia and tics in patients.
With the breakthroughs of science, parents can now choose NOT to use medications for the treatment of ADHD in their children. Alternative treatments now abound. The good news is that these alternative treatments can be as effective as prescription drugs but do not have the side effects. Alternative treatments such as counseling, therapy, homeopathic remedies, and herbal remedies have been clinically proven to be safe. Apart from being effective and safe, these treatments are also more affordable than ADHD drugs. The only downside to these kinds of treatments is that the development in the child may not be seen immediately. It requires long term use before improvements can be seen. Nonetheless, unlike medications which results can only last for hours, the effects of natural alternative treatments can be enjoyed long term.
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