Is
ADHD Curable? No, But It Is Treatable
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) affects more
than 1 in 10 children and often carries on into adulthood. Its symptoms include
hyperactivity, trouble focusing, being easily distracted, and struggling with
time management. The disorder can have a major detrimental effect on both a
person's relationships and career prospects; therefore it should be treated as
soon as it’s detected.
There are a lot of people that want to know: is ADHD
curable? Unfortunately, scientists are not even sure what causes ADHD, much
less how to cure it. However, the good news is that although there is no cure,
there are several treatment options that can alleviate its symptoms. Here are
the most effective treatments for people suffering from ADHD:
1.
Stimulants. Many patients with ADHD are given drugs
from the amphetamine family. What’s interesting is that these stimulants
actually increase a person’s hyperactivity, but help them to channel it into
productive tasks by increasing their focus. Stimulants include Adderall,
Ritalin, dextroamphetamine, and Focalin.
2. Non-stimulant medication. Some medications, like Desipramine and
Amitriptyline, are non-stimulant antidepressants that some people have found
success with (depression, like ADHD, affects the executive function of the
brain.) Another medicine doctors are using is Clonidine, which is usually used
to treat high blood pressure and aggression.
3. Biofeedback. A safe, non-medication therapy wherein a therapist uses a machine
to display a patient's brain waves back to them, then uses that information to
teach the patient how to control their own behavior in response to mental and
physical stimuli. Usually presented in the form of a game, in some patients biofeedback
has been shown to be every bit as effective as a daily regimen of 30mg of
Ritalin.
4. Diet. The current wisdom in the modern
medical industry is that there is no established causal link between diet and
ADHD, but many doctors are beginning to sit up and take notice of multiple
studies showing that some food additives have the potential to exacerbate the
condition. People who eat refined foods and foods with dyes and preservatives
report more trouble with their ADHD than those without. Parents who have begun
supplementing their children's diets with fish oil and B-vitamins also report
that their ADHD children experience better mood stability and focus.
Someday when we ask the question, "Is ADHD
curable?" we will be able to answer, "Yes!" Until then, it
remains a troubling disorder that affects millions of people. Luckily, it is treatable
– both with and without medication.
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