Should you medicate a child with ADHD?

Medicating a child should always be done on a trial basis; if it doesn’t seem to be working, or if your son experiences unpleasant side effects, then the drug or dosage should be changed or discontinued. One of the advantages of stimulant ADHD medications is that they take effect very quickly.

Is it bad to medicate ADHD?

Keep in mind, ADHD drugs are generally safe. The chance of serious problems is low. For lots of people, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.

What does ADHD medication help with?

Medication can help reduce symptoms of hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity in children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), formerly known as ADD. However, medications come with side effects and risks—and they’re not the only treatment option.

What will ADHD medication do?

ADHD medicines improve attention by helping normal brain chemicals work better. The medicines target two brain chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals affect a person’s attention and concentration.

What happens when you get diagnosed with ADHD?

People with ADHD experience an ongoing pattern of the following types of symptoms: Inattention–having difficulty paying attention. Hyperactivity–having too much energy or moving and talking too much. Impulsivity–acting without thinking or having difficulty with self-control.

What does a diagnosis of ADHD require?

To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must have 6 or more symptoms of inattentiveness, or 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Read more about the symptoms of ADHD. To be diagnosed with ADHD, your child must also have: been displaying symptoms continuously for at least 6 months.

What are the benefits of an ADHD diagnosis?

Adults who have received an ADHD diagnosis experience improved functioning, better health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and stronger self-esteem compared to adults who demonstrate symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) but have no diagnosis, according to a new study in the Journal of …

Is it important to get an ADHD diagnosis?

Many people find that having a diagnosis of ADHD helps them make sense of their life and past decisions. You will want to discuss treatment options with your doctor. Treatment can include lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy, and often includes more than one component.

When should you consider medication for your child with ADHD?

“When the symptoms of ADHD are permeating, in a negative way, every aspect of your child’s life, then I recommend considering medication,” says Lee Ann Grisolano, Ph.D., a pediatric neuropsychologist in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Do professionals overdiagnose ADHD and overmedicate children?

Some contended that professionals overdiagnose and overmedicate children with the condition. Others posited that medicines such as Ritalin are an ADHD child’s best chance for normalcy. Most advocated measured, combination treatments for the disorder.

How does ADHD affect a child’s mental health?

Children with ADHD tend to suffer in school and in social relationships, and unchecked symptoms can hinder their progress. “If they’re not doing well at school, it affects their self-esteem, which can make them anxious, so you often see depression and anxiety in children with ADHD,” says Judith Joseph,…

Does behavioural therapy work for ADHD in children?

Behavior therapy has been shown to work as well as medication for ADHD in young children. Young children have more side effects from ADHD medications than older children. The long-term effects of ADHD medications on young children have not been well-studied.