Avoiding Side Effects Caused by Treatments for ADHD
 Many Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder sufferers seek treatments for ADHD in order to gain control of their lives. Treatments ADHD suffers take may decrease symptoms such as lacking focus, impulsiveness, and the inability to follow directions, and while these medications can be beneficial, there is still the possibility of side effects.
The side effects that commonly affect children using treatments for ADHD include:
- Upset stomach and appetite issues – you may be able to prevent your child from having stomach aches by giving them their medication with food. You may also decrease the odds of side effects by feeding them foods high in protein. If your child has lost their appetite, try changing your dinner time to later in the evening to allow the medication to wear off.
- Headaches – Treatments ADHD sufferers use are best taken with food in their stomach. If you haven’t eaten, your body can absorb the ADHD medication quicker and cause blood pressure levels to rise quicker, leading to a headache.
- Difficulty sleeping – Insomnia is a common symptom for children with ADHD. Some get insomnia when their stimulant wears off, while others may become more hyperactive when the stimulant is taken. It is best to designate a consistent bed time ritual for your children so they are allowed to calm down and get their needed rest. Avoid sleep medications and caffeinated drinks before bedtime as well.
- Tics – Some children will begin to have involuntary movements such as sniffing, blinking, shrugging, excessive eye blinking, or throat clearing. One in three boys and one in six girls develop tics when they’re on or off treatments for ADHD. Speak to your physician about possibly changing your child’s medication.
Other side effects that may affect your children are growth problems, moodiness, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and more. If you are experiencing any side effects from your ADHD drugs, consult your physician immediately.
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