Are the Available Attention Deficit Disorder Medicines Effective?

Out of the 5 to10 percent cases of ADD in schools, only 1 or 2 percent are actually diagnosed. This is because it is extremely difficult for teachers and parents to isolate and measure each child’s hyperactivity and attention span. Besides, these very symptoms are actually expected out of the 4-12 year old boys.

When Attention Deficit Disorder Medicine Is Required

After a battery of tests and a positive diagnosis of ADD, comes the second phase, i.e. the attention deficit disorder medicine and treatment. The most common medicine used for ADD is Ritalin, commonly known as Speed. This type of drugs has too many side effects and hence is not really preferred by parents or doctors. Counseling is part and parcel of the treatment and this works well when in combination with the right drugs.

In view of the fact that Ritalin is not acceptable as attention deficit disorder medicine, the quest is on for alternative medicines and cures. Some have drifted towards yoga which seems to work slowly, but with definite improvement of memory and attention span. For others, there are many unapproved drugs in the market which come from China, India and other Asian countries which provides cures or amelioration of the symptoms of ADD with herbal attention deficit disorder medicine.

However, above all the other remedial measures, meditation and yoga has been reported to give best results. The problem is that children do not take easily to such type of alternative treatments. Special teaching techniques have been introduced to aid ADD affected children and many of these have met with great success. Teachers play a major role in bringing the child to the regular path. This is why many ADD programs involve the parents of the child and also the two or three teachers that the child is close to.

Parents need a lot of counseling as well. They should know not to push the child more than he/she can move or this can frustrate and traumatize the child further. Most of the ADD children are as puzzled as the adults around them (parents, teachers, relatives, well-wishers) as to why such an intelligent boy is unable to do better at school.

In addition to attention deficit disorder medicine, parental support and understanding is the most powerful part of the treatment of the child. The child should feel that his parents are proud of him and that he can study as well as the next child, give the right support at the right time.