Many children are diagnosed with and medicated for childhood ADHD – and sometimes unnecessarily. Before the age of 25, most people have not fully developed the ability to effectively regulate themselves, often leading to an ADHD diagnosis. However, the symptoms of an attention disorder – the inability to sit still, the struggle to focus, the urge to act out – are often connected to other issues. Some children suffer from anxiety, which can manifest as an inability to be calm or focused and result in a quick childhood ADHD diagnosis. Other children may struggle with an undiagnosed learning disorder or difficulty processing information. In such cases, medication may actually do more harm than good.
Most childhood ADHD medications contain stimulants and create dopamine. While these medicines can help children with true attention disorders manage reactions and control impulsive behavior, they can also cause many children to feel hyper or panicky. Other children may struggle to sleep at night and receive another prescription for a medical sleep aid. And, still other prescribed ADHD medications inhibit the creation of norepinephrine and can make children depressed.
While it is entirely possible to use medication wisely and effectively, these drugs can be addictive and easy to abuse. Because of these risks and side effects, medication is often not a long-term solution to childhood attention disorders, and can be ineffective in treating other buried causes of ADHD-like behavior. But, there is hope.
Waterford Counseling offers a different, systems-focused, and sustainable approach to identifying, treating, and managing childhood ADHD symptoms. A systems approach may include a combination of individual behavior therapy to improve your child’s self-esteem and self-control; family therapy to guide and empower you, as parents, to manage your child’s behavior; and/or neurofeedback to improve long-term mood and behavior self-regulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers these methods very effective, and they have the highest level of evidence-based support.