There has been some media commentary in recent years about ADHD being over- diagnosed in the USA, and also regarding possible over- use of Ritalin and similar stimulant medicines to control the behaviour of these children. The long term effects of these stimulant drugs on the brain are also not known. Most children also do not take the medication after school or on the weekends, so that symptoms experienced at home remain the same. A rebound effect immediately after the daily dose has worn off often occurs, when the child’s symptoms are even more severe than usual for a brief period of time. These may include loss of appetite, difficulty going to sleep at night, jitteriness, lethargy and inactivity. There will also be side effects from this medication which will need to be taken into account. What are the side affects of ADHD medication? ![]() If your child’s symptoms are severe you will most likely see a dramatic improvement in school performance once they have adapted to the medication and are on the correct dosage. ![]() Ritalin appears to increase the flow of information to the attention centres of the brain, stimulating attention. In simple terms, these drugs appear to improve the effectiveness of dopamine which is one of the main neuro transmitters in the brain and is related to feelings of reward and happiness. If your child has gone through a full ADHD assessment process with a paediatrician, and received a formal diagnosis it is most likely that a trial of Ritalin, Concerta or other stimulant medication will be offered. What medication is generally prescribed for ADHD and how does it work?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |