N Rossi
Did you know that there isn't a single type of ADHD but 3! And of course, they are treated differently.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder develops in young children and if left untreated can not only interfere with the normal development of a child but also influence their future adult life in a negative way. It is scientifically proven that children and teens without properly managed ADHD are more likely to become drug addicts, alcoholics, and in general lead an asocial life when becoming adults.
Parents who notice that their child is excessively active, cannot stick to one activity for more than 2 minutes, seems aggressive from time to time, are advised to consult a child psychologist. It is advisable to seek the help of a specialist to find out the reason for such behavior. There could be two options – either a child has ADHD or needs another strategy of education. The behavior of kids who are worrying their parents with loud screams, whims, and disobedience, in general, may seem similar to ADHD but a specialist can clearly see the difference. The specialist can advise on a strategy to solve this problem – either changing the behavior of parents or using medicines for ADHD along with behavioral therapy directed by psychologist or psychiatrist.
If you assume that your child has ADHD, you should in no circumstance choose the drugs and give them to your child on your own. First of all, it could be not ADHD. Secondly, there are different medicines for the disorder that must be chosen by a specialist who can identify the right predominant symptom of the condition.
There is also another group of kids with ADHD who are predominantly passive, calm, and pensive.
The majority of medications for ADHD such as based on Aderrall and Ritalin are stimulants which are unsuitable for kids with predominant hyperactivity. They have an amazing effect in improving attentiveness and ability to learn. But if they are used, their effect commonly should be compensated with medicines providing calming effect.
There is also a medication that improves attentiveness but isn’t a stimulant. It is a FDA-approved Strattera or Atomoxetine (generic name). It is not the first medication used for ADHD that doesn’t stimulate nervous system. Other medicines are Wellbutrin, Desipramine. But these are antidepressants that have a large number of adverse effects which makes them undesirable medicines for children. Strattera is different, it has fewer contraindications for use and side effects.
Strattera has been tested in trials involving more than 5,000 children with ADHD. The efficacy of the medication for ADHD was proven in six placebo-controlled studies lasting up to two months. In each of the six studies, the ability of the medication to reduce manifestations of ADHD was statistically more significant than that of placebo.
A year-long study involving more than 400 kids with ADHD continued proven that the relapses of condition manifestations are observed in around 15% while with placebo it is around 30%. The study also showed that the patients who continued to use the medication for additional six months were 6 times less likely to start manifesting the behaviors typical for ADHD than those who switched to placebo.
