In 2011, more than 1 in 10 children were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (Visser, 2014). ADHD is a condition where the individual displays impulsive, hyperactive, and inattentive behaviors which are likely to create complications in their development and functioning, especially in social situations (Efron, 2015; Meppelink, 2016; Pellow, 2011; Prasad, 2011; Wikes, 2011). In health, it is important to understand how to best manage symptoms especially those that accompany conditions that can be chronic and lifelong. Understanding ADHD better will allow people to better understand why it is important to consider and compare different treatment methods so that long-term treatment is beneficial to the ADHD individual. In this paper, two treatment methods for ADHD will be looked at and compared. These two methods are the use of medications and the use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies. The paper will focus on children/adolescents between the ages of 3 to 18 years of age and discuss which method of treatment that provides the most benefits for these individuals. Significance The topics discussed in this paper focus on how treatment assists ADHD-diagnosed individuals to live well-managed lives, the comparison of different treatment methods and which one is more beneficial, how cost can be a factor in care or management, and why ADHD is an important topic to be discussed.
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The question that this topic focuses on, notices that the management of ADHD symptoms can greatly affect a person’s, or a child’s, functionality in everyday life. If symptoms are not appropriately managed, problems can occur that affect the child’s abilities in school, in their social life, and in society (Meppelink, 2016; “Research,” 2016). Management of these symptoms early is important so that those diagnosed with ADHD, children or adult, can begin to learn how to better function in their daily lives without being hindered by their condition. Treatment for ADHD can consist of medication or the recommended behavioral therapies both of which can cost a significant amount (“Data & Statistics,” 2016). Comparing the two types of treatment can help individuals better understand which is more effective in the management of ADHD symptoms while considering if it is cost-effective for the healthcare system, the families of those with ADHD, and/or the individuals diagnosed (“Research,” 2016). Also, it is important to understand how those with ADHD function and affect a society through their behaviors. This fact should be considered because the number of individuals being diagnosed with ADHD is beginning to increase with time as we have begun to live longer and our population increases (“Research,” 2016). Background ADHD has been around for more than 200 years and is a condition that is not curable and therefore last the lifetime of those who are diagnosed (Efron, 2015; “Facts About ADHD, 2016). It is important to look at ADHD and treatment because the amount of children diagnosed with ADHD increased between 2003 and 2011 by 42% (Visser, 2014). Treatment has not changed in the past 50 years and still, today consists of a combination of medication and/or therapy (Efron, 2015; “Facts About ADHD, 2016). It is important to research and understand the different treatment methods to better recognize which treatment method works best. Treatment varies with each individual and age group but mainly consists of medications and/or non-pharmacological therapy (Efron, 2015; Subcommittee on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, 2011). Medications include the use of one or more of the following: stimulant, non-stimulants, and/or antidepressants (Pellow, 2011). Stimulants affect the brain by increasing the release of the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine which are important in the functions of thinking and attentiveness (“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” 2016). Non-stimulants still affect the ability to stay focused and attentive but take a longer time to work (“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” 2016). Antidepressants act as blockers to serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine which act in assisting a person with their mood (Pellow, 2011). Additionally, it is important to look at whether or not medications work the best in managing symptoms or if there are alternative treatments that would be better. The reason this is important …show more content…
The purpose of this paper is to compare the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies to the use of medication in the treatment of children/adolescents between the ages of 3 to 18 years of age diagnosed with ADHD and evaluate which provides better management of symptoms.
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The question that this topic focuses on, notices that the management of ADHD symptoms can greatly affect a person’s, or a child’s, functionality in everyday life. If symptoms are not appropriately managed, problems can occur that affect the child’s abilities in school, in their social life, and in society (Meppelink, 2016; “Research,” 2016). Management of these symptoms early is important so that those diagnosed with ADHD, children or adult, can begin to learn how to better function in their daily lives without being hindered by their condition. Treatment for ADHD can consist of medication or the recommended behavioral therapies both of which can cost a significant amount (“Data & Statistics,” 2016). Comparing the two types of treatment can help individuals better understand which is more effective in the management of ADHD symptoms while considering if it is cost-effective for the healthcare system, the families of those with ADHD, and/or the individuals diagnosed (“Research,” 2016). Also, it is important to understand how those with ADHD function and affect a society through their behaviors. This fact should be considered because the number of individuals being diagnosed with ADHD is beginning to increase with time as we have begun to live longer and our population increases (“Research,” 2016). Background ADHD has been around for more than 200 years and is a condition that is not curable and therefore last the lifetime of those who are diagnosed (Efron, 2015; “Facts About ADHD, 2016). It is important to look at ADHD and treatment because the amount of children diagnosed with ADHD increased between 2003 and 2011 by 42% (Visser, 2014). Treatment has not changed in the past 50 years and still, today consists of a combination of medication and/or therapy (Efron, 2015; “Facts About ADHD, 2016). It is important to research and understand the different treatment methods to better recognize which treatment method works best. Treatment varies with each individual and age group but mainly consists of medications and/or non-pharmacological therapy (Efron, 2015; Subcommittee on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, 2011). Medications include the use of one or more of the following: stimulant, non-stimulants, and/or antidepressants (Pellow, 2011). Stimulants affect the brain by increasing the release of the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine which are important in the functions of thinking and attentiveness (“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” 2016). Non-stimulants still affect the ability to stay focused and attentive but take a longer time to work (“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” 2016). Antidepressants act as blockers to serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine which act in assisting a person with their mood (Pellow, 2011). Additionally, it is important to look at whether or not medications work the best in managing symptoms or if there are alternative treatments that would be better. The reason this is important …show more content…
The purpose of this paper is to compare the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies to the use of medication in the treatment of children/adolescents between the ages of 3 to 18 years of age diagnosed with ADHD and evaluate which provides better management of symptoms.
Search