Treatment Options For ADHD In Children
Treatment options for ADHD are usually associated with medicines. While medicines play a major role in treating ADHD, other options can help. We will discuss medicines, therapy, and home remedies to help treat ADHD in children.
Medicines
Stimulants are the first treatment options for ADHD in children. These are commonly prescribed by doctors since they help balance neurotransmitters, which are chemicals in the brain. The benefit of stimulants is that they work quickly and can help increase concentration and hyperactivity in children. An example of a stimulant is methylphenidate. The right dose can take time to figure out but you need to make sure that your child isn’t experiencing too many side effects from the stimulant. Your doctor will closely monitor your child. There are many side effects of stimulants which you should ask your doctor when he is prescribing.
Non-stimulant medications are another option that can work as treatment options for your child with ADHD. If your child is between the ages of six and 17 then the doctor might prescribe guanfacine. Guanfacine is a medicine for blood pressure but it is often used for treating ADHD symptoms. Your child’s doctor is the best person to tell you whether your child should take non-stimulants for better management of his symptoms. Some children might feel depressed in which case you should contact their doctor. He might prescribe antidepressants such as venlafaxine.
Therapy
Therapy is beneficial for children and is one of the best treatment options for ADHD. There are various types of therapies that might be helpful. These therapies are provided by a mental health professional or a psychiatrist. Behavior therapy can give you strategies that help you deal with difficult problems. Children can benefit from social skills training whereby they learn what type of behavior is acceptable. Psychotherapy is recommended for older children. It helps them talk about their issues and enables them to deal with their symptoms effectively. Family therapies and parenting skills training are other therapies that can help.
Home remedies
Home remedies can be used as treatment options for ADHD when used in conjunction with other treatments for your child. These can help your child deal with ADHD symptoms better. Here are some tips that might help you and your child.
- You should encourage your child so they feel great about themselves. You can find ways to make them feel special.
- You can join support groups that can help you and your child deal with ADHD effectively and help your child become more open.
- You can help your child become more organized. This can be done by minimizing distractions in his room and focusing on organizing.
- You should encourage your child to adopt healthy lifestyle habits such as a proper and nutritious diet.
- You can help your child follow a routine so that your child understands what needs to be done and when.
- You should spend time showing how much you appreciate your child. Depending on what time of appreciation your child loves, do that more often.
- You should encourage your child to develop social skills, and you can create a rewarding system that can help.
There are numerous treatment options for ADHD in children. You should speak to your child’s doctor about which combination of treatment options are best for your child. The goal is for your child to feel better which might take some time.