ADHD In Children - Is Medication The Only Option For Your Child?

Is your child having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? I understand how painful the parents feel when their child is diagnosed with this neuro-behavioral disorder.

Massive Growth Of ADHD

You may have noticed how the cases of diagnosed ADHD in children have soared in recent years. In fact, it is affecting 3-7% of all our children in America, making it the most common childhood disorder.

Prescribed Meds

Are you considering putting your child on prescribed meds? Well, millions of children are now on prescribed medications to relieve their symptoms, including both stimulant and non-stimulant drugs.

If you wonder how such drugs can help a child with ADHD, here is what researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have to say: drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine work by targeting the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in the brain. This special part plays a vital role in a person's attention and decision making.

You probably are concerned with potential harmful effects of these meds. Indeed, unwanted effects are seen in individuals taking these drugs, such as:

• diarrhea,
• decreased appetite,
• sleep problems,
• anxiety.

There are even more devastating risks associated with these meds, for example, suicidal thoughts and hallucinations. If you do make a decision to put your child on ADHD drugs, make sure he/she is closely monitored for psychiatric symptoms.

The European Medicines Agency advises that children on Ritalin should be reviewed yearly to see because of the uncertainly in the long term effects of use of this drug.

Fiction Or Fact

Over the years, I have heard from some people who insist that ADHD is simply a fiction and that the so-called symptoms are simply children being children. But, as a parent to children with this disorder, I am sure you find your child display the inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity symptoms more frequently and in a more extreme way.

If your child has been diagnosed by a qualified health provider, it would help immensely if you work closely with your child, find the most suitable treatment for him/her, and give the child the best support and help they need.

Consider Lifestyle Changes

Apart from medications, you can consider lifestyle changes which can help greatly with your child's symptoms.

Firstly of all, look at your child's diet. A report by doctors at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, USA, has found that a healthy diet could improve behaviors of children that are diagnosed with ADHD. This report says that diet that may help is enriched with fish, fruits, whole grains, vegetables and legumes.

Secondly, try natural treatments. Natural ingredients are mostly safe and non-addictive compared with stimulant drugs. Behavioral therapies and natural remedies have both shown positive results in many children. With these natural treatments, your child can avoid having unpleasant side effects.

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