If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, then you better get a head start on your research on ADHD medications. There are so many in the market right now, so it would definitely be better if you do your part in gathering as much information as you can on these different medications.
It is one thing to do research on these medications. It is also another to choose which medication to administer for your child on your own. This is not something you should do at all. Yes, you may have done research, but this does not make you an expert in the vast, vast field of ADHD. The best move here is still to consult a psychiatrist so that the proper medication can be administered. Administering the wrong one can do more harm than good to your own child in the end.
One important thing to note about ADHD medications is the fact that there is no single drug that is recommended for all children. The medications are actually given out on a trial-and-error basis. These are all dependent on how the child would react to a particular medication. Nonetheless, when the right medication is determined, the symptoms of the disorder can then be managed easily already.
The first medications that are prescribed for ADHD cases are usually stimulants. These stimulants increase activity in the brain, particularly in the areas responsible for attention, impulse control, and focus. Stimulants do have positive effects when it comes to improving focus and self-control. However, when it comes to social skills and achievement in the academics, these are still dependent on the child himself. Stimulant medications actually contain one of both: methylphenidate and amphetamines.
The first choice of the two is methylphenidate because it has been found to have fewer side effects. Methylphenidate actually comes in short, medium, and long durations. If the child does not respond to methylphenidate, then he is prescribed amphetamines. For short durations that last 6 hours, Dextrostat and Dexedrine are prescribed. For medium and long durations, Adderall is prescribed.
If stimulants are not effective on the child, then Atomoxetine and Antidepressants are then prescribed. When two treatments involving stimulants have failed, then Atomoxetine is the next step in the process.
If there is one other thing you should know about ADHD medications, it’s the fact that they do not really cure the causes of the disorder. All they can do is alleviate the symptoms of ADHD. Also, when these medications are meshed with counseling or behavioral therapy, this can actually help a great deal.