Adhd Guide

Conventional Treatments for ADHD

When an adult or a child is diagnosed with ADHD, there are many treatments available to help keep the condition under control. When a doctor makes a diagnosis, he or she will most likely prescribe a daily dose of one of the ADHD drugs available. The doctor will prescribe either a short-acting or a long-acting dosage and then the dosage may be altered later on to ensure the desired effect is achieved.

There are two categories of drugs that are used to treat ADHD: stimulant drugs and non-stimulant drugs. The most common stimulant drugs include Ritalin, Concerta and the amphetamines Dexedrine and Adderall. The most common non-stimulant drug is Strattera. It is important to note that occasionally doctors will prescribe Tricyclic Antidepressants to treat ADHD when the patient is suffering from depression or when the stimulants are not working.

Stimulant drugs work by temporarily quickening the central nervous system. This is achieved as the drug corrects a biochemical condition in the brain that interferes with attention and impulse control. The drug usually needs to be administered more than once during the day as the effects wear off after three to eight hours. Results are usually seen almost immediately and the improvement can be dramatic, to the point that the person’s behaviour and concentration cannot be distinguished from those who do not have ADHD.

The non-stimulant drug Strattera will not produce the highs and lows that are possible with a stimulant drug. It is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, norepinephrine being a neurotransmitter responsible for the constriction of blood vessels.

The effects are not as erratic as stimulants and the drug need only be taken once or twice a day. In addition, the body’s adjustment to Strattera is more gradual than with a stimulant.

The danger with using conventional drugs to treat and manage ADHD, as is the case with any conventional medication, is that there are possible side effects to taking the drug. Mild side effects to both stimulant and non-stimulant drugs include the possibility of difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, stomachaches, headaches, reduced appetite, irritability, nervousness, and excessive staring.

More severe side effects include nervous tics, hallucinations, strange behaviour, and a severe skin rashes or hives. These side effects are not all-inclusive and it is important to read the inserts that come with the drug.

If you or our child has been diagnosed with ADHD, it is important to learn all the facts about the disorder and to discuss with your doctor the severity of the condition and all possible treatments. If the diagnosis indicates a mild to moderate case, then medication may not be necessary.

If the doctor feels that treatment would be beneficial, and you are uncomfortable with the idea of conventional drugs, talk with your doctor about alternative treatments. It may be wise to try these non-conventional methods before turning to stimulant or non-stimulant medications.

Ultimately, you need to make the decision based on the extent the ADHD is disrupting your or your child’s ability to function in everyday life versus taking medication.