summary_drug_therapy_2

ADD/ADHD is recognized as a behavior disorder affecting approximately 7% of the school-aged population in the United States. It is the most common behavior disorder. ADD and ADHD affect all age groups, males and females, and all races. Generally ADHD interferes with a person’s ability to focus, remain on task and function in both home and social settings. There are three different classifications/sub-types of ADD/ADHD. These sub-types are: ADHD Predominantly Combined Type, ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type, and ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. Symptoms of Inattention:
 * What is ADD/ADHD? **
 * Predominantly Inattentive Type:** Those with this type of ADHD typically find it hard to focus. They are easily distracted and find it difficult to stay on task, organized, focused and have difficulty paying attention to details. These people are easily distractible and have a short attention span. This is a more inward form of ADHD.
 * often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities;
 * often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities;
 * often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly;
 * often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions);
 * often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities;
 * often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework);
 * often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools);
 * is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli;
 * is often forgetful in daily activities.

Symptoms of Hyperactivity:
 * Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type:** Those with this type of ADHD typically feel restless and are impulsive. They have difficulty sitting still and often fidget during tasks. They are typically hyperactive in nature, running, jumping and speaking impulsively or out of turn. This form of ADHD is more external that the Inattentive Type.
 * often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat;
 * often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected;
 * often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness);
 * often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly;
 * is often "on the go" or often act as if “driven by a motor”;
 * often talks excessively.

Symptoms of Impulsivity:
 * often blurts out answers before questions have been completed;
 * often has difficulty awaiting turn;
 * often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

ADHD can be diagnosed at any age, but is most often found in school age children as a result of early identification and intervention in the school setting. Behaviors typical to ADHD are sustained over long periods of time and interfere with many aspects of life. According to the DSM-IV some diagnostic features of ADHD include:
 * Predominantly Combined Type:** Those people with this type of ADHD display a combination of both the Inattentive and Hyperactive-Impulsive types of ADHD.
 * Symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity must persist for at least six months and be maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental levels;
 * Some of the symptoms causing impairment must be present before age 7 years;
 * Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g., at school/work, and at home);
 * Evidence of clinically significant impairment is present in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

The two options used the most for treating ADHD are drug therapy and or behavioral therapy. Drug therapy includes stimulant medications such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, Concerta, Daytrana, Vyvanse, and ADDerall. The word stimulant refers to the capability of this type of drug to awaken the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Parents/patients should understand that the use of stimulants is not a cure and stimulants do have side effects of their own to consider. Behavior therapy touches on many different strategies that parents and children can learn to help improve upon their child’s ADHD behaviors. One technique is goal setting, parents and children should work together to set goals that they can reach together, for example, the child should be dressed by 8 o’clock in the morning. Limit the amount of goals that your child is working on at one time. Parents should always be on the look out for good behaviors and ways to reward that good behavior. The family should work together with a therapist to help understand what drives your child behavior and what can be done accordingly to help your child. Parents and the child should remember that there is really no one solution to solving ADHD. It has been proven that the best course of action is the use of both medication therapy and behavioral therapy.
 * Treatment options for ADHD: **
 * Drug Therapy: **
 * Behavioral Therapy: **

[|http://www.add-adhd.org/ADHD_attention-deficit.html http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/what.htm http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/0_behavior-therapy-and-parent-training-for-adhd_67406.pc?articleId=67406&page=2 http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_medications.htm http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20070720/treating-adhd-drugs-or-therapy-work http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-treatment-overview
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