ADD/ADHD Treatment

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• QIs medication the only treatment option for ADHD?

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  A Diana Meeks , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  While medication is effective for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), especially when combined with therapy, you can use therapy alone. One benefit of therapy is that your child is not bothered by side effects. Some of the most highly regarded treatments for ADHD, aside from drugs, include:

  • family therapy
  • individual therapy
  • behavior modification
  • social and educational groups

  These treatments offer you and your child a chance to learn new strategies to overcome the trials and tribulations of ADHD. While this may seem appealing, know that the combination of medication and behavioral treatment is often the most effective way to deal with childhood ADHD. Talk to your pediatrician, child psychiatrist, or therapist to learn more about treatments available for you.

• QWhat are the types of treatment for ADHD?

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  Medication and ADHD
  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, medications have proven themselves to be more effective than psychotherapy alone in treating the symptoms of ADHD. The key word there being "alone." Many children respond best to a combination of therapies. Medications must be given to provide adequate coverage when the child needs to focus and pay attention, such as during school hours. It should then taper down to allow the child to sleep properly.

   

  Alternative therapies for ADHD
  There are many therapies, both “standard” and “alternative” for ADHD. Standard therapies that have been shown to be effective include medications (mainly stimulants), behavioral therapy and parenting therapy. Alternative therapies that have been tried include art therapy, biofeedback, acupuncture and more. Unfortunately, none of these therapies have been shown to be effective.

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• QHow are children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treated?

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  A Dr. Diana K. Blythe, MD , Pediatrics, answered on behalf of Pediatric Associates

  There are multiple accepted ways to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. You can try a therapy approach, a medication approach or a combination of both. 

  For parents who are reluctant to start medication, trying a therapy approach can be very helpful. Therapy can truly help the behaviors while giving parents an active way to help their child. You must be consistent at home with the therapist’s instructions. If what you are hearing sounds difficult, ask if there is another option. Doing a second choice option consistently will work better than doing a first choice option inconsistently.

  If you do consider medication, there are many choices. The most effective of these are the stimulant medications. Other options are non-stimulants, some antidepressants and some blood pressure medications. Which medication your pediatrician and you choose for your child will likely depend on the ADHD symptoms that are most bothersome to your child's life. While the stimulant medications have been shown to be most effective, you may choose to try another medication depending on your child's symptoms.

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• QHow is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated?

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  A Dr. Diana K. Blythe, MD , Pediatrics, answered on behalf of Pediatric Associates

  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be treated in many different ways. Behavioral therapy helps while the person is doing it but the benefits decrease once out of the treatment. Combining behavioral therapy with stimulant medication seems to be the best treatment, but many people do not feel they have time for the therapy part or cannot find an experienced ADHD therapist they like. In addition to stimulant medications, non-stimulants and some antidepressants are used. Talk to your doctor about what symptoms of ADHD have the most negative effect on your life in order to decide what the right treatment for you is.

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• QWhat are the different treatment options for ADD?

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  Treatment for attention deficit disorder (ADD) varies for each person. Your healthcare provider may discuss lifestyle changes such as daily aerobic exercise and a diet high in healthy proteins. Psychotherapy can also be quite beneficial.
  
  Medications for ADD are usually classified into stimulants and non-stimulants. For most people, stimulants are usually the first type of medication prescribed. In some cases, non-stimulant medications, such as clonidine, atomoxetine and guanfacine, can be used. Discuss these options with your physician.
• QWhat are the differences between drugs or other therapies to treat ADHD?

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  A Dr. Javier A. Hiriart, MD , Internal Medicine, answered on behalf of Baptist Health South Florida

  Every child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) represents a unique situation, and treatment for the condition (including the use of drugs and other therapies) should be based on a variety of factors, including the age and the severity of the condition. ADHD is a biological disorder characterized by hyperactivity, impulsiveness and attention problems.
  
  In the U.S., about six million children have been diagnosed with ADHD. Historically, treatment for the disorder has been fiercely divided between two extremes -- no medication or overmedication -- with backlashes from either camp. The pendulum usually swings too far to either one side or the other. There has to be a middle ground, somewhere in between -- both rational and appropriate. Parents should discuss their child’s behavior, as well as any academic or social difficulties, with their pediatrician or family doctor.
• QHow does cognitive behavioral therapy help those with ADHD?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can teach people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) how to change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors. Therapists who use CBT work in a very structured setting and often prescribe homework assignments for people to complete outside of therapy sessions. During therapy sessions, patients identify problems that need to be solved, and a therapist helps the person learn and practice healthy ways to solve the problems. In CBT, people can address problems that occur at home, at school, at work, or in relationships.

  One form of CBT for ADHD is called collaborative problem solving (CPS). CPS is a method that parents and adults can use to encourage healthy behaviors in children. Adults are taught ways to predict situations that will cause problems for a child and proactive ways to prevent problem behaviors from occurring.

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• QCan psychotherapy treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

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  A NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered

  Parenting children with ADHD may be difficult and can present challenges that create stress within the family. Classes in behavior management skills for parents can help reduce stress for all family members. Training in behavior management skills for parents usually occurs in a group setting, which encourages parent-to-parent support. Behavior management skills may include the following:

  • use of "time out"
  • point systems
  • contingent attention (responding to child with positive attention when desired behaviors occur; withholding attention when undesired behaviors occurs)

  Teachers may also be taught behavior management skills to use in the classroom setting. Training for teachers usually includes use of daily behavior reports that communicate in-school behaviors to parents. Behavior management techniques tend to improve targeted behaviors (such as completing school work or keeping the child's hands to himself/herself), but are not usually helpful in reducing inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.

• QCan medication cure attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

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  A Dr. Jeremy F. Shapiro, MD , Pediatrics, answered

  It is best to think of this question in terms of treating the symptoms of ADHD and not actually curing ADHD.  In these terms, yes, medication can treat the symptoms of ADHD.

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• QWhat are the side effects of stimulant medications for ADHD?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  Stimulant medications for ADHD, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Adderall (amphetamine), can have important and serious side effects, even lethal ones. That’s why you want a thorough discussion with at least two docs before starting them. I don’t know any medication without side effects. That said, those from stimulants are usually minor, like reduced appetite or trouble sleeping, but some related to muscle spasms or personality changes can be in the big leagues. Discuss these prior to initiation of therapy, know what to look for, and tell your doctor if you or your child experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are severe, and do not delay.

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