Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)
ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a chronic mental health condition that affects children and adults alike. However, it often starts in and is more pronounced in children because they have not yet learned ways of coping with the condition. The focal points of ADHD are that you will have difficulty focusing, keeping your train of thought, and be very hyperactive.
These traits make it very difficult for children with ADHD to focus on school and get good grades. As a result, many children with undiagnosed ADHD are labelled as not smart or having a learning disability. In reality, however, all they need is a proper diagnosis and to receive ADHD treatment. This will allow them to learn and function similarly to other children and help them function at a high level.
Currently, medications are the primary treatment for ADHD. The goal of medication treatment is to keep your symptoms under control so that you can learn and function in school. However, it is unwise to depend on medications as a permanent cure because long-term use can have unwanted side effects. Here are some of the most common ADHD medications.
Methylphenidate is currently the drug of choice for treating ADHD. It works by increasing brain activity, which seems like a bad thing for kids with ADHD. However, methylphenidate increases activity in specific parts of the brain, including the attention and behaviour centres, which improves attention span and helps kids exhibit normal behaviours. Adding to its usefulness is the fact that methylphenidate is safe for people of all ages.
Dexamphetamine and lisdexamfetamine are stimulants that are similar to methylphenidate. They work by stimulating the parts of the brain that control attention and impulses, which increases your attention span and ability to exhibit normal behaviour.
Atomoxetine is an SNRI that increases the amount of noradrenalin in the brain, which improves your attention span and impulse control. However, because atomoxetine can cause serious side effects, it is best to try other medications first.
Although it is not quite as effective as other medications, guanfacine is a good fallback option if other medications are not effective. Guanfacine affects the brain by inducing a sense of calmness and stillness which can help improve the attention span. It can also slightly reduce blood pressure, which can further improve calmness.
As we said before, ADHD medications have unwanted side effects that get worse with long-term use. These side effects will vary from drug to drug and person to person but will typically include some of the following.
While medications are good for getting you on the path to controlling ADHD, it is best to rely on psychotherapy for long-term treatment and control. Psychotherapy includes cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling, group therapy, and social skills training. Each of these therapies is geared toward helping children understand their ADHD, how it is affecting them, and how to control it.
As people undergo psychotherapy, the hope is that they have to rely less and less on medications. Eventually, as they learn to control their behaviour and impulses, they may be able to move away from medications altogether.
ADHD is one of the most misunderstood health conditions that can affect children. Because ADHD causes children to act on impulse and lose their train of thought, they tend to struggle in school and have poor grades. Therefore, it is important to seek a diagnosis and proper treatment if you suspect your child has ADHD. With the proper treatment, they can learn and progress normally and eventually overcome their ADHD.