| Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder | | | | medications without the supervision of their |
| (ADHD) has become the fastest growing | | | | parents and doctors are more likely to misuse |
| diagnosed disorder among children under the | | | | and become addicted to the drugs. |
| age of 18. Many children in countries such as | | | | |
| the US, New Zealand and Australia are being | | | | There are other types of treatment for ADHD, |
| prescribed medications at an alarming rate. | | | | especially for less severe cases. One |
| As the FDA requires ADHD drugs to carry | | | | alternative treatment is to make dietary |
| warning labels, the overmedication of | | | | changes. There are specific allergy causing |
| children with ADHD is becoming a real | | | | foods that can trigger or add to |
| concern. | | | | hyperactivity such as wheat, dairy products, |
| | | | sugar, soy and eggs. Avoid refined |
| Most ADHD drugs are stimulant that contain | | | | carbohydrates and processed foods. The latter |
| amphetamine. Various side effects have been | | | | tend to contain preservatives, coloring and |
| reported from taking these drugs. Some of | | | | artificial flavoring which can cause further |
| them tend to suppress feelings of any kind, | | | | behavioral problems. A dietician can help |
| making children unhappy. Some are addictive | | | | determine a proper diet plan for children |
| and prone to substance abuse. In some cases, | | | | with ADHD. |
| depression can lead to suicidal thoughts or | | | | |
| actions. | | | | Herbal remedies are also available to treat |
| | | | ADHD and are effective for mild to moderate |
| Ritalin is a common prescription medication | | | | cases. These remedies do not come with the |
| for ADHD in children to help them concentrate | | | | side effects and possible addiction that |
| better. The side effects of Ritalin include | | | | conventional prescription medications do. |
| headaches, stomach ache, insomnia, dizziness, | | | | Behavior therapy is beneficial as it teaches |
| nervousness, weight loss and even cardiac | | | | children to cope in various situations. |
| arrhythmia. The effects of long-term use are | | | | Children that understand how to react when |
| not fully known however it has been linked to | | | | they are frustrated, angry or misunderstood |
| abnormal brain development and stunted growth | | | | can learn to better control their behavior. |
| in small children. | | | | |
| | | | While there is no one treatment that works |
| Adderall is another ADHD drug that combines | | | | for every child, the right combination of |
| various amphetamines. The common side effects | | | | treatment options can keep the symptoms of |
| of taking Adderall include dizziness, | | | | ADHD under control. Parents should be less |
| restlessness, insomnia, headache, dry mouth | | | | accepting of conventional prescription |
| and weight loss. | | | | treatments and should discuss ADHD |
| | | | alternative treatment options with their |
| The potential for addiction and abuse is the | | | | doctor. ADHD children who are prescribed |
| biggest cause for alarm in ADHD medications. | | | | medications must be monitored to prevent |
| Children, particularly teens, who take these | | | | addiction and substance abuse. |