My Child Has Adhd – 5 Questions I Must Ask

My first question is:- Is ADHD an illness? No, it is what is described as a mental disorder. That is, that children ADHD have problems with their neurotransmitters which send signals to their nervous system. In practical terms, that means that when a child has ADHD s/he has great problems in controlling their behaviour. It becomes a real handicap for the child when his or her normal development is compromised because of this disorder. Impulsivity, hyperactivity and daydreaming are some of the most common disturbances we see in these children.

My second question is :- How common is this condition in children? Among children ADHD has been estimated at 4% and 15%. It is three times more common in boys than in girls. There is a strong genetic link in that if a parent has had ADHD himself/herself, then there is a 60% chance that one or more of their children will also suffer from this condition. As to exactly why this is so, nobody knows although recently, two Israeli scientists have identified two genes which may be responsible for behaviour disorders in children.

My third question is :- Why are ADHD drugs considered to be so risky? Most drugs carry a FDA warning about possible side effects and obviously these are rare but there have been alarming cases of sudden deaths and cardiac arrest. The most recent warning concerns children ADHD hallucinating. The Canadian government withdrew Adderall XR in Canada because of these risks. That is why doctors recommend that any if any child has ADHD, they should have an ECG before beginning treatment with ADHD psychostimulant drugs.

My fourth question :- Will the drugs cure ADHD? No, there is no cure for ADHD at the moment. The drugs stimulate the brain so that problems of concentration and attention span, together with control over impulsivity will be kept under control. These are amphetamines so they are powerful mind altering drugs. But there are other much safer ADHD treatments which are just as effective in controlling symptoms.

My fifth question :- If a child has ADHD and is/has been on ADHD medication, will he be able to lead a normal life? It depends on many factors including the home and school environment. But as these amphetmanine and methylphenidate drugs (Ritalin, Adderall, Risperdal and Vyvanse) are actually classed as schedule II drugs by the Drug Enfrorcement Administration, there may be obstacles in them entering the military or other government jobs. There is an onus on the parent to keep all the medicines under lock and key as these psychostimulants are in high demand on the school parking lot. There may be a risk of drug abuse if a child has ADHD.

Why risk your child's development, happiness and future job prospects by taking ADHD drugs which can and do cause problems? There are ADHD natural treatments which , if your child has ADHD, can be administered safely and effectively and there is no risk at all of addiction. Join thousands of wiser parents who have succeeded in bringing up their children to lead happy and successful lives.