Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with a pattern of lack of attention, or an impulsive hyperactive that acts to interfere with functioning and the development of the brain. ADHD medications pose serious side effects to patients, and the dosage has to be changed from time to time. Most of the drugs used in the management of ADHD are stimulants that tend to increase the functioning of the brain. The issue of side effects from medication always gives a challenge in that the victim gets two conditions to cater for; treatment of ADHD and managing the effects of side effects from the medication prescribed. The adverse effects of medication for ADHD that include loss of sleep, loss of appetite, delayed growths and rebound when the medication wears off, make natural therapy the best option to take.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with a pattern of lack of attention, or an impulsive hyperactive that acts to interfere with functioning and the development of the brain. Attention deficit refers to the fact that an individual has severe difficulties in maintaining focus when entrusted with a task. The loss of focus is not deliberate or due to severe interruptions but due to a brain disorder. Hyperactivity implies that an individual is generally restless. A hyperactive individual displays constant movements even in situations where mobility is inappropriate or even an individual constantly fidgeting and tapping figures while talking to themselves. Hyperactivity is accompanied by rushed decision-making where an individual takes actions without giving a second thought and even exposes themselves to danger. Among ADHD patients, some only show one of the two symptoms; either attention deficit or hyperactivity, while others posses both traits. The adverse effects of medication for ADHD that include loss of sleep, loss of appetite, delayed growths and rebound when the medication wears off, make natural therapy the best option to take.

ADHD medications pose serious side effects to patients, and the dosage has to be changed from time to time. Most of the drugs used in the management of ADHD are stimulants that tend to increase the functioning of the brain. The issue of side effects from medication always gives a challenge in that the victim gets two conditions to cater for; treatment of ADHD and managing the effects of side effects from the medication prescribed (Currie, 2014). The functioning of stimulants is associated with increasing the production of brain chemicals responsible for focus and decision. Sufficient levels of the required to make a patient become effectively focused while excessive production of the chemicals leads to stress and other harmful side effects.  ADHD medication is divided into two, methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine.

Unfortunately, the two forms of medication cannot be applied interchangeably since patients respond differently to different medication. The response is not purely based on the form of the medication given. Some patients, mainly children, respond differently depending on the formula of the medication administered. Parents to children under ADHD medication require excessive caution and close relationship with doctors to be alert in case of extreme adverse effects. The challenge that faces the people caring for ADHD patients constantly switches between medication forms and release formulas which are a costly and tiring task.

Side-effects due to medication vary considerably between individuals, with some individuals displaying extreme behaviors as a result of medication response. The most common side effect is the lack of sleep among affected children. The reasons behind the child losing sleep also vary between affected individuals and include remaining stimulated even during times when one should be asleep probably due to taking a long-acting dosage. Also, the problem could be caused by taking a short-acting medication late at night that affects the sleeping time of an individual. Administering medication for lack of sleep is equivalent to creating an entirely new condition, and that means the medication is a health hazard rather than providing a cure.

Another problem that comes with ADHD medication is the loss of appetite among children that often happens during lunchtime due to taking the pills in the morning and with the time the medication takes to peak, lunchtime appetite is lost. Significant slow growth is evident in children from ADHD medication. Though the direct relationship between growth and ADHD medication has not been established, it is known that the problem of delayed growth only affects male children. Also, ADHD causes nausea and severe headaches to the patients in the initial stages of dosage. Also, rebound happens when medication leaves the brain quickly. The patient responds by becoming irritated and hyperactive. The extreme intensity of the mood changes could imply that a child is suffering from other conditions other than side effects of ADHD medication and could require immediate medical attention. The several adverse side effects associated with ADHD medication necessitates for natural therapy which does not have adverse side effects.

Although sufficient study could not have been done on the negative impacts of ADHD medication, the few that have been done have already raised a red flag, and the effects are evident (Graham et al., 2011). ADHD medication has been associated with only preventing the display of ADHD symptoms without evident improvement in behavior and brain functioning. The administration of such medication fails to assure the patient the duration they will spend under medication and in most cases it appears the medications prescribed are not curative but rather a way of preventing symptoms from appearing. A critical concern appears in the events that patients show severe cases of a rebound. The appearance of rebound should be a cause for concern because it could mean that the drug is doing more harm than good to the patient.

The best alternative for the medication of ADHD is the use of natural therapy in the management of ADHD. For example, some food colorings and preservatives have been associated with hyperactive behaviors among children. The food with colorings and preservatives under concern are, carbonated beverages, fruit products, and salads, which contain sodium benzoate, breadcrumbs, and cereals which contain sunset yellow, pickles, and yogurt, which contain tartrazine, and in soft drinks and child medications, which contain Allura red. Also, food may contain allergens and children with ADHD will react to these kinds of foods so it would be to avoid such foods. Foods to avoid include food additives used to keep oil products fresh and processed foods such as chewing gum, cereal, butter, potato chips as well as mashed potato. Electroencephalographic (EEG) could also be used to measure brain waves in a child. The EEG procedure involves giving the child a video game to play with the setting that the screen goes off after a disruption (Stroh et al., 2007). The procedure is aimed at training a child on new focusing techniques that help them concentrate on a particular event in a bid to avoid the possible adverse outcome.

Spending time outside and behavioral therapy are effective natural therapy techniques for managing ADHD. Spending time outside exposes the child to a beautiful nature where greenery and nature play the role of enhancing concentration. Behavioral therapy, on the other hand, is combined with parental therapy to improve the concentration techniques in children living with ADHD. The mentors or parents in charge of taking care of children living with ADHD give exercises and set goals to be achieved by the child. The child is discouraged from scoring below the set goal and thus strains to concentrate on finishing the task. The advantage of behavioral therapy is that the procedure can be used together with medication to give excellent results. In parental therapy, the attention is turned to the parent rather than the affected child. The parents are equipped with the tools and equipment necessary for ensuring that ADHD medication succeeds. Other effective natural therapy techniques could include the use of supplements such as zinc, but a doctor should purely direct the use of supplements. ADHD does not purely affect children since there are reported cases of adults with the condition (Vaugh et al., 2012). The same procedure of treatment is efficient even among adults. ADHD among adults should not be taken lightly since adults are more likely to be destructive when possessed by hyperactivity.

Attention deficit means that an individual has difficulties in maintaining focus while a hyperactive individual displays constant movements even in situations where movement is inappropriate or even an individual constantly fidgeting and tapping figures while talking to themselves. Hyperactive individuals tend to make rash decisions, and an individual takes actions without giving a second thought and even exposes themselves to danger. Among ADHD patients, some only show one of the two symptoms; either attention deficit or hyperactivity, while others posses both traits. The adverse effects of medication for ADHD that include loss of sleep, loss of appetite, delayed growths and rebound when the medication wears off, make natural therapy the best option to take. ADHD is a condition that affects every age-set but is more prevalent among children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Vaugh, Bridgette, Kratochvil, Christopher, March, John (2012). The Evidence-Based        Pharmacological Treatment of Pediatric ADHD. International Journal of        Neuropsychopharmacology 15, 27-39.

Stroh, Jennifer,Frankenberger, William, Cornell-Swanson, La Vonne, Wood, Courtney, Pahl,        Stephanie (2007). The Use of Stimulant Medication and Behavioral Interventions for the       Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Survey of Parents’ Knowledge,   Attitudes, and Experiences. Springer Science and Business Media 17, 385-401.

Graham, J., Banaschewski, T., Buitelaar, J., Coghill, D., Danckaerts, M., Dittmann, R. W., … &    Hulpke-Wette, M. (2011). European guidelines on managing adverse effects of            medication for ADHD. European child & adolescent psychiatry, 20(1), 17-37.

Konofal, E., Lecendreux, M., & Cortese, S. (2010). Sleep and ADHD. Sleep medicine, 11(7),       652-658.

Rostain, A. L., & Ramsay, J. R. (2006). A combined treatment approach for adults with    ADHD—results of an open study of 43 patients. Journal of attention disorders, 10(2),       150-159.

Currie, J., Stabile, M., & Jones, L. (2014). Do stimulant medications improve educational and       behavioral outcomes for children with ADHD?. Journal of health economics, 37, 58-69