To Medicate or Not to Medicate? How Meds Can Help Your ADHD Child Get the Most Out of Life
Interestingly, the first clinical observations of the ways in which stimulants impact hyperactivity occurred all the way back in the 1930s, just as modern psychopharmacology was beginning to emerge. Today, various studies have shown again and again that stimulant medications are effective in 85 percent of children and adolescents who suffer from ADHD. For parents of ADHD kids, the decision to medicate can be a tricky one, since there is the potential for side effects, which can range from sleep difficulties and appetite reduction to stomachaches and headaches. But there are significant benefits to be seen from this type of treatment in terms of your child’s academic, behavioral, and social functioning.
Benefits of ADHD Medications
When used properly, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD (such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine) are effective in suppressing and regulating impulsive, hyperactive behavior while improving focus, as well as social interactions, both with adults and peers. The beneficial effects of the stimulant medication can be dramatic and occur quickly, with improvement typically being noted by parents and teachers either immediately or within the first half hour. Here are some of the main advantages offered by stimulant ADHD meds:
- They have a long history of use in children. Clinicians have been using stimulants regularly in children and young adolescents since the 1960s. In addition, these drugs have been studied more extensively over the past 50 years than any other psychoactive drug prescribed for children.
- They can have a major impact on academic performance. In fact, in many children classroom work and behavior can be improved to the extent that the child is no longer distinguishable from classmates. And since there is such an improvement in disruptive behavior, there is more of an opportunity for the child to learn and develop critical academic and critical thinking skills that he or she will use for a lifetime.
- The benefits persist over time. Unlike other types of medications, patients who take stimulant meds for a long period of time do not grow tolerant to them. Thus, dosage increases are generally not needed except to accommodate for natural growth and weight gain.
Questions to Ask Before Medicating Your Child
Are there any physical problems that the prescribing doctor needs to be aware of? For instance, the American Heart Association recommends that all children have a cardiac evaluation prior to starting a stimulant. If your child has a heart condition or one runs in your family, your doctor needs to know about it. Stimulant medications are also contraindicative for patients with high blood pressure and hyperthyroidism.
Are there any psychiatric problems present? ADHD stimulants can trigger or exacerbate symptoms of other underlying psychiatric issues. If your child has (or has a family history of) bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety, this needs to be discussed with your doctor.
It’s important to understand that medication does not cure ADHD. It can relieve symptoms while it’s being taken and give your child and your family your lives back, but once the medication is stopped, those symptoms come back. Always speak to your doctor before changing your child’s dose.