| Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is | | | | neurological complications that may affect them for |
| one of the most widely studied and diagnosed | | | | the rest of their lives. Parents should carefully weigh |
| conditions of today. ADHD is commonly diagnosed in | | | | all options and discuss the advantages and |
| hyperactive children (and more recently, adults) who | | | | disadvantages of these drugs with their child's |
| have problems focusing, sitting still, or staying calm | | | | psychiatrist before agreeing on treatment. |
| during social situations. These children often have | | | | One serious disorder that can develop as a side |
| trouble in school and have difficulties forming social | | | | effect from neuroleptic medicines is called tardive |
| relationships with their peers. Medical experts often | | | | dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia results in involuntary, |
| prescribe prescription drugs in order to help these | | | | repetitive movements, including: |
| children settle down and focus. However, increasing | | | | - Face grimacing |
| criticism in recent years has focused on the high | | | | - Sticking out the tongue |
| percentage of young children taking prescription | | | | - Rapid blinking of the eyes |
| medications for the disorder when other types of | | | | - Smacking, puckering, or pursing lips. |
| treatment, such as therapy, might have similar results. | | | | - Repetitive chewing |
| While medications for ADHD are often beneficial for | | | | - Jaw swinging |
| helping people deal with their condition, often a | | | | - Rapid movements in the arms, legs, and fingers |
| short-term medication plan combined with therapy, or | | | | Symptoms may be subtle or resemble those |
| therapy alone, can help those who suffer from this | | | | associated with ADHD. For this reason, a person may |
| disorder. Some health experts warn that, since | | | | not even realize that they are experiencing |
| children are still developing mentally and physically, | | | | complications due to their medication. |
| there are health risks that can arise with many types | | | | Symptoms of tardive dyskinesia may cease if a |
| of medication. While medications for ADD or ADHD | | | | patient stops taking the medication. However, the |
| may provide immediate relief from the condition, | | | | condition is often permanent, and even stopping drug |
| there exist some long-term health risks that parents | | | | treatment may not cure the condition. The best way |
| should take into consideration. | | | | to prevent tardive dyskinesia from occurring is to |
| Neuroleptic Medications | | | | only use neuroleptics at the lowest effective dose |
| A neuroleptic medicine is an anti-psychotic drug | | | | level for the shortest possible amount of time. |
| prescribed to patients who suffer from psychotic | | | | Anyone considering treatment with neuroleptics |
| disorders. For severe cases of ADHD, especially when | | | | should think hard about whether the benefits from |
| combined with other disorders, doctors may | | | | the medications will outweigh the risk of devastating |
| prescribe a variety of medications over time, including | | | | side effects. |
| neuroleptic medications. These medications are | | | | To learn more about tardive dyskinesia and other |
| known to cause serious side effects in some | | | | neurological disorders caused by prescription |
| patients. Children who have been prescribed these | | | | medications, visit the website of the Reglan child |
| medications are at risk for developing serious | | | | injury lawyers of Williams Kherkher. |