Adhd And Appetite Suppression

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders diagnosed in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control. With symptoms that include inattention, distractibility, impulsivity and inability to sit still, ADHD is treated with medication and behavior therapy. While medication to treat ADHD can be very effective, it can also cause side effects, including appetite suppression and insomnia in some patients.

ADHD Medication Side Effects

ADHD is treated through a combination of medication, behavior intervention and education for the patient and his family. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate, known more commonly by its brand name, Ritalin, have been shown to be effective, but they do come with side effects. The most common include appetite suppression, insomnia, irritability, headaches, cardiovascular irregularities, tics, abdominal pain and problems with growth. Talk to your doctor if you or your child are having side effects.

Drug Holidays

One technique for managing side effects of stimulant drugs in children being treated for ADHD is "drug holidays." Drug holidays involve stopping medication for ADHD for a time, perhaps over the summer, during a vacation, or just over the weekend. According to the National Institutes of Health's "The Medscape Journal of Medicine," experts differ on the effectiveness of drug holidays. Some claim taking time off from drugs reduces unpleasant effects such as appetite suppression and insomnia, but others point to studies that show drug holidays offer little benefit to patients. If you are considering a drug holiday to reduce symptoms such as appetite suppression, discuss it thoroughly with your doctor first.

ADHD and Eating Disorders

While appetite suppression is a common side effect of drugs used to treat ADHD, the disorder itself may contribute to food and eating-related issues in some people. A study at the University of Virginia published in the February 2008 "Journal of Abnormal Psychology" indicates that adolescent girls diagnosed with ADHD were at substantially higher of developing eating disorders. According to researchers, the impulsivity associated with ADHD may make it more difficult for patients to maintain healthy eating habits. If you or your child has ADHD, discuss symptoms of eating disorders with your physician.

ADHD Drugs and Leptin

Research on eating and appetite has uncovered an important hormone related to these functions, leptin. Scientists think leptin acts to "shut off" your appetite and rev up your metabolism. A study conducted at Gazi University School of Medicine in Ankara, Turkey focused on whether or not the commonly prescribed stimulant methylphenidate had an effect on levels of leptin in the body. The researchers found that smaller doses of methylphenidate, in this case 0.6 mg per day, did not seem to produce significant side effects as far as appetite suppression or leptin levels. Talk with your physician before changing any medication dosages.