Medication Assistant Training

Module 7 ADHD and ADD Emotional/ Behavioral/Psychosocial

Disorders

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is a developmental disorder affecting the behavior, attention and learning of children.

Symptoms include: distraction trouble concentrating impulsive and acting-out behavior.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Many students diagnosed with ADHD have difficulty staying seated and may be fidgety.

Others may sit quietly, daydream, and appear “spaced out”.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The medications commonly used for ADHD are: Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulants:

Methylphenidate (Ritalin). Pemoline (Cylert). Dextroamphetamine Sulfate (Dexedrine). Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall)

Antidepressants: Amitriptyline pamoate (Elavil). Bupropion hydrochloride (Wellbutrin)

Common side effects of the medications used to treat ADHD include: loss of appetite; insomnia; headache; nausea;

abdominal discomfort, and nervousness.

Non-Stimulant Medication for ADHD

Strattera Possible side-effects: The most common side effects were upset

stomach, decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, and mood swings.

Most children in clinical studies who experienced side effects were not bothered enough to stop using Strattera.

Behavioral/Emotional/Psychosocial Disorders

Students may manifest these disorders by a number of signs and symptoms.

Depression symptoms Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness Loneliness, isolation or withdrawal Feelings of sadness Self-deprecatory statements Suicidal ideas, expressions or attempts.

Behavioral/Emotional/Psychosocial Disorders

Anxiety disorders Panicky and cannot be calmed down. Repetitious behaviors.

Psychotic disorders: Paranoid. Hearing voices. Hallucinations. Delusions. Withdrawal.

Behavioral/ Emotional/Psychosocial Disorders

Medications commonly used are: Antidepressants:

Amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil) Bupropion hydrochloride (Wellbutrin). Clomipramine hydrochloride (Anafranil). Desipramine hydrochloride (Pertofran). Fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac). Imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil). Paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil). Phenelzine sulfate (Nardil). Sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft). Tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate).

Behavioral/ Emotional/Psychosocial Disorders

Antianxiety agents: Buspirone hydrochloride (BuSpar). Diazepam (Valium). Oxazepam (Serax). Chlordiazepoxide (Librium). Lorazepam (Ativan). Flurazepam (Dalmane). Alprazolam (Xanax).

Antipsychotic agents: Thioridazine (Mellaril). Trifluoperazine (Stelazine). Prochlorperazine (Compazine). Chlorprothixene (Tractan). Pimozide (Orap). Haloperidol (Haldol). Lithium carbonate (Eskalith, Lithonate, Lithobid).

Common side effect of these medications used in managing behavioral/emotional/psychosocial disorders include: nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; tremors; malaise (out of

sorts feeling); “spaced out”; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; sedation; and seizures.

Behavioral/ Emotional/Psychosocial Disorders

Test Your Knowledge!

Now you may proceed to the next module.

Information from curriculum developed by the Alabama Board of Nursing and the Alabama Department of Education.