ADD A to Z: Your Guide to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Download Your Copy Today

ADHD, also known as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, is a common problem seen in both children and adults. Although ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder was diagnosed first in the 1851 by Samuel Cartwright, the problems associated with ADHD were first documented in the early 1920s by a British doctor who noticed that many of his patients were showing signs of impulsiveness. Although ADHD was originally called Defect of Moral Control, and went on to be called many things, the symptoms were virtually the same. Today, people diagnosed with this disorder have excellent resources and options to include ADHD medication.

Keep in mind that while ADHD and medication are required in most cases, this form of treatment should usually be coupled with psychological therapy or behavioral therapy as well. Unfortunately, when it comes to ADHD and medication, there is still much controversy among specialists. Some experts strongly believe that medication is essential for successful treatment for patients with ADHD while others feel the pharmaceutical companies are merely making money off the disorder. Regardless, massive studies have been performed with the majority leaning toward ADHD and medication as being a viable treatment option.

What happens is that when ADHD is treated with medication, both Dopamine and Norepinephrine production in the brain is increased. Most often, medication is used as a form of antidepressant that helps to boost the production of the neurotransmitters located at the receptor sites within the brain. With this, the individual with ADHD can receive and process messages just as someone without the disorder can. In other words, ADHD and medication provides the person an opportunity to function as a normal human being with messages being received across a healthy network.

Today, a number of medications are used for treating both ADD and ADHD. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with one of these neurobiological disorders, it is crucial that you work closely with a doctor who specializes in the specific disorder so proper medication can be prescribed. The good news is that while ADHD and medicine are helping millions of people, new drugs are being developed, providing even more promise for a normal life.

Ritalin (methylphenidate)

It is estimated that today, as much as 90% of people diagnosed with ADD or ADHD are on Ritalin or some other type of medication at some point during treatment. Interestingly, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration has recently sent out warnings, stating that too many people are abusing methylphenidate, which is meant to help individuals living with ADD or ADHD. For this reason, you want to have a good understanding of ADHD and medication so you can work with your doctor for proper treatment.

Of all medications used for treating ADD and ADHD, Ritalin is one of the top choices. Although Ritalin has shown to be an excellent drug for children and adults living with ADD or ADHD, you need to remember that ADHD and any medication should be taken seriously, since there are side effects, such as those listed below:

· Dizziness
· Insomnia
· Long-term use creates a greater risk for drug abuse later in life
· Loss of Appetite
· Weight Loss

When doctors prescribe Ritalin, the effectiveness of the drug versus arguments on whether it should even be used need to be considered. Again, many studies show that ADHD and this medication are successful but Ritalin does not benefit everyone. Therefore, careful consideration must be given.

Dexedrine/Dextrostat (dextroamphetamine)

For ADHD and this medication, keep in mind this drug is a stimulant that works as a stabilizer with it comes to people with ADD and ADHD. For example, Dexedrine and Dextrostat work by stimulating areas of the brain responsible for attention, behavior, and impulses, all problems for ADD and ADHD. Since this medication is taken only once in the morning, the overwhelming sense of fatigue often associated with ADHD medication is eliminated.

Remember that when taking these medications, you want to avoid vitamin C or acidic foods for two hours prior and after taking the dose to help diminish the risk of any side effects. The one thing to remember when taking dextroamphetamine is that there are side effects that should to be carefully monitored, which include:

· Headache
· Insomnia
· Irritability
· Growth Suppression
· Loss of Appetite
· Nervousness
· Rapid Heart Rate
· Sleep Disruption
· Tolerance Build Up
· Weight Loss

Other important precautions for this ADHD medication is that individuals with Tourette’s Syndrome, motor tics, anxiety, tension, high blood pressure, psychotic disorders, advanced arteriosclerosis, marked agitation, glaucoma, hypersensivity to detroamphetamine, or hyperthyroidism should avoid this medication at all costs.

Cylert (pemoline)

Cylert is another form of ADHD medication that works as a stabilizer for areas of the brain that control of attention, behavior, and impulses. While this form of drug works well on both ADD and ADHD, side effects and precautions do exist, which are identical to detroamphetamine. Therefore, you would need to work closely with your doctor to ensure the right dose is prescribed.