| ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity | | | | Non stimulant therapy, the second line treatment |
| Disorder. It affects three to five percent of | | | | for ADHD, involves the use of non-stimulant |
| school going children. It is a behavioral disorder and | | | | drugs. This therapy has been effective in both |
| is characterized by low concentration levels, high | | | | children and adults. This line of treatment is used if |
| distractibility, hyperactivity and restlessness that | | | | stimulants fail to produce the required effect. |
| are unbefitting of the child's age. The children | | | | Atomoxetine is a good example of non stimulant |
| usually have a tendency to day dream and | | | | drugs. |
| complete tasks at a slow pace. | | | | Another class of drugs used in the treatment of |
| There are basically three types of ADHD: ADHD | | | | ADHD is antidepressants. They function by |
| mainly inattentive, ADHD mainly | | | | balancing the level of neurotransmitters |
| hyperactive-impulsive and ADHD combined. This | | | | (chemicals) in the brain. These drugs allow the |
| deficiency syndrome if not treated may persist | | | | chemicals to stay longer in the blood and be used |
| into adulthood. The actual cause of ADHD is not | | | | by the human body. Buropion, Lonidine and |
| known but researchers feel that it may be | | | | Guanfacine are some of the antidepressants used |
| caused as a result of head injuries, sleep apnea, | | | | to treat ADHD. |
| neural changes or by poor parental care. | | | | Two drugs used to treat high blood pressure, |
| ADHD cannot be cured but it can be kept under | | | | Cataprex and Tenex, have been found effective |
| control. Drug treatment used for this purpose | | | | to some extent in treating ADHD, when used |
| includes stimulant therapy, non stimulant therapy | | | | along with stimulants. |
| and antidepressant therapy. | | | | Techniques like Behavioral Management are |
| Stimulant therapy is the mainstream treatment | | | | essential for the treatment of ADHD in children or |
| for controlling ADHD syndrome. The stimulants | | | | adults. It teaches them to gain control of the |
| function by activating those regions in the brain | | | | mind. This technique is usually coupled with the |
| that are responsible for focus, attention and | | | | drug treatment to make it effective. However, it |
| concentration. Examples of stimulants include | | | | must be remembered that using drugs causes |
| Addreall, Concerta, Focalin, Focalin XR, Methylin | | | | side effects like nausea, headache, jitteriness, |
| and Retalin. | | | | stomachache and loss of appetite. |