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Author:
Angie Dixon

I know some of my readers are up in arms that I even wrote this article. You think there is no question about ADHD medications. The funny thing is, some of you think there's no question that your child SHOULD take ADHD medication, and some of you think there's no question that your child SHOULD NOT take medication for ADHD.

The truth is, it's a very individual decision, and there are a lot of things to consider. First, just to be fair, let me say that my son takes ADHD medication and will as long as I have anything to say about it. For us, not medicating is not an option. It helps him handle his ADHD symptoms and he does better in school and at home. He stays out of ADHD-related trouble caused by impulsive behavior and gets better grades than before the ADHD medication. He also has more friends because he's easier to be around. That's why we decided to medicate Jack's ADHD in spite of side effects like lack of sleep and lack of appetite.

When deciding not to medicate ADHD kids, a lot of parents talk about fear of side effects. This is a legitimate concern and one you should discuss with your doctor before deciding for sure against medications. Since ADHD medications affect different people in different ways, it's possible to mitigate side effects.

Some parents just don't want to give their kids medication for something that is "normal kid behavior." To this I would submit that if you're concerned enough about ADHD to be discussing medication, it might not be "normal."

Other parents really want to try natural remedies/diet/alternative therapies for ADHD first. Again, I would say do your research and know what really works in treating ADHD and what you're getting into.

Some parents believe every ADHD child should be medicated, and don't investigate very thoroughly what medication might work best for their child, but just go with the first thing the doctor suggests. I would suggest that ADHD medication is at best an art and not a science, and sometimes ADHD is very hard to medicate correctly.

My point in all this? There is no right answer. There is what's right for you and your child, and the best judge of that is you, once you've researched all the possibilities and are making informed decisions.

For me, the informed choice is to medicate my son and myself. For you, there may be something that works better. But you need to do your homework first.

Angie Dixon is a writer and ADHD mom of an ADHD son, Jack. For a free report on helping your ADHD son, see Angie's site "That's My Son!" at http://www.Raising-the-ADHD-boy.com

| Article Keywords: ADHD News

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to ADHD News... ADHD Help ADHD is an acronym that stands from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This disorder is more common in males. It is generally diagnosed by the age of seven and is usually accompanied by a learning disability. There has been a great debate when it comes to the primary cause of this disorder. Most medical experts agree that ADHD is attributed to a chemical imbalance in the part of the brain that controls the ability to maintain attention. Most also blame genetics as a contributing factor in developing ADHD. Others argue that a child's diet has a tremendous impact on whether they are susceptible to ADHD. They believe that the intake of processed sugars, preservatives, and artificial flavoring is the main cause of this disorder. Studies from both sides have resulted in similar results. A definite cause is yet to be found. Where do I get help? The most common treatment for ADHD is behavioral therapy and emotional counseling combined with medication to counteract the chemical imbalance in the brain. Once formally diagnosed, you should seek the help from a psychiatrist or a psychologist that has experience with ADHD. If the doctor tells you that medication is required, be sure to do research first before committing to anything. Drug research is very biased, and the efficacy of drug treatment is now being questioned by the scientific community. Be sure to read extensively about any drug that you or your child is going to take. There might be side effects that could damage the sufferer in the long run, regardless if they stopped taking the drug or not. There are also many support groups available for children who suffer from ADHD as well as for their parents. These groups are forums where people get together with others who are suffering from the same thing and...