ADD/ADHD Drug Guide - Part 2

In the first article of this series, you learned that there are several classes of drugs used to treat ADD/ADHD:  Stimulants; Antidepressants; and Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors.  We are going to start our overview with the class of Stimlulants.

Stimulants are drugs that work in the central nervous system to help the brain increase the circulation levels of those chemicals thought to be at a low level in persons with ADHD.  Stimulants are thoguth to help children and adults concentrate more easily and to help control other symptoms of ADHD.  While most people can take these drugs without difficulty, others have pretty serious side effects.  These can range from minor problems such as decreased appetite and delayed sleep onset, to more troubling symptoms such as tics and even hallucinations.

One major concern parents have about stimulants is that since these drugs can be habit-forming in adults, they might have the same effects on children, or that children might become drug addicts in later years.  The research is sketchy on this, but most agree that addiction in the pediatric population is not a major concern.

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Many doctors and drug companies want you to use medicine as a quick fix for many ailments including ADD/ADHD.  As you begin to research the issue of whether medicine is right for you or your child, make sure you are getting your information form unbiased sources.  If a drug company has financed a study or has written the review of a medication, just keep in mind that they may be motivated by more than just providing education.  Pharmaceuticals are a big business - so buyer beware!