If you have a child that has recently been diagnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), it is important to know how to treat it. There are two main types of therapies used in treating ADD/ADHD. Many doctors believe that treatment should have more than one type of therapy, and include both medications and behavioral modification therapy. For school aged children using one or both therapies, approximately 90% improve considerably.
The medications used for ADD and ADHD include stimulants, nonstimulants, and even antidepressants. Stimulants include drugs such as Ritalin, which is one of the more popular drugs that has been used for years now. The downside of stimulant drugs is they can cause dependence. Nonstimulants tend to have a much lower rate of abuse and/or dependence. Antidepressants seem to have a beneficial effect on children who have had little success with the other medications, or experience troublesome side effects.
Drug Combinations and Side Effects
Occasionally, a doctor may prescribe drugs in a combination. This is generally done for children who have ADD/ADHD and another disorder such as depression or anxiety. The two drugs that are usually combined are typically a stimulant and an antidepressant. This is only used in certain cases and is not a typical scenario.
Side effects of drugs used to treat ADD and ADHD can be numerous. For stimulant drugs these can include: sleeplessness, decreased appetite which is followed by weight loss, headaches, feeling jittery, withdrawing from peers and friends, stomachaches, and even acne. For nonstimulant drugs symptoms can include: abdominal or stomach pain, headaches, feeling tired, feeling sleepy, and in some cases suicidal thoughts in older children. Side effects of antidepressants can be dry mouth, headaches, sleepiness, and heart rate changes.
If your child begins having any side effects, talk to your doctor immediately. In many cases, a doctor can change a dosage, suggest taking the medication at a different time of day, or even try an alternate medication. A parent should never try changing a dose or the time of day it is taken without first consulting the child’s doctor. It may take time to get your child’s medication exactly where it needs to be, but many people succeed after several tries. It is important to talk with your child’s doctor and be aware of any potential problems that may arise from taking any type of medication.
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