{"id":47356,"date":"2017-10-13T12:05:45","date_gmt":"2017-10-13T12:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=47356"},"modified":"2017-10-13T12:05:45","modified_gmt":"2017-10-13T12:05:45","slug":"how-to-raise-an-adhd-child-when-parents-have-differing-views-about-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/health\/how-to-raise-an-adhd-child-when-parents-have-differing-views-about-treatment.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Raise an ADHD Child When Parents Have Differing Views About Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Raise an ADHD Child When Parents Have Differing Views About Treatment<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

How to Raise an ADHD Child When Parents Have Differing Views About Treatment:- When a child is diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, parents may have differing views about how to treat symptoms. For example, one parent may insist that ADHD medication be used, while the other parent prefers exploring a more holistic approach, which often involves an emphasis on treatments such as behavioral therapy or having the child exercise more. When parents’ thoughts about ways to treat a child with ADHD drastically differ, challenges can arise.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then what?<\/span><\/p>\n

First of all, know that it\u2019s common for parents to have a departure in ideas regarding what ADHD treatment methods are ideal for children. Not everyone agrees on the same things all of the time \u2013 and it\u2019s sometimes no different when parents try to determine the best course of action to help their child manage ADHD symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I see the most in these instances is one parent who wants the child on medication, while the other says, \u2018absolutely not,\u2019\u201d says Barbara Greenberg, a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Connecticut who specializes in parenting and relationship issues and is the co-author of \u201cTeenage as a Second Language: A Parent’s Guide to Becoming Bilingual.\u201d She says that the parent who doesn\u2019t want a child on medication often expresses concern that the child will become dependent on it, a feeling Greenberg says may be reduced by becoming more informed about how ADHD medications work. \u201cEducation, education and more education,\u201d she says, reinforcing the need to remain in the know about ADHD or any issue concerning a child.<\/span><\/p>\n

Greenberg says that ADHD medication tends to be a \u201chot button\u201d for parents because of the stigma often associated with mental health issues. \u201cMany times, by giving children medication, a parent then feels like it\u2019s an admission that something\u2019s wrong with their child,\u201d she says. \u201cThere\u2019s still a stigma associated with mental health \u2013 it\u2019s alive and well.\u201d Parents may feel a certain amount of guilt or shame about a child having a problem, she explains, which may play a role in the hesitancy surrounding medication use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Parental Disagreements Can Be Problematic<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, Susie Raskin, a licensed mental health counselor with the Teen Xpress program at the Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families \u2013 a part of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida \u2013 says that varying opinions about treatment options don\u2019t just pertain to parents who have a child with ADHD. \u201cDisagreements can happen with any childhood diagnosis or illness,\u201d she says. However, she adds that having ADHD can amplify tensions in the family when differing views about treatment do arise; \u201cit can already be stressful when a family member has ADHD,\u201d she says. Parents who voice conflicting preferences in the presence of kids may increase this stress. Greenberg agrees. \u201cWhen a child hears parents arguing, he or she may feel as though something is terribly wrong,\u201d she says. \u201cChildren with ADHD need more consistency. Without that, symptoms are very likely to become more exacerbated, and kids could become more distressed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

To avoid adding more stress to the environment, Raskin suggests parents have conversations about their differing treatment views away from their children. This also includes children who may not have ADHD, she explains, saying that most kids in general can pick up on \u2013 and be easily affected by \u2013 conflict. \u201cParents should find ways to minimize or fully remove the kid from these types of conversations so they don\u2019t absorb tension,\u201d she explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

This doesn\u2019t just pertain to household interactions either. Even in counseling environments, Greenberg says it\u2019s important to exercise caution regarding what topics are discussed when children are around. Of course, having the child present for assessing a potential ADHD diagnosis is one thing, she says, but it\u2019s not appropriate to have a child present when parents discuss their differing opinions about treatment methods with a professional. \u201cI don\u2019t think children should be there when parents express disagreement,\u201d she says. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing beneficial for children when they see parents argue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, parents shouldn\u2019t go to extremes to keep their differing viewpoints out of the picture. Greenberg says she\u2019s observed parents who secretly put a child on medication, telling the child not to tell the other parent. \u201cHaving secrets creates anxiety and makes the child feel like they\u2019re doing something wrong,\u201d she says. \u201cThat\u2019s not a good way to go.\u201d Both parents need to be equally informed and involved, she explains. This includes interaction in the household as well as during visits with a professional. Greenberg says that in the case of speaking with a professional, both parents should be present because that way, everyone can compare notes and ask questions to ensure that everything was heard and understood accurately.<\/span><\/p>\n

Raskin says a good starting point for parents to try to come to terms with differences is to focus on the positive, which includes examining areas where similar viewpoints exist. She explains that it\u2019s often easy for parents to become so wrapped up in the issue that they overlook what they may already agree upon. \u201cIt\u2019s important for parents to celebrate when they\u2019re on the same page,\u201d she says, noting that parents should even acknowledge the commonality of wanting what\u2019s best for a child.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acknowledge Differences, Explore Various Treatment Options<\/span><\/p>\n

Next comes having an open and respectful conversation about the differences that exist, Raskin says, taking the time to recognize what these differing views entail, from parenting styles to medication disagreements. Then, once parents know the main differences, they still \u201cneed to remain a unified force,\u201d she adds, suggesting that they reach out to the community \u2013 including pediatricians, teachers, counselors or mental health experts \u2013 to obtain feedback. This also includes friends and family, Raskin says. \u201cIf they know someone has experienced a similar situation and can find out what was done to improve it, it may be helpful,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

After going through these steps without ending up on the same page, Raskin encourages parents to \u201cstart with the least restrictive course of treatment possible.\u201d This allows the child to get started with symptom management instead of waiting while parents continue to sort through their opinions on the topic. Starting with behavior management and implementing strategies at home, such as dietary changes and increasing physical activity, are good places to start, she explains. \u201cTry one approach and if that doesn\u2019t work, start integrating treatments,\u201d Greenberg adds. For example, she says parents may want their child to work with a holistic doctor, consider dietary changes and take medication.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

One thing parents should not sweep under the rug is speaking with another expert for a second opinion, Greenberg says. \u201cIf they leave a provider\u2019s office and are unsure about what was discussed, they should go for another opinion,\u201d she says. People don\u2019t hesitate to do this when serious physical challenges arise such as cancer treatment or a surgery, she explains, saying that it shouldn\u2019t be any different for parents looking into ADHD treatments for their child.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-\u00a0https:\/\/health.usnews.com\/health-care\/patient-advice\/articles\/2017-10-11\/how-to-raise-an-adhd-child-when-parents-have-differing-views-about-treatment<\/span><\/p>\n

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