Treating attention deficit disorder involves more than just going to the doctor and getting medication. There are various strategies to manage the challenges posed by ADHD and lead a more peaceful, fulfilling life for you or your child.
Numerous signs of your ADHD
Self-managed if you have the tools and support you need. Even if you choose to take medication, you might be able to do so at a reduced dosage using healthy lifestyle choices and other self-help techniques.
Exercise on a regular basis
Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Physical exercise raises the brain’s levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which are neurotransmitters that affect focus and attention. Take a walk, go skating, hike, dance, or engage in your favorite activity. Encourage your children to spend more time playing outside rather than on the computer.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Nutrition affects symptoms, energy, and mood, but it does not cause ADHD. Set aside regular times for meals and snacks. Boost the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet and ensure that you are getting enough zinc, iron, and magnesium.
Ensure that you receive adequate sleep. Consistently getting enough sleep can significantly reduce the symptoms associated with ADHD. Make small changes to your day schedule to improve the quality of your sleep at night. Create and follow a nighttime routine. Avoid coffee in the later part of the day.
Maintain a positive attitude
Having an optimistic outlook and using common sense are your best weapons while dealing with ADHD. When you’re feeling good, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to relate to your needs or those of your child.
Think about counseling
ADHD specialists can help you or your child break problematic routines and develop new coping mechanisms. While some therapies focus on teaching patients to control their stress, anger, and impulsive behavior, others place more of an emphasis on time management, organizing techniques, and goal persistence.
Consult a Qualified Therapist
Through its online counseling service, BetterHelp pairs you with qualified therapists who specialize in addressing a range of issues, including relationships, depression, anxiety, and other conditions. Once the evaluation is over, you can find a therapist within 48 hours.
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Recommendations for using ADHD medications
If you decide to treat ADHD, it’s imperative that you take prescription medications exactly as directed. By following the directions provided by your pharmacist and doctor, you can maximize the benefits of your ADHD medication while lowering risks and side effects. The following recommendations are to be used safely:
Learn more about the medication that was prescribed.
You and your child may be taking an ADHD medication; learn as much as you can about it, including any potential side effects, recommended dosages, warnings, and items to stay away from, such over-the-counter cold treatments.
Be patient.
Finding the right medication and dosage needs trial and error. It will require some trial and error as well as sincere, candid dialogue with your doctor.
Start off low. Generally speaking, it is advised to start with a low dosage and increase it gradually. Finding the lowest dosage that can lessen your child’s or your own discomfort is the goal.
Watch how the drug affects you.
Pay special attention to how the medication affects your child’s and your own feelings and behaviors. Keep track of any negative side effects and assess how much the medication is reducing symptoms.
Decrease progressively
If you or your child wants to stop taking medication, call your doctor for guidance on how to taper off the amount gradually. Unexpected medicine discontinuation might result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such headaches, fatigue, sadness, and irritability.
Discussing with your kids the use of ADHD medication
Ensure that your child
knows how to take their medication correctly and why, if they are taking medication for ADHD, adhering to prescription guidelines is essential. Many sick children and teenagers stop taking their medication without telling their parents or physician.
Encourage your child to talk to you if they have any problems with their medications so that you can collaborate to find a solution or explore other options for therapy. It is also important to remember that a child’s energy, curiosity, or excitement should never be diminished by an ADHD treatment. A child must still behave like a child.
observing your child’s response to ADHD medication
When your child starts taking a different drug, adjusts their dosage, or starts medication therapy, you should ask them the following questions:
Is your child’s conduct or mood improving as a result of the drug?
Do you believe the medication or dosage is effective? Does your child believe that the medication’s dosage or
functioning?
Is it necessary to raise or lower the dose? What particular behavior, or set of behaviors, changed such that you felt the medication needed to be assessed?
Does your child have any adverse effects, including headaches, nausea, fatigue, or insomnia, or, if they are taking Strattera or another SNRI, suicidal thoughts? How likely is it that those negative consequences will persist? Consult your physician. Do any long-term side effects (if any) outweigh the advantages of the medication?
Do you or your kid believe that a medication or dosage has reached its peak?
From Chaos to Calm: Effective Parenting of Behaviorally Disordered Children with ADHD
Janet E. Heininger and Sharon K. Weiss, Problems.
Handling adverse effects
The majority of kids and adults using ADHD medication will have a few side effects at the very least. After taking the medication for a few weeks, adverse effects can occasionally disappear. With a few easy steps, you might also be able to lessen or prevent undesirable side effects.
appetite decline. Eat wholesome snacks throughout the day to help with decreased appetite, and postpone dinner until after the medication has worn off.
sleeplessness. If you have trouble falling asleep, think about taking the stimulant earlier in the day. You might also think about switching to a short-acting stimulant if you or your child is currently taking an extended-release one. Additionally, stay away from caffeinated drinks, particularly in the afternoon and evening.
headaches or unsettled stomach
The medication may cause headaches, nausea, and stomach pain if taken empty stomach. Medications that are wearing off might also cause headaches; therefore, switching to a long-acting medication may be helpful.
lightheadedness
Get your blood pressure checked first, or that of your child. If it’s typical, you could want to reduce the dosage or go to a stimulant with a longer half-life. Be certain that you’re getting adequate liquids as well.
The mood changes. Try lowering the dosage if the medication is causing agitation, depression, anger, or other negative emotional effects. Rebound effect can also cause moodiness; in this situation, overlapping doses or switching to an extended-release medication may help.
Discuss with your doctor about adjusting the dosage or attempting a different medication if problematic side effects don’t go away despite your best efforts to manage them.
Long-acting or extended release ADHD medications work better for many people because they enter the bloodstream gradually and then gradually wear out. This reduces the fluctuations brought on by fluctuating dosage levels and lessens the likelihood of a rebound effect, which is the recurrence of symptoms when the medicine wears off, usually with worse severity.