ADHD Treatment
 The cause of ADHD is unknown and
there is no cure. Drug options include three well-known medications,
Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall, all of which have good safety records but
do not work for everyone. A combination of treatments is often
recommended. Behavior modification, counseling and educational support all
help the child manage a short attention span or high energy level.
"These children need structure,
clear expectations and immediate feedback for their behavior, both
positive and negative," says Richard Smith, MD, outpatient clinical director for child and family
psychiatry at Rhode Island Hospital. "Their conduct also tends to
be very inconsistent. People often make the mistake of believing the child
is 'not trying.' One psychiatrist put it this way: 'A child with
ADHD has a good day and we hold it against him for the rest of his
life.' "
Judith Owens, MD, is director of
the hospital's Learning, Attention and Behavior program, where children
are assessed, evaluated and given the opportunity to attend support groups
that run concurrently with those for parents. "Here we teach coping
skills, priority setting and self-monitoring," says Owens. "We
track children who are prone to other psychiatric problems. By intervening
sooner, we can provide more help. Despite having ADHD, children in our
program feel better about themselves because they have the chance to work
with others who are struggling with the same issues.
"About half of these children do
not outgrow the disorder and will continue to be challenged throughout
adulthood," adds Owens. But some learn to use ADHD to their
advantage. Due to their drive for excitement, people with ADHD can be
extremely outgoing, which can lead to successful careers in business,
sports or politics. Because of their ability to think about many things at
once, others have achieved acclaim as inventors or won devoted fans for
their musical performances.
Learning to cope with ADHD is an
ongoing process. While it may be a life condition, with treatment,
understanding and support, it does not have to be a life sentence.
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