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Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Treatments for ADHD – Attention Deficit and Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Unfortunately for families struggling to cope with the affects of ADHD on their lives, the NHS is severely limited as to what it can do to help. In fact, for children under 6 years of age all the NHS can offer is ‘parental training’. While support of this nature can be useful, many parents desire an actual solution for their child, not merely a coping mechanism.

And even when your child reaches six years old and the prospect of medicating your loved one becomes an option, it can often be a very difficult decision to make.

What drugs are available for the treatment of ADHD?

Social disorder in children

In the UK, three drugs are licensed for the management of ADHD in children aged six and over:

    • Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet XL, Equasym XL)
    • Dexamfetamine (Adderall, Dexadrine)
    • Atomoxetine (Strattera)

Methylphenidate and Dexamfetamine are psycho-stimulant drugs that provide a temporary increase in the patient’s mental or physical arousal. What may surprise you is it is not exactly clear how these stimulants work. It is believed they release chemicals in the brain that increase attention and improve the control function of the brain, reducing hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Atomoxetine (Strattera) is not a stimulant so can be used to provide 24-hour relief from ADHD symptoms. Again, quite how it works is not understood, but there are some worrying side effects. 

 

Do medications for ADHD have serious side effects?

The simple answer is: yes, they can. There is no doubt these drugs can be effective in controlling behaviour. But they all have side effects and will change your child’s personality.

Medications and pills for children with ADHDRanging from relatively mild side effects such as headaches and trouble sleeping, all the way to hallucinations and sudden death in susceptible patients. How your child will be affected by medication will not be known until you begin treatment. It’s a level of uncertainty that many parents are just unwilling to take a chance with. Read more about the side effects and concerns about ADHD medication here.

Neurofeedback offers a better solution – an alternative to drugs for ADHD without the side effects. Neurofeedback is a natural way to provide the tools to ‘fine tune’ your child’s brain for optimum performance in all situations, using the brain’s own ability to self-regulate and create permanent learning. Read more about Neurofeedback here.

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For more information about this effective and safe treatment to improve the brain ability of your child, please call BrainTrainUK today.

To read more about this, please read the next page on Neurofeedback Brain Treatment for ADHD.