|
By Sandy Adamson
In our daily communication, people often associate ADHD medications with children with anxiety. However, from a professional perspective, no direct relation can be established between the two. Probably, they are only associated for the fact that both are related to ADHD. If you do not already know,
ADHD refers to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder, which is a common behavioral disorder suffered by school-age children.
Almost 10% of the
teenagers today are suffering ADHD, and those children are generally hyperactive with an extreme lack of attention and focus. Not surprisingly, they will have great difficulty achieving goals, whether or not they understand what are expected from them.
Despite its seemingly obvious symptoms,
diagnosis of ADHD is not as easy as many would believe. This is because about two thirds of the
children with ADHD also suffer other medical conditions the same time, and the common coexisting conditions include anxiety disorder,
ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) and CD (Conduct Disorder), mood disorder, and learning disabilities. Now, it is not hard to understand the association between ADHD and anxiety - they often go side by side!
In fact, about 25% of the ADHD sufferers also have anxiety disorders. There are both mental and physical symptoms, such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty in concentration, irritability, insomnia, excessive worry, fear, heart racing, sweating, stomach pains, and diarrhea. Others may even develop OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and Tourette's syndrome, as well as motor or vocal tics (movements or sounds that are repeated over and over).
When diagnosing ADHD children who also have anxiety conditions, the doctors will often conduct an interview with the parents to understand the child's full medical history and symptoms. With the medical technology today, ADHD cannot be completely healed. But, with appropriate medications and professional counselling, it can be successfully managed. The anxiety condition is also highly treatable with professional counseling coupled with medications. In both situations, early treatment may help prevent further development of mental problems, including suicide attempts.
There are several types of
ADHD medications, such as
stimulants, non-stimulants and anti-depressants. All of these have proven record of effectiveness, but
none is totally free from side effects although long-term side effects are far and rare. The same can be said for medications for children's anxiety, but of course the two medications cannot be used interchangeably.
Behavior therapy is another effective means to treat both ADHD and children's anxiety. With that method, the doctors endeavor to adjust the behavior of affected children by making right changes to their home and school environment, improving their organisational skill, and setting up an appropriate reward and punish system.
Needless to say, the parents play an essential role in executing the behavior therapy. As the most trusted ones to their ill children, parents can provide enormous support to their kids in a number of ways, such as setting up a routine, improving organisational skills, minimising distractions, setting goals, and establishing confidence. Because of such, almost all treatment programs get parent training included as an integral part.
Despite the importance of the role by parents of the affected children, some people are still attributing the cause of children's mental problem to poor parenting. This, of course, is a complete myth. Today, the stresses faced by our teenagers are no less than adults, which include the worries for schooling and concerns about socialisation. Plus, teenagers' minds are experiencing constant learning and changes. With that being said, there is no need for you to get over concerned if your child is affected. As discussed,
ADHD can be effectively managed
with behavioral therapy and ADHD medications, and children with anxiety can also be successfully treated with the same combination of methods.
Copyright (c) 2008 Sandy Adamson
Article Source: http://www.upublish.info About the Author:
Sandy Adamson
Check out our site If you are looking for a unique, easy, safe and effective way for treating your anxiety. You may also like to check out this related article about different types of panic attacks.
|
