Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects a patient's life in every aspect. Certain symptoms of ADHD may present themselves as early as infanthood, making early diagnosis possible, says Drs. Thomas Brown and William Mullen from the Yale University School of Medicine and California Pacific Epilepsy Center, respectively. According to the Mayo Clinic, the combination of cognitive-behavioral modification and stimulant medication helps ADHD patients significantly by reducing symptoms and the risk of developing substance abuse problems and mental illnesses.
Early Treatment of ADHD
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, most ADHD drugs can be prescribed to a 6-year-old child. HealthCommunities.com reports that these medications are beneficial roughly 70 to 90 percent of time. However, some studies summarized by the Washington Post suggest that ADHD medication remains effective for only three years and that the long-term effects that these medications cause are not well researched. Behavioral modification to treat ADHD can start even earlier than medication. This type of treatment should include informing parents and teachers about methods of teaching a child with ADHD. With the help of rewards and punishments, those close to an ADHD child can modify his behavior.
Fewer Symptoms of ADHD
In 2008, Drs. George DuPaul and Lee KernSuch started studying the effects of behavioral modification on preschoolers with ADHD. They concluded that early treatment diminishes the number of symptoms exhibited significantly. The study is still ongoing, but the authors believe that early behavioral modification might even help prevent some of the problems children with ADHD face. Yet, this statement still lacks evidence to support it. According to HealthCommunities.com, patients can receive different kinds of help after taking medication, but certain aspects, like the ability to concentrate, have improved after the administration of these medications.
Decreased Risk of Substance Abuse
According to Dr. Martin D. Ohlmeier, substance abuse is common among adolescents and adults suffering from ADHD. In a study published in the journal "Alcohol and Alcoholism," 35 percent of adult ADHD patients are alcoholics. However, it is possible to decrease the risk of a child developing these problems if he starts on an ADHD medication plan by the age of 12, says Salvatore Mannuzza, Ph.D., in the April 2008 issue of "American Journal of Psychiatry."
Reduced Chance of Co-Occuring Illneses
According to Janssen-Ortho.com, ADHD frequently co-occurs with other mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder and depression. For example, Dr. W. Burleson Davis from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas showed in a study published in the "Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology" that ADHD patients commonly suffer from depression. Because of their irritability, hyperactivity and concentration disabilities, children with ADHD may not be invited to play with other children or may be critiqued harshly at school. These events may have an effect on the child, causing him to become depressive, says the National Resource Center on AD/HD. The organization also says that treatment aimed to help patients with ADHD try to minimize this type of trauma and may also help prevent the child from developing other mental illnesses.
Improved Academic Performance
Patients with ADHD frequently struggle at school. Their grades are typically low and they miss more days than their peers. Adults with ADHD do have a lower average educational level and work at lower paying jobs, says Ron de Graaf, Ph.D., in a study published in the "Occupational and Environmental Medicine" journal in December 2008. The early treatment of ADHD helps children perform better at school. Also, when a teacher is aware of the diagnosis, he can also work to change the methods he uses while teaching to suit the needs of the child to further help him improve.
References
- The Brown and White: Professors Study Early Treatment of ADHD
- Health Communities: ADHD Medications--Stimulants
- "American Journal Psychiatry": Age of Methylphenidate Treatment Initiation in Children With ADHD and Later Substance Abuse
- National Resource Center on AD/HD: AD/HD and Co-Existing Disorders
- "Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology Journal"; A review of co-morbid depression in pediatric ADHD: etiology, phenomenology, and treatment; Daviss; December 2008
