Possible Side Effects Of Using Neuroleptic Drugs To Treat ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or more commonly known as ADHD has become a very familiar disorder. We hear about it on the news, read about it in magazines and most of us have personal experience either by having a child or knowing someone with a child that had this disorder.

The most common symptoms of ADHD are inattention and hyperactivity. Although all children experience this is a much more extreme case. The most common way to treat this is by medication prescribed by a doctor. Recent medical establishments have come under fire for treating children with medication and not trying therapy.

Medications are often beneficial in dealing with this condition. Using therapy alone or therapy with short term medical benefits may have greater advantages in getting a handle on the disorder. Many health experts also fear that since children are s till developing mentally and physically there are added health risks with using many types of medication. Medication may solve a short term problem but may cause long term side effects.

Neuroleptic Medications
Physcotropic medications are becoming more common in the treatment of people with emotional and behavioral disorders. One such range of drugs is in the field of neuroleptic prescriptions. This is a type of an anti-psychotic drug given to patients who suffer from psychotic disorders. For severe cases of ADHD, especially when combined with other emotional or behavioral disorders , doctors may try different medications over time, including neuroleptic prescriptions. Many of these drugs have very serious side effects. There is a chance that the child come develop severe neurological complications that will affect them throughout their life. Before letting you’re the doctor prescribe this type of treatment parents need to weigh the pros and cons. Parents should consult with a doctor and their child psychiatrist to see if this is actually the best fit for them.

Tardive Dyskinesia is just one disorder than can develop as a result neuroleptic drugs. The side effects include:

• Sticking out the tongue
• Face grimacing
• Repetitive chewing
• Smacking puckering or pursing lips
• Jaw swinging
• Rapid movements in the arms, legs, and fingers

Some of these symptoms may resemble those associated with ADHD so many not be realized as a side effect of the medication for some time. These side effects may stop when the patient stops taking the medication but unfortunately the symptoms may be permanent.

The goal should be to take the medication at the lowest possible dosage for the shortest amount of time.