Will Your Child Benefit From ADHD Medication?

Mind is All

Have you thought about asking your doctor about ADHD medications for your child, but have held off because you feel unsure about it? Check out these questions and corresponding answers as you evaluate your situation.

What exactly is ADHD? ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which is a common condition that can be shaped with changes in environment and with use of medications. ADHD can affect how your child performs academically and in regards to social interactions.

How can you tell if your child has ADHD? ADHD usually presents in one of two ways (although sometimes with both)--inattentive or hyperactive ADHD. Inattentive ADHD kids lose things more than the average child, forget things, get distracted easily, and have a tough time remaining on task. Hyperactive ADHD kids cannot seem to control their bodies or mouths, meaning they have so much energy and so much to say that they end up acting and speaking inappropriately. Some children display both sets of characteristics.

Does your child have ADHD? 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. As long as your child is mostly healthy, you can probably try ADHD drugs on a trial basis just to find out if they help your child or not. Most kids who need ADHD meds show improvement the very first day they take the medication, so it’s easy to determine if your child will benefit or not.

What do ADHD medications do? Almost all ADHD medications are in the stimulant category. You'd thnk a stimulant would send an ADHD child through the roof, but instead, these particular drugs help ADHD kids slow down and pay attention. These drugs make your brain produce extra epinephrine and dopamine; they also improve blood flow to the brain. The drugs also prevent your uptakers from reabsorping dopamine and epinephrine as quickly, allowing your brain to use these neurotransmitters longer.

What should you expect to see from your child if the ADHD medications really are right for him or her? If ADHD medications are right for your child, you’ll see increased ability to focus and a mellowing effect. You may need to experiment with type of drug and dosage levels, but you should see improvement in thought and actions right away.

You can always stop the medication if it doesn't work, so why not give it a try? It won't take long to figure out if the medication is right for your child or not.