Is This The Way To Treat ADHD?

New studies are now being released on an almost weekly basis which help us to reflect on the way to treat ADHD. I have just seen the results of a study carried out at Wayne State University.

The researchers there used brain scans. What they found was that children with ADHD had different scans from those of normal kids. They homed in on the area of the brain which is known as the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex,(dACC). This area of the brain helps us to organize things and is key to executive functions. In ADHD children, their scans showed that this area was very active indeed. Researchers are convinced that this difference could explain all the problems that ADHD children and adults display. They have short attention spans and are prone to impulsivity and distraction. This difference in their brain activity could be at the root of the children's learning difficulties.

Dr. Castellanos works as a psychiatrist at the Langone Medical Center at New York University. His research showed that children with ADHD have less grey matter. This matter lies in the cortex areas and they have a rather thin layer, compared to those of normal children. The research points out that even after taking psychostimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin, the problem of the thinner layer of brain remains and is carried into adulthood. This would seem to indicate that the long term effects of these drugs on the brain is practically nil and it can only relieve symptoms, at the most.

These two studies show that the way to treat ADHD is much more complicated than merely prescribing psychostimulants. We understand very little about how the brain really works and prescribing a stimulant will not solve the problem.

In the most recent Medco report, Dr, Muniz reported back on his findings and found that there was a whopping increase in the prescriptions for all mental health conditions, ranging from depression to ADHD. In a ten year period there has been a 40% increase in the number of girls taking the classic ADHD meds. Even more alarming was the 264% increase in young women (20 - 44) age group which suggests that many women are discovering they have ADHD at a relatively late age. This suggests that because many girls suffer from ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and are not hyperactive so the condition goes unnoticed and is discovered much later on. They may discover it when poor memory, short attention span and a lack of focus puts their job at risk.

In any case, Dr. Muniz warns against the tendency that Americans have for a quick fix when it comes to medicine.

There is another worrying aspect of the Medco report in that the diagnosis before these meds are prescribed seems to be flawed, to say the least! Most of the drugs are used for off-label purposes which basically means that they are prescribed for conditions that they were not originally destined for.

This means that people who are really suffering from fibromyalgia get antidepressants. Drugs like Seroquel should only be used to treat psychosis but are often prescribed for bipolar disorder. There are concerns about the side effects such as a much higher risk of developing Type II diabetes, for example.

All this points to the tendency that Americans have for a quick fix when it comes to medicine. Even more alarming is the cavalier attitude of some doctors in prescribing these drugs.

Now, what does all this tell us about how to treat ADHD? Should we be looking for a more intelligent approach? Well, the CDC and most of America's pediatric associations have been telling us that for the last few years.

There is also lots of evidence which shows that the longer a child takes medication for ADHD, the less effect it will have on the symptoms. That encourages mere people to increase dosage, rather than lessen it. Research also shows that after three years, the effects wear off completely and the drugs are no longer effective even in reducing and alleviating symptoms.

In the meanwhile, the child has grown and unless other strategies have been employed, well, the time is running out and he will hardly be equipped with any life skills. That is the tragedy.

So, all the medical authorities now recommend that a multi pronged approach works best. Medication can have a role but they all recommend that ADHD behavior therapy plus other initiatives at home and at school, is the only way to go.

We should be looking seriously at parenting skills and ADHD behavior therapy as the first prong in the treatment plan.

Secondly we should be getting all the help we can get so that we have maximum support at home and at school. That means seeking out all the accommodations and service which are available at school and being proactive rather than passive in obtaining them.

Then there is the whole question of providing an ADHD friendly home so that routine and structure can really help the child. However, it is the task of equipping our kids with the life skills that they need which is absolutely vital.

As regards medical options, we need to be much more open minded about looking at the alternatives. ADHD homeopathic remedies can be just as effective as conventional medication and is completely free of all risks and side effects.