Answered by Ken Ensroth, M. I understand your concern — there is no question that medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD, can be over-used. However, you might be surprised to learn that under-diagnosis and under-treatment of ADHD happens more often than over-treatment. In addition, for children who do have ADHD, the research is quite clear that stimulant medications such as Ritalin and Adderall are the most effective treatments we have. A comprehensive evaluation is the first step in making sure that your child is not put on medication unnecessarily.
A diagnosis of ADHD can't be confirmed in a minute exam. The evaluation also should include a complete physical, health history, family history and clinical interview with your son. If parents are particularly struggling with investing resources, remind them that one long month of appointments and trials can yield a solution that ends up working for years, or a lifetime.
Though we hear all of the above concerns frequently, parents also worry that choosing not to medicate means their child will do poorly in school, fail to regulate emotions and impulsivity, grow to resent them, or face judgement from others. Parents should understand that an ADHD diagnosis for a child does not always necessitate treatment with medication. To manage impulsivity? To aid emotional regulation? Do they have a complicating comorbid condition? There is no common threshold; those indicators depend on the child and parents.
Clinicians should assess and manage prevailing attitudes on medication. Do the parents trust the medical community and mental providers? Does the family view these providers as mere pill-pushers? Or as people who truly want to help the child? Exploring existing attitudes and expectations as early as possible can help clinicians deliver their treatment recommendations effectively.
Medication or not, clinicians should remind parents of the myriad available ADHD treatments and interventions , which includes behavioral therapy, executive function coaches, support at school and home, and maintaining healthy habits.
The stimulants should not be used to manage hyperactivity. They are used to improve attention. The hyperactivity control is a frequent benefit, but not the target. A reduction of the dose is the next step.
Monitoring attention and hyperactivity with a standardized instrument like a Vanderbilt from home and teacher and also other outside activity like sports, scouts, church is very important. You must be logged in to post a comment.
Or both? In this video, families share how they tackled this difficult decision. The decision to medicate or not is an agonizing one. And take heart: You are not alone. In this video, families share how they decided to treat their son or daughter.
Your child is diagnosed with ADHD, and immediately you are faced with an unspeakably tough choice:. With meds, he can actually learn and even excel! Within a week he was a calmer, more emotionally steady little boy.
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