ADHD, also known as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is present in about 5% of the world's population. The condition is mainly observed in children, though symptoms can continue on into adulthood. It is considered by many prominent authorities to be a chronic condition and one that requires treatment early on, if children are ever to learn coping mechanisms when they reach adulthood.
One common misconception is that ADHD medication should be prescribed in order to cure ADHD. Not only is there no cure for ADHD-medication should never be prescribed to merely control the symptoms of the disorder. Instead, medication, if necessary, should be combined with ADHD therapy, as well as significant lifestyle changes, behavior modifications, dieting changes and family or professional counseling. Medication is not the treatment-rather, it can help stimulate a person to respond to other forms of treatment. Hence, you will be administering several forms of ADHD treatment during this process.
What results has ADHD therapy seen? Results differ widely. One study, reported on in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, stated that family therapy on its own had no significant improvement in altering a child's ADHD symptoms. Other studies have suggested that psychosocial ADHD therapy has proven helpful for co morbid disorders. ADHD therapy for parents has actually proven to be quite helpful, as this special treatment ensures that parents understand the condition and how to institute new lifestyle and or dieting changes for the child's benefit.
The Benefit of ADHD Therapy
ADHD therapy may also be known as psychotherapy. This is a form of counseling that is much stronger and more professional than just family ADHD therapy. A professional will have a specific goal or set of goals in mind when dealing with a young patient. He or she will attempt to help the child like to accept himself despite the disorder. Professional ADHD therapy is not supposed to confront the child about symptoms or underlying causes; rather, it is with the intent to explore upsetting thoughts and feelings and address self-defeating patterns of behavior. A therapist wants to teach the child alternative ways to handle the negative emotions, perhaps even help the child finds ways of coping that he can carry with him to adulthood.
What are some examples of exercises that might help with ADHD therapy? It may involve instituting better organization in family tasks or schoolwork. It might also involve teaching a child new ways to approach emotionally charged events. Obviously, a child relies on a strong support system with praise or rewards for acting in a desired way. Not only would the therapist aim to monitor the child's progress; he or she may even encourage the child to self-monitor his decisions.
Of course, social skills are a very important factor in ADHD. Therefore, if a child were lacking in social skills, a therapist would concentrate on helping him to learn new behaviors. The therapist may focus on teaching very basic core beliefs involved in creating and maintaining relationships, such as waiting for one's turn, sharing things, asking for help, responding to teasing and so on. The child is given a chance to practice these social responses. The child might also be taught to read other people's facial expressions and take note of their tone of voice.
This is the major difference between family counseling and ADHD therapy. Since family counseling is presided over by non-skilled family members, communication may center on diagnosis of the problem or the symptoms, rather than on practical, textbook solutions. If parents are deeply concerned about enhancing familial communication or if they cannot afford professional therapy, they may try attending parenting skills training classes so that they can better understand progressive treatment for ADHD.
Is There an ADHD Alternative Therapy?
Yes, there is, - there are many actually, and an alternative ADHD medication should actually be the first choice when considering ADHD medications, as it is effective in reducing and healing the symptoms, and are free from unwanted side effects.
by Einar Eskeland
