Children on medication for ADHD

What is ADHD and how do drugs play a part in its treatment, and can those medically assisted treatments become dangerous to the child in the form of substance abuse? Dr. Lisa Glasser, pediatrician with Sunrise Children’s Hospital, treats and assists in the dangerous in the diagnosis of children with ADHD. She agrees parents should be on top of what medications their children are taking, but no to be afraid of ADHD medications, when used correctly. According to the center for Disease Control 4.5 million children, ages 5-17 years diagnosed with ADHD as of 2006. The CDC estimates 3 to 6 percent of school children in the United States have ADHD. By state, Nevada falls in the middle range of 7.1-8 percent of ADHD diagnoses, with a low percent in Alabama.

While more boys than girls have it, across the board the disorder can persist into adulthood. The cause is unknown; however, environmental, neurological, and hormonal factors have been pointed to as possible culprits. The terms ADD and ADHD are often used interchangeably whether the patient has symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness or not. ADHD is the official name used by the American Psychiatric Association. The main medications used to treat ADHD are methylphenidate-based medications and Adderall or mixed amphetamines, Glasser said. The main drug used to assist ADHD, such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine, affect the regulation of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. The drugs regulate these chemicals in the brain in different ways so that the ADHD patient can focus their attention and control impulses, thoroughly think through plans and organize thoughts. Some side effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, increased anxiety, nervousness or restlessness, irritability and headache. If all goes well, the patient should have a greater overall quality of life and is not dependent on the drugs used in the process as most children adjust on their own and tend not to show symptoms as they enter adulthood.
Some parents simply don’t want to start down the road of stimulant medication assistance in the treatment of ADHD. The medications themselves don’t cure ADHD and often other stimulants outside of drug therapy do a world of good for a child. Behavioral therapy is also an effective method in accordance with medications. This includes time where a child spends time outside actively playing instead of in front of a television. The current thinking that stimulant or medication therapy can eventually lead to substance abuse of other drugs, alcohol, or nicotine is off base. Children who are diagnosed with ADHD and are not medicated often have a higher risk of substance abuse. But that doesn’t mean should not be involved in prescription, delivery and monitoring of the medications in their children’s diagnosis with ADHD.