Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder occurs in one in every 20 children (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999).  It is more likely to occur in boys.
 
Children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are at risk for other mental disorders such as:

• Oppositional or conduct disorder
• Anxiety disorder
• Depression
• A learning disability

Sometimes children or adolescents will have two or more of these disorders in addition to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Other conditions these children are at risk for include:

• Personality and substance abuse disorders when adolescents or adults

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a major reason that children are referred for mental health services.  Boys are more likely to be referred for treatment than girls.  This may be due, in part, because many boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder also have conduct disorder.

Causes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder:

• Viruses
• Harmful chemicals in the environment
• Genetics
• Problems during pregnancy or delivery
• Anything that impairs brain development

All the above can play a role in causing the disorder, however, there is no one cause that seems to apply to all young people with the disorder.

Traditional approaches to treatment involve:

• Medications
• And/or behavior therapy

Medications used in treatment:

• Most widely used drugs are stimulants
• Antidepressants
• Tranquilizers

Stimulants increase activity in parts of the brain that appear to be under active in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.  It is believed that this is why stimulants improve attention and reduce impulsive, hyperactive, or aggressive behavior.  Antidepressants may help alleviate symptoms of the disorder for some children and adolescents.  Tranquilizers have been effective for some individuals.  It is important to note that these are not all the medications that can be prescribed for this disorder.
 
The medications used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have side effects like most medications that may include:

• Loss of weight
• Reduced appetites
• Trouble falling asleep

Many times the side effects can be alleviated by adjusting the dosage and most doctors agree the benefits of these medications outweigh the possible side effects.

Other treatment approaches include:

• Behavior therapy that involves using techniques and strategies to modify the behavior of children with the disorder
Behavior therapy may include:
• Instructions for parents and teachers on how to manage and modify children’s or adolescents’ behavior, such as rewarding good behaviors
• Daily report cards to link efforts between home and school, where parents reward children or adolescents for good school performance and behavior
• Summer and Saturday programs
• Special classrooms that use intensive behavior modification
• Specially trained classroom aides

There is ongoing research efforts aimed at identifying new medicines and treatments.  A combination of stimulants and behavior therapy is believed to be helpful; however, it is not clear how long the benefits from this approach last.

Source:  SAMHSA’s National Mental Health Information Center

Disclaimer:  The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.

Written by:  Connie Limon  Visit:  http://smalldogs2.com/ChildrensMentalHealth for more information.   Visit:  http://www.camelotarticles for a variety of FREE reprint articles.

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