Concerta - ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD, is a real, and manageable, medical condition that affects millions of children and adolescents. Contrary to popular belief, ADHD is not a discipline problem.
Everyday, millions of brain cells (or neurons) communicate with one another using chemicals (called neurotransmitters). However, messages relating to emotion, behavior, thinking and attention are generated by two specific neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine. The belief is that these specific neuro- transmitters may affect ADHD.
Whether there’s an imbalance or an impairment of these neurotransmitters is unclear, and continues to be the subject of medical research.
You should not assume that a child has ADHD because of a few low grades or bursts of excitability every now and then. In fact, ADHD symptoms are persistent and present in multiple settings - whether it’s home, school or during extracurricular activities.
Some signs of ADHD, however, may indicate that the condition could be the reason for your child’s behavior. Be aware of:
- Concerns from multiple sources (a babysitter, parents of your child’s friends, a teacher or coach) that your child’s inattention or hyperactive behavior is causing significant disturbance.
- A persistently high activity level that affects others or causes injury.
- Changes in your child’s emotion and activity level that are not a result of a recent family crisis or alteration in routine
If you are concerned your child may have ADHD, your next step is to schedule an evaluation by a doctor. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, you and your doctor should work together to treat the condition. Research indicates that a successful ADHD treatment program combines medication with a behavioral modification program. Talk to your doctor about treatment options and get the whole family behind your plan.
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