ADHD Treatment

ADHD treament can take on a range of types and methods. Sometimes, a patient can get by on just a few new breathing techniques or yoga practices. Other times, counseling or group therapy can do the trick. But sometimes, it because necessary for a person to revert to taking a prescription medication of some kind. The impairment associated with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) warrants treatment. A clinical guideline clearly states that treatment should begin when a teacher, parent or patient at school detects impairment, work, while driving or during other activities.

Most of the treatments are the same in both children and adults. Two classes of drugs, stimulants and non-stimulants, are prescribed for treating ADHD. Stimulants are considered a first-line medication, which has a higher response rate. This is followed by second-line stimulants that have a lower response rate and lower effect size.

A number of scientific studies have demonstrated that the medications currently prescribed for ADHD work very well; however, on an experimental level, CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy is also being considered and will hopefully yield similar results. CBT is considered the therapy of choice for those ADHD patients who cannot tolerate chemical medications or other medications failed to produce results. However, since ADHD is considered a lifelong disorder, research hasn't yet reached a point where it can predict the necessary duration treatment needed to treat a patient.

Since treating an ADHD patient is always tricky for a clinician, the treatment is generally started after gaining a patient's confidence as to why treatment is necessary and what benefits will come from it.