ADHD students challenged during pandemic

According to ASAPScience, those diagnosed with ADHD have fewer dopamine receptors, so they can be easily bored and lack the ability to be entertained by activities that most individuals enjoy. The cause of ADHD is unclear, but studies have shown that those with ADHD have weaker brain activation in the frontal area of the brain when responding to tasks that require focus. Experts believe this is caused by an imbalance in some neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine.

ADHD is mostly genetic. Children with a parent or sibling that have ADHD are two to eight times more likely to develop it. ADHD is an extremely rare disorder, affecting only 6.4 million children in America, according to Intermountain Healthcare. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine also states that the condition affects 4.7% of American adults. “Kids diagnosed with ADHD mostly grow out of it as they enter adulthood, but research shows that about 29 percent of these kids show symptoms as adults,” Director of Behavioral Health Services at Intermountain LDS Hospital, Adam Hornung stated.

There are medications to help with ADHD. According to The Understood Team, the two main categories of ADHD medication are stimulants and non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most commonly used form of medication for ADHD and it is used to increase dopamine levels, control movements, and emotional responses. Stimulants work by increasing dopamine levels, which are responsible for the level of motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement of an individual according to HelpGuide.

There are two types of stimulants and they are methylphenidate and amphetamine. Some stimulants are shorter acting, which means that they have to be taken a couple times a day. Some are longer acting and only have to be taken once a day. The other form of medication, non-stimulants, are used when the patient doesn’t respond to stimulants or experience side effects because of it. According to HelpGuide, there are other methods to help reduce the symptoms of ADHD without using medications such as exercising daily, eating a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, therapy, and maintaining a positive attitude. The benefits of taking ADHD medication are being less hyperactive, less impulsive, more focused, and less distracted.

There are side effects that come with taking medication and they include sleeping troubles, decreased appetite, delayed growth, headaches, stomachaches, tics, irritability, and mood changes. The monthly cost for methylphenidate, a medicine that has a long history of being safe and effective, ranges from $15 to $197 a month, depending on the strength of the medicine, according to ConsumerHealthReports.

“Having ADHD is a real pain in the butt,” said an anonymous David Douglas freshman. “It makes it impossible for me to sit still when I’m doing my homework, and I get distracted by the least important things when I’m working. But, I don’t want to take medications due to how expensive it is and the side effects that come with it.”

How can students with ADHD excel in school without the use of medications?

“Teach your own brain to figure out how you learn and compensate for distractions,” said David Douglas social worker Caty Buckley. “People with ADHD need to take frequent breaks to avoid being barraged with a heavy load of information.”

ADHD students can set a timer for homework to take short breaks. A break could be as simple as getting up from the seat and stretching. The breaks must be short. In addition, fidgeting with an item can also increase focus. Buckley also pointed out that students with ADHD are usually messy, so being organized, setting reminders, and establishing good routines help.