What are the Treatments for Attention Deficit Disorder?

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) affects approximately five percent of children, and the disorder persists into adulthood for approximately 50 percent of the children who have it. ADD can interfere with personal relationships, employment, and the ability to focus on projects or hobbies. Treatments for attention deficit disorder include medication, behavioral therapy, and life coaching.

Stimulant medications, such as Ritalin®, designed to reduce impulsiveness and increase focusing ability, have been approved for ADD treatment since the 1960s. More recently, several non-stimulant medications, including Strattera®, were also approved as treatments for attention deficit disorder. The medications can be taken every day, though some people opt to take them only on days they need to focus on work or school and not take them during their days off. Charting symptoms, taking medical histories, and ruling out other causes for the problem are some of the methods used to diagnose the disorder. Once a diagnosis is made, a doctor can write a prescription for attention deficit disorder medication.

Reported side effects with stimulant medications include a loss of appetite, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and weight loss. These side effects are usually temporary. If they persist, they can typically be reduced through dosage adjustments.

Behavioral therapy is often used in conjunction with medication or as a stand-alone treatment for attention deficit disorder. The therapy targets self-monitoring skills and helps move the client toward better self-regulation by teaching him or her how to recognize ADD behaviors and eliminate them when they occur. Such therapy might also include working on self-esteem issues that arise from the consequences of having the disorder and its impact on the client's life.

Hiring an ADD coach is sometimes included in the treatments for attention deficit disorder. It can help work on the tangible issues that come with having attention deficit disorder. An ADD coach helps clients define goals and design individual steps to achieve those goals. In addition, the coach serves as someone to hold the client accountable on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis, which helps the client stay focused and on track.

Meditation has been shown to reduce symptoms of ADD. Research indicates the reduction of a person's stress level through the use of meditation helps with focusing and attentiveness, two things needed to function effectively. Choosing the proper combination of treatments for attention deficit disorder can help a person with ADD achieve his or her full life potential.