How to Treat ADHD

Symptoms of ADHD, like short attention spans and the inability to focus, are becoming more prevalent in our society among children and adults. With the increase in ADHD diagnoses, it's important to understand how to treat it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Physician

Treat ADHD

1. Talk to you doctor about finding an ADHD medicine that is right for you. Some of the most common medicines, like Adderall and Ritalin, will create side effects for some people.
2. Tell your doctor if you have sleeping problems. Recent studies published in "Pediatrics" magazine found that children who have chronic sleep deprivation will experience ADHD symptoms. Problems with a person's tonsils are one of the most common causes of sleep deprivation. Having them removed may help your ADHD.
3. Consider taking a zinc supplement. This element has been linked to controlling dopamine signaling, one of the causes of ADHD. Zinc supplements are inexpensive and available without a prescription, but check with your doctor before taking them.
4. Look into pine bark supplements. These supplements are available under the chemical name Pycnogenol. Pine bark supplements are believed to increase a person's attention span. Ask your doctor about where to buy these supplements because they are not yet widely available.
5. Take a fish oil pill. These pills are available without a prescription and are affordable for people on a tight budget. Fish oil has been used as a supplement to treat attention and concentration problems for many years.

Tips & Warnings

• Shop around at different stores for supplements. If you do some simple price comparisons, you will likely save some money.
• Talk to your health insurance provider about the costs of ADHD medication. It is often very expensive, but your insurance might cover some or all of it.
• If you are taking medication for your ADHD, be sure you are following your doctor's orders.
• If you have a child that is taking ADHD medication, be sure that you are controlling his dosage. There is a growing trend among high school and college students to sell their ADHD medicine to friends. Students will then take the medication to help them stay up all night and study.
• If you think you are experiencing side effects like insomnia or anxiety due to your medication, see your doctor immediately.
• Zinc supplements may cause nausea in some people.
• Fish oil has a variety of side effects. The most common one is smelly fish breath. Be sure not to take these supplements if you have any allergies to fish or shellfish.