ADHD Treatment in Children
While ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) may begin during early childhood, the most evident symptoms appear during school age. This is because ADHD in children causes a learning deficit.
We covered ADHD symptoms in children in one of our previous articles. Now, we will guide you through the process of ADHD treatment, how you can aid the process, and we will mention the following crucial topics about the disorder:
ADHD Medication and Treatment for Kids
What is a non-stimulant ADHD medication? What is considered the best ADHD medication? Parents who have children with ADHD always search for the best options for their children, so they have lots of questions to be answered.
The medical treatment for ADHD consists of synthetic stimulators that affect the central nervous system. The treatment process with ADHD medication may continue until the child turns one, or later. Medication for ADHD is not only for children, but can be prescribed to adults as well.
List of ADHD Drugs/Medications
Here is the medication list of common ADHD medications.
- Ritalin
- Concerta
- Adderall
- Clonidine
- Pemoline
- Carbamazepine
- Guanfacine
- Vyvanse
- Intuniv
- Strattera
- Tenex
- Nootropics (a new ADHD medication)
- Antidepressant drugs
Ritalin is the most common drug prescribed by doctors all around the world for the treatment of ADHD, and it is one of the cheapest ADHD medications in the U.S. (without insurance).
The medicine names can vary, but what is important is the stimulant or active substance of the ADHD meds (mostly pills). For instance, methylphenidates are one of the most common ADHD stimulants.
The drugs below are commonly prescribed for treatments other than ADHD (antidepressant, high blood pressure, narcolepsy, etc.). However, besides the drugs listed above, these drugs, too, can be prescribed for the treatment of ADHD if deemed fit by your specialist.
- Wellbutrin
- Vyvanse
- Amantadine
- Bupropion
- Provigil
💡 Please keep in mind that this content is for informational purposes only. Don’t hesitate to look at the common questions about ADHD and get help from an expert to know more about it.
Side Effects of ADHD Medication
Drugs for ADHD are effective for ADHD patients. However, their strong effects may be accompanied by some side effects, which often causes concern for parents whose children have been prescribed one. Therefore, ADHD medications are not recommended unless they are really necessary.
List of ADHD Drugs Side Effects
The side effects listed below are worrying for parents because they are hard to overcome. Parents who want to spare their children such side effects, may, justifiably, resort to alternative medicine. However, ADHD may not be dealt with using herbal treatment alone because it might require various cognitive therapies as well. Herbal treatment may only be used to aid the process of treatment. The list of possible side effects is below:
- Sleeping disorders
- Loss of appetite
- Losing healthy eating habits
- Stomachache and/or headaches
- Twitching (such as meaningless blinking, or periodic cheek or lip muscle contraction)
Treating ADHD Without Medication
The most effective method of ADHD treatment without medication is regular exercise (depending on the severity of ADHD). Here, physical and mental exercises come to the rescue when done regularly and simultaneously.
Brain Exercises for ADHD Treatment
You can increase your mental agility by exercising the brain (e.g. attention and concentration) just like physical exercises. Various riddles, puzzles, and games play an active role in ADHD treatment. Playing MentalUP Brain Exercise Games regularly can help your kid stay mentally strong. MentalUP can also provide you with essential details about your children’s attention skills.
MentalUP promotes attention and concentration development in children. It also supports verbal, mathematical intelligence, and visual intelligence development.
You Are Different
Improves visual attention, visual scanning and comparison.
Giant Dwarf
Improves reaction control, focusing and divided attention.
Missed Balls
Improves visual attention, sustained attention and focusing.
Let’s Draw
Improves visual attention, visualization and spatial perception.
ADHD Treatment With Physical Exercises
A healthy body means a healthy brain! As physical exercises increase the heart rhythm, the blood flow to the brain also improves. So, more oxygen is carried to the brain. During physical exercises, the hormone secretion levels become healthier; correspondingly, this promotes the growth and development of brain cells. Therefore, we can say that various sports activities are among the useful methods of ADHD treatment without medication (depending on the severity of ADHD).
Doing various sports is also recommended for ADHD treatment because physical energy is used in the right way, which supports the treatment of a child with ADHD, and might lower the odds of them climbing the furniture at home and injuring themselves.
MentalUP offers more than 240 fitness games as well as ADHD-friendly brain games! Choose from the categories of balance, strength, stretching, cardio or fun exercises, then start training! 🤸♀️
Doing daily workouts is the best way to use physical energy and is highly recommended for children with ADHD.
Natural Supplements for ADHD in Children
Parents tend to search for proven natural remedies for ADHD in children. Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), caffeine (for age groups as advised by doctors), vitamins, mineral rich herbs, protein, iron and zinc are some of the natural nutrients that are known to help treat ADHD and an ADHD diet containing these natural supplements can help.
However, as much as many parents would love a non-drug treatment, they alone are not sufficient as an inattentive ADHD treatment without medication. However, when supported with the necessary brain exercises, these natural remedies can help patients overcome ADHD.
MentalUP offers 150+ brain-enhancing games for 4-13-year-olds and adults. When supported with natural remedies, these brain exercises help improve the mental development of children with ADHD and develop many skills such as focusing, attention and learning.
Taking Medication for ADHD in Adults
Adults may resort to drugs for ADHD without proper diagnosis or expert consultation. First of all, we should remind you that this method is not healthy. If it is required to use medicine for ADHD, it should be strictly under expert supervision.
To Sum Up: ADHD Medication and Treatment
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be overwhelming for both children and parents, but there are various methods to overcome this disorder. The methods of ADHD treatment with and without medication can be divided into 3 categories:
- Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Clonidine, Pemoline, Carbamazepine can be prescribed by a medical specialist. The period of drug treatment changes depending on the individual. Medications may have several side effects in children. (ADHD medication is not recommended/prescribed unless it is necessary.)
- Regular mental exercises can prevent individuals from developing attention problems, and they can support the medical treatment of ADHD by boosting mental skills. MentalUP Brain Exercise Games are designed by experts specifically for the improvement of mental skills such as the attention and focus span.
- Physical exercises help keep an individual's brain fit, increase the functioning of the brain, and help them receive ADHD treatment without medication (depending on the severeness of ADHD).
Natural remedies alone won’t treat ADHD, but combined with mental and physical exercises, they will help reduce the dosage of ADHD medication for kids (doctor supervision required). Along the same line, using ADHD apps for kids can make their daily lives easier and reduce the effects of AHDH symptoms.
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