Treatment Options for Teens Suffering from ADHD

Though a combination of behavioral therapy and medication is considered helpful in reducing the symptoms of disorder and in improving the patient’s control over himself in case of treating ADHD in teens but all major mental health associations including American Academy of pediatrics, American Medical Association and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry support behavioral therapy as the best treatment option for managing ADHD.

Medication for Teens with ADHD

Medication comes next after behavioral therapy to improve teen’s school performance and level of attentiveness to learn as much as possible, for this purpose both stimulants and nonstimulants drugs are used in various cases.

Stimulants Drugs for Treating ADHD

Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvance and Adderall are most commonly used stimulants for treating ADHD in teens. The purpose of using these stimulants is to empower the weakening neurotransmitters of brain which are responsible for carrying signals between nerves. These neurotransmitters are called dopamine which mainly affects body movements, sleep and learning abilities. Drugs including nicotine are also considered important in increasing the activity of dopamine therefore there exist chances for developing drub abuse in teens suffering from ADHD.

Nonstimulants Drugs for Treating ADHD

The commonly used nonstimulants for treating ADHD include Strattera and Intuniv. Strattera can be used for both adults and children while Intuniv is used for the patients of 6 to 17 years old. Strattera is the first nonstimulant used for treating ADHD while Intuniv was recently approved in 2009. On one hand Strattera increases the attentiveness of a patient by increasing the amount of norepinephrine while on other hand Intuniv also does the same thing along with enhancing self control and memory efficiency by affecting brain receptors.

If we compare the effectiveness of nonstimulants and stimulants in treating ADHD then nonstimulants would be a better choice in this matter. There are some reasons behind such preference. Nonstimulants have long lasting impact over patient’s mind with no risk of aggression or drug abuse at all.   

Role of Parents and Family Members in Managing a Teen with ADHD                   

Teens suffering from ADHD have severe problems in managing relations, self control and daily routine tasks therefore they need full support of their family members particularly of their parents to gain control over themselves. Here parents and other family members can help and support such patient by setting up specific activities for them.

1- Admit and Discuss Over ADHD

First of all they have to admit the reality and should discuss over it with child’s psychiatrist, teachers and with those families suffering from same distressing condition of their teen. This thing will help to understand the disorder and its specific treatment pattern a lot. 

2- Prepare Scheduled Plan for Daily Activities

Secondly they should prepare schedules for routine activities like TV watching, Playing, listening music, doing homework, sleeping and other normal tasks. After preparing these schedules they must be committed to them as with a lack of commitment they cannot induce patient to be committed with it. This thing will improve self management, impulse control and learning abilities of a patient of ADHD.               

3- Use Positive Reinforcement, Avoid Negative Behavior       

Thirdly they must show encouraging attitude towards the patient on accomplishing little tasks. There should be no anger, anxiety or threat involve in dealing with such patient. Be calm and make them calm should be their first rule of home management for ADHD.