It is important to find the best ADHD treatment. This includes medication (stimulant and non-stimulant options), therapy, and alternative treatments. You or your child may have recently been diagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), which is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hyperactivity and difficulty focusing.

ADHD Treatment Strategies

The diagnosis of ADHD can be a stressful experience for parents. Gayani DeSilva MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and author of the book A Psychiatrist's Guide: How to Reach Your Depressed Tween, says that parents may not know what ADHD means or is. This can cause a lot of misconceptions and fear.

ADHD cannot be "cured," but people of all ages respond well to the most common treatments. Children's brains are still forming, so their response to treatment may differ from that of adults. The good news is that with the right support provided at an early age (by the time children reach school age), their development will progress at a similar pace to that of peers without an ADHD diagnosis.

What is the best treatment for ADHD?

ADHD treatment should be comprehensive for all age groups. Dr. DeSilva says that pharmacological treatment and occupational therapy are often combined for children. Adults can benefit from a combination of medication, behavioral therapy, or help with organization and structure. Both adults and children can use alternative treatments to manage symptoms.

Can you give ADHD medication to children?

Parents often worry about giving their young children medication. However, Dr. DeSilva explains that, although it sounds counterintuitive to some, the best practices show that for many ADHD kids, not giving medication can be a greater danger than giving medication.

Dr. DeSilva says that children learn to focus and learn at a young age. Kids with ADHD can be affected by these symptoms, which can interfere with normal developmental stages. It is, therefore, important to treat ADHD as soon as possible. Dr. DeSilva explains that the right treatment will help to relieve some of these distractions and allow for normal brain development.

ADHD Drugs that Help with Symptoms

Stimulants are the most commonly used ADHD medications for adults, teenagers, and children. A pharmacist discusses the options, including non-stimulant medications and other off-label medications used to manage ADHD symptoms.

Stimulant Medication for ADHD: What stimulants do?

The most common medication used to treat ADHD is stimulants. Stimulants are designed to target dopamine in the brain, which helps regulate motivation, movement, and emotional responses. It may seem confusing to give a child with ADHD a stimulant since kids with ADHD tend to be hyperactive or overstimulated. Experts explain that if you give a child stimulants, they will not have to look for outside stimulation. They will also be able to focus and learn. According to Dr. DeSilva, this is crucial, as it allows kids with ADHD to learn age-appropriate abilities and build important brain pathways.

Types of stimulant medication for ADHD

There are many stimulants used in children. According to a study in Lancet Psychiatry published in August 2018, methylphenidate is the most effective and easiest-to-tolerate stimulant for children and teenagers. Dexmethylphenidate is another option (Focalin).

Amphetamines, such as Adderall and Adderall XR, or dextroamphetamine, like Dexedrine, ProCentra, or Zenzedi, are also common. These short-term medications can last from three to six hours and may require you to take them several times daily.

Then there are even longer-term options that can work up to 16 hours or more, including dexmethylphenidate, Adderall XR, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), and methylphenidate. There are also longer-term options, such as dexmethylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, Adderall XR, lisdexamfetamine, Vyvanse, and methylphenidate, which can last up to 16 hours.

Dr. DeSilva says: "While the pharmaceutical companies may claim that their medications work for a long time, in reality, the duration of action could be much shorter." Parents can rely on their provider's knowledge of these medications to determine the actual length of action.

New Overnight ADHD Stimulant Option

FDA recently approved a new stimulant option for adults, and kids called HLD200. While most stimulants can be taken in the mornings, HLD200 is a newer formulation of methylphenidate. The new medication is called Jornay pm and is taken at night for the next day. Edward (Ned) Hallowell MD, President of the Hallowell Centers with locations in Boston and New York City as well as Seattle, warns that although the premise is promising in helping kids with ADHD to have a better morning, parents should first wait for a new medication to be on the market for ONE YEAR before allowing their children to use it. Dr. Hallowell has also written several books, including SuperParenting For ADD, Driven to Distraction, and ADHD 2.0.

Stimulant Drug Side Effects

Hallowell and DeSilva agree that while stimulants are effective for children, they can also concern parents. Stimulants, for example, can suppress appetite, leading to weight loss in adults and affect growth in children. Parents should plan so that their children eat enough to coincide with the dosing schedule. Dr. DeSilva suggests that kids have a protein-rich breakfast, like eggs, before taking stimulants. She suggests they eat small snacks during the day and then a big dinner at night.

Stimulants can cause insomnia, personality changes, and an elevated heart rate. Dr. Hallowell says that it is okay to stop the medication if your child experiences any of these side effects. Weaning your child off the medication gradually is unnecessary, as these medications have a short-acting duration and temporary side effects. When the medication wears off, the side effects will stop.

ADHD Medication Abuse - Addiction and Other Concerns

Dr. DeSilva points out, too, that parents are concerned that stimulants may be addictive. However, the stimulant potency is only 1/10,000 that of recreational drugs. She says that college students, among others, abuse stimulants, but children with ADHD treated with medication are less likely than those with untreated ADHD to abuse drugs. She recommends that parents store the medication in a locked box and give the daily dose to all children and teens.