Introduction
In my previous article, I discussed in detail the connection between a dual diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a Mood Disorder in children. In this article, I will expand upon this topic. In this article, I will discuss what types of medication are used to treat a dual diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a Mood Disorder in children.
What Is The More Prominent Diagnosis To Prescribe Medication For?
What types of medication are used to treat a dual diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a Mood Disorder in children? To answer this question, various types of medication can be used. According to healthychildren.org, “Medication management approaches, as with ADHD and other coexisting conditions, include treating the most disabling condition first.” Therefore, on a further note, if a child’s prominent diagnosis is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder will be prescribed before medication for a Mood Disorder is prescribed. Therefore, in reverse, if a child’s prominent diagnosis is a Mood Disorder, medication for a Mood Disorder will be prescribed before medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is prescribed.
What Types Of Medication Are Prescribed For A Dual Diagnosis Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder And A Mood Disorder In Children?
What medications are used to treat a dual diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a Mood Disorder in children? According to healthychildren.org, the following can be stated:
If your child’s ADHD-related symptoms are causing most of her functioning problems, or the signs of depression are not completely clear, your child’s pediatrician is likely to start with stimulant medication to treat the ADHD. In cases when the depressive symptoms turn out to stem from poor functioning due to ADHD and not to a depressive disorder, they may diminish as the ADHD symptoms improve. If the ADHD and depressive symptoms improve, your child’s pediatrician will probably maintain stimulant treatment alone. If her ADHD symptoms improve but her depression remains the same, even after a reasonable trial of the type of broad psychotherapeutic approach described previously, her pediatrician may add another medication, most commonly an SSRI—a class of medications including Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, and Celexa. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can make the symptoms of bipolar disorder worse, so a careful evaluation must be completed before starting medication. If this approach is unsuccessful, you may be referred to a developmental/behavioral pediatrician or a psychiatrist, who may try other classes of medications.
Therefore, the type of medication prescribed varies based on the specific pathology of the case.
Conclusion
To conclude this article, medication prescribed for a dual diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and a Mood Disorder in children will be prescribed based on the prominent diagnosis. Consult with a doctor you trust to help make this decision for your children.