By: Heather Willis. Inattention -- A child with ADHD: Is easily distracted Does not follow directions or finish tasks Does not appear to be listening.

STIMULANTS AND ADHD

By: Heather Willis

What is ADHD? Inattention -- A child with ADHD: Is easily distracted Does not follow directions or finish tasks Does not appear to be listening when someone is speaking Does not pay attention and makes careless mistakes Is forgetful about daily activities Has problems organizing daily tasks Avoids or dislikes activities that require sitting still or a sustained effort Often loses things, including personal items Has a tendency to daydream

Hyperactivity -- A child with ADHD: Often squirms, fidgets, or bounces when sitting Does not stay seated as expected Has difficulty playing quietly Is always moving, such as running or climbing on things (In teens and adults, this is

more commonly described as a sense of restlessness) Talks excessively

Impulsivity -- A child with ADHD: Has difficulty waiting for his or her turn Blurts out answers before the question has been completed Often interrupts others

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ADHD Symptoms in Adults

Chronic lateness and forgetfulness Anxiety Low self-esteem Employment problems Difficulty controlling anger Impulsiveness Substance abuse or addiction Poor organization skills Procrastination Low frustration tolerance Chronic boredom Difficulty concentrating when

reading Mood swings Depression Relationship problems

Causes:

The exact cause of ADHD is not known, although researchers continue to study the brain for clues. They suspect that there are several factors that may contribute to the condition, including:

Heredity: The fact that ADHD tends to run in families suggests that children may inherit a tendency to develop ADHD from their parents.

Chemical imbalance: Experts believe an imbalance of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that transmit nerve impulses may be a factor in the development of ADHD symptoms.

Brain changes: Areas of the brain that control attention are less active in children with ADHD than in children without ADHD.

Low Self Esteem

Children with ADHD can be angry, frustrated and depressed, especially before they’re diagnosed and treated. Imagine trying, day after day, and failing miserably, and wondering what is wrong with you and why you are different. Kids reports feelings of sadness, anger and frustration.

To medicate or not to medicate?

Stimulants used to treat ADHD are Schedule II drugs.

Stimulants are the best-known and most widely used treatments. Between 70-80 percent of children with ADHD respond positively to these medications.

Psychostimulant Meds:

Common psychostimulant medications used in the treatment of ADHD include methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, Focalin), mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine product (Adderall, Adderall XR), and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat). Methylphenidate, amphetamine, and mixed salts of amphetamine are now available as both short- and long-acting preparations. Short-acting preparations generally last approximately 4 hours; long-acting preparations are more variable in duration - with some preparations lasting 6-8 hours, and newer preparations lasting 10-12 hours.

Non-Stimulant Meds

Although stimulants are the best tested and most widely used medications for the treatment of ADHD, some children, adolescents and adults respond just as well or better to treatment with other medications that are not stimulants.

Atomoxetine (Strattera) neither a stimulant nor an antidepressant. It alleviates inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms of ADHD by affecting specific aspects of the norepinephrine system.

Antidepressants that only affect the serotonin system - i.e. serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and citalopram (Celexa) - have not been shown to be effective for treating primary symptoms of ADHD but may be effective against co-existing conditions. Clonidine (Catapres) and guanfacine (Tenex) are sometimes prescribed to reduce excessive hyperactivity or severe insomnia in children with ADHD.

How They Work:

Stimulants do not cure ADHD; when effective, it alleviates ADHD symptoms during the time it is active. Thus it is not like an antibiotic that may cure a bacterial infection, but more like eyeglasses that help to improve vision only during the time the eyeglasses are actually worn.

The effects of psychostimulant medications are usually noticeable within 30-60 minutes once an appropriate dose for that individual has been found. However, determining the proper dosage and medication schedule for each individual often takes a few weeks.

Nonstimulant medications often require several weeks before their full effects can be observed.

For someone with ADHD, stimulants regulate impulsive behavior and improve attention span and focus by increasing the levels

of certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which help transmit signals between nerves.

Now you have more dopamine in the synapse, and it is increasing the firing rate.

Brain Activity

Stimulant Side Effects Decreased Appetite/Weight Loss

Insomnia

Headaches/Stomachaches

Lethargy

Increased Blood Pressure

Irritability/Moodiness

Nervousness/Anxiety/Panic Attacks

Motor Tics

Depression

Suicidal Thoughts or Tendencies

Studies Show:

In a study out of Virginia, results showed that 48 percent of the 325 patients surveyed reported at least one side effect, most often loss of appetite, sleep problems, and mood swings. Differences between the drugs in terms of side effects were thought to be minor. About a fifth (21 percent) of the side effects were considered “very bothersome” or “extremely bothersome,” but only 20 percent of patients mentioned the side effects to their physicians.

State-based Prevalence Data of all Children Receiving ADHD

Medication Treatment (2011 - 2012)

The Other Side of the Story

Natural Remedies:

Therapy Vitamins such as zinc,

iron, magnesium, and fish oil.

Supplements Nutrition adjustments

to a more balanced diet and exclude sugary and processed food.

Avoid certain food colorings and additives.

References: "ADHD: Child's Experience." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. .

<http://www.parenting.com/health-guide/adhd-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/childs-experience>.

"Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 23 Mar. 2013. Web. . <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002518/>.

"Managing Medication for Children and Adolescents with ADHD (WWK3)." Managing Medication for Children and Adolescents with ADHD (WWK3). N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.

"» Side Effects of ADHD Medications - Psych Central." Psych Central.com. N.p., n.d. Web. . <http://psychcentral.com/lib/side-effects-of-adhd-medications/0003782>.

"What Is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What You Need to Know." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.