| Before we consider medications for ADD/ADHD, let | | | | whether your medical insurance covers mind altering |
| us answer the question about the difference between | | | | drugs. It could cost you up to $150 a month if you are |
| ADD and ADHD. The earlier term used was ADD | | | | not covered. |
| which stands for attention deficit disorder but | | | | You will need to ask your doctor what are the risks. |
| nowadays the terms ADD and ADHD are used to | | | | You could also find out how exactly these drugs work. |
| mean the same thing. There is a difference clinically | | | | Your doctor may not know the answer to this except |
| speaking and that is that ADD children do not suffer | | | | to say that they are stimulants for the central nervous |
| from hyperactivity but the main problem is inattention. | | | | system. If you ask him to explain what the long term |
| Their symptoms will range from distractability to | | | | effects of these could be on your child's brain, you can |
| inattention and real problems with saying focused and | | | | expect an abrupt or non-committal answer. While he |
| on task. | | | | may be able to list medications for ADHD he cannot |
| If you do decide to go down the medications for ADD | | | | or will not tell you how exactly these medications for |
| ADHD road there are a few questions to ask your | | | | ADD/ADHD work. |
| doctor before you do so. Ask your doctor what type | | | | You should be aware that most of these drugs are |
| of medication he is prescribing. You should be able to | | | | classed as Schedule II drugs which means they are |
| ascertain if it is a stimulant drug (Ritalin, Concerta) an | | | | considered illegal and addictive for those who use |
| anti depressant (Welbutrin) or a non stimulant drug | | | | them without prescriptions. Your teenager may also |
| (Strattera). If you were to ask me to list medications | | | | become a target as a supplier of these drugs at |
| for ADHD, I would say the main ones used to-day are | | | | school and may become a sort of juvenile pusher. |
| Ritalin, Metadate, Riphenidate, Strattera, Vyvense, | | | | If you are upset or worried about the answers your |
| Adderall and Concerta. | | | | doctor gives, you will need to look at alternatives to |
| Find out what this drug is supposed to do and how it | | | | medications for ADD/ADHD and you alone will have |
| will help your child. You will need to ask him about the | | | | to decide what is best for your child's ADHD. If you |
| side effects such as loss of sleep, stomach upsets, | | | | look at an ADHD homeopathic remedy, then you will |
| loss of appetite and dizziness. When can the | | | | never need to have health checks and there will be no |
| medication be taken, at meal times, bedtime or | | | | side effects and the cost is more than reasonable. |
| between meals. What health monitoring checks need | | | | Your doctor may not mention that you will have to |
| to be done? When should you call the doctor if side | | | | make sure that loving effective parenting is key to any |
| effects become cause for alarm and what are the | | | | treatment plan and the site below will help you find a |
| signs? Then you will need to assess the cost and to | | | | program suitable for you. |