ADHD: knowing when to medicate

If you're the parent of a child with ADHD, you've probably wondered whether it's necessary to medicate, as many parents have before. Teachers, doctors, friends and family all have different opinions on this topic, and there is no right answer.

It's difficult to know whether your child would benefit from ADHD medication, but there are some factors you can weigh when making this important decision. Here are some tips that might help you decide whether your child is ready for ADHD medication.

Sometimes other conditions can mimic the symptoms of ADHD. Perhaps your child is simply talkative, energetic or easily excitable and needs more activities to keep him busy. It's important to make sure your child has been accurately diagnosed by a trusted child psychiatrist who has worked with patients with ADHD. Once he has been accurately diagnosed, you can talk with a trusted physician or psychiatrist about whether medication is the right answer.

Mild ADHD doesn't always require medication. Usually, you can come up with different ways of managing a child with less severe symptoms and find ways of helping him stay focused on a task and excel in school and in social situations. Others who have severe problems in school and with their behaviour in general might benefit from medication.

ADHD medications can have a whole range of side effects. They work to increase attention span and decrease disruptive behaviours, but they are also stimulants that can have adverse effects as . Some of them cause insomnia and can also cause aggression, either because the dosage is too high or because the child has difficulty sleeping and is left feeling irritable.

For many children, a combination of different approaches works much better for ADHD than medication. Consider sending your child to therapy or to the school psychologist to discuss different treatment options besides medication. Sometimes working closely with teachers and a child psychologist can allow you to come up with unique solutions that help your child excel in all situations.

Once you have assessed the situation and weighed all of your options, you might decide it is time to opt for medicine to help your child deal with ADHD. It's always best to work closely with a health professional in order to ensure you are making the best decision.