Commentary on ADHD and the Zombie Phenomenon

Commentary on ADHD, the Zombie Phenomenon and Medication and Alternatives Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder usually diagnosed in early childhood that lasts into adulthood. The Zombie Phenomenon is a relevant issue. Medication and therapy serve as options for improvement when parents and caregivers are involved in treatment preferences. According to Douglas(2016), "The consequences of ADHD can seriously impact the quality of life, affecting the child's social behavior and health and affecting family relationships." Since major medical complications coexist with individuals diagnosed with ADHD, medical professionals explore different medications and behavior therapy options. Children diagnosed with ADHD are offered multiple medications due to their symptoms, effects, and treatment alternatives. To start, there are various treatment options for individuals diagnosed with ADHD that are comprehensive and vast. Medication is an essential part of ADHD treatment. Medications may not work for all ADHD symptoms or affect everyone the same way. Doctors prescribe stimulants that are approved for use in children over the age of three, which are taken along with an antidepressant to control mental health issues or other conditions and a stimulant for ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medications are Ritalin, Dexedrine, Evekeo, and Adderall. Adzenys have similar side effects and can contribute to the zombie phenomenon. According to Brown RT et al. (2005), theirs is an "increase in the use of ADHD drugs observed in many studies worldwide." These medications are compared to cocaine because of the shared stimulations in euphoria and chemical dependency. (May & Kratochvil, 2012) emphasize that "recent developments and ongoing study of additional potential pharmacological interventions may lead to future treatment options for children with ADHD. According to the CDC (2020), "Between 70-80% of children with ADHD have fewer ADHD symptoms when taking these fast- acting medications. And non-stimulants were approved for the treatment of ADHD in 2003. They do not work as quickly as stimulants, but their effect can last up to 24 hours." Studies that the CDC have conducted show that "for children six years of age and older, the recommendations include medication and behavior therapy together — parent training in behavior management for children up to age 12 and other types of behavior therapy and training for adolescents. However, these drugs help treat ADHD symptoms, and their side effects interrupt concentration when the dosage is too high. It causes children and adults to seem "spacey" or "zombie-like." Children can also experience a condition known as emotional lability that is referred to as rapid, often exaggerated changes in mood, where strong emotions or feelings (uncontrollable laughing or crying, or heightened irritability or temper) occur along with loss of appetite, sleeplessness, headaches and stomachs, involuntary movements (ticks), anxiety, and depression. These side effects can be corrected by adjusting the dosage or trying a new medication. These medications, atomoxetine, guanfacine, and clonidine, are non-stimulants drugs that can be alternative treatments for ADHD. Buproprion is a third-line agent because the FDA has not approved it for treating ADHD. These non-stimulants act as an agonist for adrenergic receptors. They act together with the prefrontal cortex and activate norepinephrine autoreceptors in the central nervous system. Furthermore, those who suffer from ADHD experience behavioral problems. Such as a limitation in motor skills, attention defect, learning disability, aggression, educational issues, and hyper. These behaviors can present a problem for parents and children, and educators since they affect their development. The first option doctors usually recommend behavior training for parents that assist with the tantrums and helps strategize in the discipline, therapy with the children, and classroom and peer interventions. Parents learn to use praise effectively, encourage the behaviors they want to promote, and use consistent consequences when kids do not comply with organization skills. The CDC (2020) states that developing a healthy diet and lifestyle can help with managing ADHD symptoms, reducing time on electronics, getting enough sleep, and being physically active. To finalize, many parents are concerned about giving their children medication due to the zombie phenomenon. Because of this, parents are skeptical that giving their children medication will further complicate their lives since studies have shown the possibility of becoming addicted to their medications. Studies suggest that behavioral therapy is an effective way to manage symptoms of ADHD in children, teenagers, and adults. It is a significant component to helping individuals work out their emotions and express them in a contributory manner to them and others as another holistic alternative to manage symptoms for those who have not been responsive to medication. Managing the side effects of stimulant medication can be controlled by adjusting the dosage and monitoring. Research is being further developed for the continual success of medicine and its effects on children and adults to improve diagnosis and information distribution methods. It is recommended that treatment be a combination of medicine and therapy.