1. Stimulant Medications Are Usually the First Choice
Because studies show that your child has an 80 percent chance of responding to one of the many stimulant medications available for ADHD, your pediatrician or doctor is likely to suggest this as the first treatment option. Your child may need to try several different medications to find the one he or she responds to best. The various stimulant-based treatment options are formulated to last a prescribed duration, which ranges from 2 to 12 hours. Some medicines are administered only once daily, while you'll have to monitor as many as 3 daily dosages of others.
Sometimes treatment is continued into the teen years. You should be aware that some teens choose to stop taking their medication, and that other teens make the necessary life adjustments to allow their prescriptions to be discontinued. Either way, you should continue to monitor your teen's symptoms closely.
2. Side Effects and Concerns
You should also make sure you understand the side effects and possible long-term health risks associated with the use of stimulants to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. While every child's reaction to the medication will be unique, you should watch out for some common side effects. These may include symptoms such as social withdrawal, rapid heartbeat, nausea, loss of appetite and insomnia. You should ask your doctor about any side effects specific to the medicine your child is prescribed.
As a parent, there are strategies available to you which will help you manage your child's side effects. The common side effects can often be treated by changing to a shorter-acting or longer-acting version of the stimulant.
Some studies indicate further research is needed into the long-term health effects of the drugs used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in order to understand fully the risks involved. There are concerns that childhood use of stimulants may cause heart problems later in life. You should assess these risks with the input of a pediatrician.
3. Alternatives to Stimulants
If your child does not respond to stimulant-based treatments, tricyclic antidepressants are usually prescribed next. You should also have your child tested for possible coexisting conditions, as ADHD is usually treated differently when another psychological disorder is present.
Therapy can teach your child skills to use in the classroom, at home and with friends. You should also check with your local health network to find local programs designed to teach parents the skills they need to help manage childhood ADHD.
