Treating ADHD?.\" the Writer Then Uses Information

¶ … treating ADHD?." The writer then uses information from peer reviewed journals to discuss and conclude the answer to the question. There were five sources used to complete this paper.

As the medical community continues to make advances, disorders that were at one time questionable, are now accepted fact. One of the most controversial disorders in the past five decades has been ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has been the center of focus in the media, and in other arenas when it comes to the topic of abnormal psychology. After decades of debating its merit and validity the public has come to accept the fact that it is a real disorder, most likely biologically based, and something that can last a lifetime. The disorder can wreak havoc in an individual's life socially, economically, and academically unless effective treatment is implemented. ADHD not only affects the person who has it, but also can have a negative impact on the lives of those around them. ADHD students can be disruptive to the class, ADHD adults can be disorganized at work, and ADHDers in general can have social problems that make gatherings difficult. Because of the impact that ADHD has on the lives of those who have it as well as the lives of those around them, it is important to find and implement the most effective treatment possible. This paper seeks to answer the question of the most effective treatment option for people who have ADHD, focusing primarily on children with the disorder.

This topic is important to me for several reasons. Several of my family members are ADHD and learning the best treatment option will provide me with a positive suggestion for their parents. In addition, if I go into the field of psychology I plan to focus on children with ADHD as my primary specialty of service.

ADHD TREATMENT OVERVIEW

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is estimated to affect 3% to 5% of all school-age children in the United States, with a much higher prevalence in child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient populations (30%50%) (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994). Data from recent National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys suggest that there has been a fivefold increase in the proportion of all visits to physicians associated with a diagnosis of ADHD by patients 14 years old and younger between 1985 and 1994 (Zarin et al., 1998b). In fact, ADHD is believed to be one of the most common reasons for mental health referrals to family physicians, pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, and child and adolescent psychiatrists (Biederman et al., 1991; Cantwell, 1996). The recognition of an increase in the number of children being treated for ADHD has been coupled with growing concern about wide variations in practice patterns not easily explained by differences in clinical characteristics (Zarin, 1998)."

With the recognition of the disorder, the treatment of ADHD has become a topic for debate nationwide. The media has splashed shows about medication concerns throughout the nation, and parents who are concerned about ingesting drugs into their child have sought to find alternative treatments For many years it was believed that red dye used in processed food may trigger symptoms of ADHD, as was there concern about sugar overload. When all was said and done however, and the biological component of the disorder became better understood, it became clear that a combination of medication, and non-medication treatments provide the most effective treatment plan for the bulk of children who have ADHD.

A number of scientific documents, including the practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of ADHD of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), stress the importance of individualized and multimodal treatment plans, with psychoeducation and psychostimulant medications as key components of treatment (Zarin, 1998)."

Studies have been conducted regarding the use of medications for children who have ADHD. The studies concluded that the most effective medication for children with ADHD are stimulant medications (Zito, 2002). There is a small percentage of children with ADHD who either are not affected by stimulant medications, OR they have a negative reaction or rebound effect while taking them. For those children there are second tier medications that can be tried including some brands of anti-depressant, or tic disorder medications. The studies came to the conclusion however, that the most effective medication for the majority of children with ADHD are stimulant based. There are several currently available ADHD medications approved for use, including Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, and Dexadrine. One new non-stimulant medication on the market for ADHD is called Strattera.

While the use of medication has been proven to be effective, it has been shown to be only one part of the total treatment package for children with ADHD. Another element of effective treatment is therapy. Psychological therapy combined with the use of medication can work to help the children with ADHD to learn compensatory skills while at the same time providing relief from symptoms through the use of medication.