But when attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is properly diagnosed, for many parents choosing to medicate your child may be the best solution in conjunction with behavioral therapy. Most professionals, despite what the media would make you think, do not automatically prescribe Ritalin or Concerta just because parents can’t stand their child’s behavior anymore. Usually it is only after an extended period of time with behavioral therapy proves ineffective and other alternatives do not provide relief do physicians then suggest the possibility of using pharmaceuticals.

It is important for parents and children to realize that ADD is not just a label for poor behavior. While it may seem unfair to view it as a disability, realizing that it is a medical condition equivalent to other manageable diseases and conditions such as diabetes that need constant monitoring and controlling can help you understand why using medicines may be eventually the only option that can actually result in great improvement.

Much of the concern of using medications for ADHD stems from the potential side effects, which are often loss of appetite, insomnia, lethargy from too high of a dose, and other potential problems resulting from family genetics and history of other diseases. Most physicians will require a full report of family history as well as do a thorough physical exam before prescribing ADHD medication treatment. For example, if there is a history of heart disease or sudden unexplained deaths in a family, most doctors will require testing such as an EKG and a full cardiology exam before writing the prescription to ensure that the child’s genetic disposition does not put him or her at an increased risk for using drug treatments.

All pharmaceutical drugs pose a risk to all people, regardless of age, gender, race, or family health history. Often times an underlying and undiagnosed condition are the culprit in severe side effects or complications associated with using drugs to treat the disorder. If ADHD medication side effects are a primary concern for you, your doctor should be willing to discuss the potential risks with you openly. It is then necessary for you to decide if the potential risks outweigh the possible benefits and vice versa. For example, if your child’s diagnosis is something that makes him or her do dangerous things that may cause injury to oneself or others, it is likely the potential benefits far outweigh the risks. It may also be necessary in cases where daily life has become so unbearable that both the parents and the child can no longer cope or function with other tasks. When all other possibilities for treatment have been exhausted, it is likely that prescription drugs may be able to provide a huge relief for both parents and child.

Finding the proper treatment and dosage is usually the most difficult part for parents and physicians to determine. Most doctors will begin at the lowest possible dosage and then monitor the child’s changes in behavior and progress in order to determine if the right treatment has been selected, or if a higher dosage may result in a much better outcome. There are many different types of brand names for the different prescriptions available, the most commonly known one being Ritalin. Concerta over the past few years has become more popular, and there are also other types as well. Almost all of the different drugs are some type of form of the stimulant Methylphenidate. While Ritalin is the one with the most bad press, it is also the oldest one that has been in use, which makes many doctors feel most comfortable with it because it has been studied for a long period of time (several decades) and is considered to be one of the safer ones.

However, one of the problems with Ritalin is that it is not long lasting. Most dosages may wear off after only 4 to 6 hours, which is barely enough to cover a school day, let alone make it through homework time or other activities. Because of this shortcoming, there are now several extended release formulas available which generally last 12 hours or so, depending on the child’s reaction to the product.

Your doctor should be able to provide you with adhd medication comparisons to help you determine the best treatment options for your child. Since medication legislation, dosages available, new brands and developments, and other important information often frequently change, rather than list all of the possible drugs here for you to compare and decide, we feel that it is best for you to speak about it with your doctor, who should have a list available for you to look at for weighing the pros and the cons.

A well qualified and experienced physician/child psychiatrist will be able to tell you from personal experience as well as the latest news releases and information updates which medications for ADHD are considered to be the most beneficial and pose the least amount of risk for side effects complications to your child. Remember that everyone’s personal health history and situation is different, which is why you will much likely be at more benefit to speak with your doctor than rely on information you read on websites.

Having open communication with your child’s doctor will greatly help clear up any confusion you have, as well as address your fears, hopes, and concerns. Your child’s physicians should be seen as your biggest assets and allies in controlling, managing, and effectively living with ADHD, as they are able to assess the situation objectively and suggest the best possible solutions.