ADHD Guide

Conventional ADHD Treatments

Many in the medical field still recommend conventional medications to treat ADHD. There are many different medicines on the market that will help to alleviate some of the symptoms of ADHD. There are medicines that are for children and others that are specifically used for adults. Each person may have a different reaction to the drugs so it may take a while to get the right medicine and the correct dosage, so do not count on success the first time. Once the correct treatment is found you should see improvement in the ability to function properly at school or at work.

Changing what you eat, Chinese medicine, Tai Chi or martial arts may be something you may consider to help with ADHD.

What many people don't know is that many of the medications on the market are actually stimulants. This doesn't seem to not be a very logical way to treat ADHD when most of the symptoms are, not being able to concentrate or stay focused on a certain task. What the stimulants actually do is increases certain parts of your brain's activity. This helps the person increase their attention span and gives them better impulse control; it works by regulating your brain's increased activity.

The following list is a few of the more common medications prescribe to treat ADHD:

Amphetamines: There are two real choices in this category Adderall or Dexedrine. Dexedrine has lower doses and is taken several times a day. Adderall has two strengths, one for short periods of time and one that will last longer.

Methylphenidate: There are four basic types and they include Ritalin, Methylin, Focalin, and Metadate. These drugs require you to take them three times a day with a meal. There are a few of these drugs that offer medication that will last up to 12 hours, they are Ritalin LA and Focalin XR.

Some of the other medications for ADHD treatment that are a little less known are Atomoxetine, Wellburtin commonly referred to as Bupropion, and Benzphetamine, which is much less powerful. There are two newer drugs on the market and they are Clonidine and Provigil.

Anyone that suffers from ADHD will find that there is no magic pill to completely get rid of the symptoms, in fact the process of finding what will actually work for you is going to be a process of trial and error. This will take a lot of time and patience to get to the point where the medication actually helps. Make sure you communicate well with your doctor so that they can make any necessary corrections to your medication. Even with medication some people will not experience complete relief for the symptoms, in fact many find that adding alternative treatments is often the way to go.

So if you are looking for relief from the symptoms of ADHD conventional medicine may be part of the solution. If you do not get relief from the first drug prescribed to you let your doctor know and they will adjust your dosage or change your prescription completely. Some people love the fact the drugs help them gain normalcy in their lives.

If you'd like to consider ADHD as a strength then have a peek at a book by Dr.Edward Hallowell; CrazyBusy: Overstretched, Overbooked, and About to Snap! Strategies for Handling Your Fast-Paced Life (Paperback)