Should You Put Your Child on ADHD Medication?

Have you considered putting your child on ADHD medications, but aren’t sure if you it’s the best move for your family? The following are common questions and answers about ADHD medications and children.

What is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common affliction that can be treated with both environmental controls and prescription medications. It affects children socially and academically.

How does ADHD present? There are two main ADHD camps: inattentive ADHD (which is sometimes called ADD) and hyperactive ADHD, although many kids display characteristics from both of these categories. Inattentive ADHD kids lose things more than the average child, forget things, get distracted easily, and have a tough time remaining on task. Children with hyperactive ADHD have trouble sitting still, controlling impulses, and restraining their bodies and mouths. It's common for a child with inattentive ADHD to also have hyperactive ADHD, but it's very possible to only display characterists from one or the other.

Do you think your child displays enough of these symptoms to be concerned? There are many levels of ADHD, so you may want to visit your school guidance counselor, a physician, or a psychiatrist to get a second opinion. Unless your child has other health issues that will interact poorly with the ADHD drugs, you should be able to give the medications a try just to see if you like the results or not. In most cases, children respond positively to ADHD meds immediately, so you'll know right away (within the first day) if the meds are good for your child or not.

What is it about ADHD medications that produces the results they do? Most ADHD mediations are stimulants. Interestingly enough, ADHD children respond to these stimulants by actually becoming more mellow instead of more hyperactive, as you’d think they would. These drugs make your brain produce extra epinephrine and dopamine; they also improve blood flow to the brain. ADHD drugs also make your body hold onto that extra dopamine and epinephine a little longer by inhibiting the uptakers in your brain.

How will you know if the ADHD medications are working for your child? Your child will be calmer, able to focus, and able to make better decisions. While it may take a while to get the dosage and type of medication right, you should see improvements right away if the medicine is right for your child.

You can always stop the medication if it doesn't work, so why not give it a try? You’ll quickly know if ADHD medications are best for your child.