Treating ADHD

Goal

To learn about ADHD treatments.

Types of Treatment (Hinshaw & Scheffler, pp. 40; 46-47; 55)

The two best-established treatments for ADHD are medications, particularly stimulants, and behavioral interventions, which aim to provide regular rewards and incentives to motivate improved performance and decrease disruptive behavior. Both types of treatment promote self-regulation. Medications alter neurotransmitter levels in the brain, thereby decreasing impulsivity and enhancing motivation. It can take several tries to determine the right dosage and type of medication, and regular monitoring of the medication is recommended. Common side effects of stimulants include sleep problems, decreased appetite, and slight increase in blood pressure. Some side effects may be avoided by adjusting the timing or dose of the medication. Here’s the following video that talks about how stimulants affect your brain:

Behavioral interventions focus on changing behaviors andare based on the fact that individuals with ADHD don’t experience the same kinds of intrinsic motivation for completing tasks and performing well academically compared to others. Put another way, perhaps people with ADHD aren’t “wired” for intrinsic motivation. Thus, regular, consistently delivered rewards (and punishments) are needed to motivate peak performance. For kids, social skills groups that focus on social competencies (e.g., cooperation, teamwork, sportsmanship) may also be beneficial. For adults, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy has real benefits in that the individual learns to problem solve, self-monitor, and self-reward their own performance. Learn more about behavioral interventions by watching the following video: