adhd - Drugs for ADHD

ADHD medications are stimulants and have a similar effect to caffeine, nicotine and street drugs such as cocaine and speed. They stimulate the activity of central nervous system which increases energy levels and helps maintain concentration. How exactly this helps with ADHD is unknown.

Current ADHD medications treat the symptoms of ADHD and not the underlying causes. When testing the drugs, patients were measured by teachers and parents on various behaviour scales. Typically these reported increases in concentration, a reduction in hyperactivity and a general improvement in behavior.

These medicines don't cure the disorder, they only temporarily control the symptoms. Although the drugs help children pay better attention and complete their work, they can't increase knowledge or improve academic skills.

Medication Self-Esteem

When a child's schoolwork and behavior improve after starting medication, the child, parents, and teachers tend to applaud the drug for causing the sudden change. But these changes are actually the child's own strengths and natural abilities coming out from behind a cloud. Giving credit to the medication can make the child feel incompetent. The medication only makes these changes possible. The child must supply the effort and ability. To help children feel good about themselves, parents and teachers need to praise the child, not the drug.