Medications are the main treatment for ADHD. Counselling, behavioural therapy and family and marital therapy can also help manage symptoms.
The most commonly used medication for ADHD is a stimulant. However, it is important to note that medication is only effective if taken under a physician’s supervision. It is also important to know that some people may experience side effects.
Diagnosis
In children, ADHD often becomes noticeable before age 7. Your child might have trouble paying attention at school, make careless mistakes in class and find it hard to sit still. They may fidget or look restless, and they might have difficulty waiting for their turn at home. These symptoms are called inattention and hyperactivity.
A doctor can evaluate your child for ADHD. They will ask about your child’s social, family and educational history. They will also ask about when your child’s symptoms started and how much they affect your child’s behaviour. They might also use a behaviour rating scale or checklist to assess your child’s symptoms.
Psycho-educational or neuropsychological assessments can help your child and your family understand their ADHD symptoms. These tests can show whether your child’s problems are due to ADHD or another mental health condition.
Medicine can help control your child’s symptoms. Stimulant medicines can help people with ADHD focus and decrease their hyperactivity and impulsivity. They can also help reduce depression and other mental health problems that sometimes occur with ADHD, such as anxiety disorders.
Your doctor may also recommend non-stimulant medicines, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and clonidine (Catapres). They aren’t as effective as stimulants, but they can be useful for people who don’t get well with stimulant medications. It is important to take your medication as directed. It can be dangerous to abuse these medicines, and it’s important that your child takes them only under a doctor’s supervision.
Medication
Medications are often used to treat ADHD symptoms. They are usually easy to take and can help improve a person’s ability to concentrate and focus, even in the face of distractions. However, the medications can cause side effects. Some people may have trouble sleeping because of the medication, and others might become tolerant to it over time. Some people also have difficulty with a change in dosage. It is important to see a doctor regularly to adjust the dose of the medicine and monitor for side effects.
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown, but it’s believed that genetic factors play a role. It’s common for children to get diagnosed with the condition, but it can also affect adults. Symptoms of the disorder include trouble paying attention and sitting still for long periods of time (inattentive symptoms) as well as being fidgety or impulsive (hyperactivity symptoms). People with ADHD have a hard time making friends and getting along with their peers, as they tend to get into arguments more easily. They can also have problems with relationships and family dynamics.
There are many treatment options available for adults with ADHD, including cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy. CBT is especially effective for people with ADHD, as it teaches them to manage their symptoms by learning to recognize them and use self-control strategies. Research has shown that combining pharmacotherapy with CBT significantly improves adult ADHD symptoms and functioning.
Counselling
There are many counselling services that can help people with ADHD. These include behavioural therapy and cognitive-based counselling. In behavioural therapy, an adult consistently delivers rewards and consequences to encourage a child to change his or her behaviour. This has been shown to be more effective than cognitive-based therapies.
Children with ADHD often have trouble paying attention. They may make careless mistakes in school or struggle to keep up with homework. They may also have difficulty sitting still for long periods of time. They may fidget and feel restless, or they might have a hard time playing with other kids. The disorder can lead to problems with relationships and socialization.
In addition to medications, counselling can help children with ADHD cope with their symptoms. It can also teach them to manage their behaviours at home and in the workplace. The services of counsellors are often covered by extended health plans.
It is important to recognize the underlying causes of ADHD. The condition can be difficult for children and adults alike, and it can have a serious impact on family relationships. Some people do not realize they have ADHD until they are diagnosed, but others learn to manage their symptoms and find careers that let them use their strengths. For example, some people with ADHD are very creative and curious.
Home treatment
A person with ADHD may have trouble paying attention and staying focused for long periods of time. They may also have difficulty sitting still or feeling calm and quiet. These problems can affect a person at school, work, or home. It’s important to treat the symptoms of ADHD to help people lead healthy lives and get the most out of life.
Some people who have ADHD use medicines to control their symptoms. These medications can include stimulants, which increase the activity in a brain’s reward areas and can improve concentration. Some medicines can also be used to decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity, such as atomoxetine (Strattera), clonidine (Catapres), or guanfacine (Intuniv). These medicines should only be taken under the supervision of your doctor. It’s possible to become addicted to these medicines, so you should only take them as prescribed.
Counselling can help a person with ADHD deal with the emotional and mental aspects of their condition. Counselling can teach coping skills, and help you identify ways to improve your life. In addition, counselling can help you develop a stronger sense of self-worth and find the right balance in your life. Neurofeedback is another helpful tool for managing ADHD, as it resets the nervous system and brain. It also helps you become more aware of your emotions and thoughts, and can make it easier to regulate them. ADHD therapy north Vancouver