Medication and psychological treatment should both play a role in treating people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the Mental Health Commission says. Commission chairman Dr Peter McGeorge said ADHD treatment should be comprehensive, which meant acknowledging the vital role medication had to play.

"The call for guidelines to include a broad emphasis on treatment strategies needs to also acknowledge that there is a risk that the benefits of medication may be under-emphasised with the result that some parents may seek to discontinue medication which is vital for their children with ADHD," the psychiatrist, who treats people of all ages, said. The importance of personalised medicine and integrated care was being increasingly recognised, he said.

"This takes into account the wide variety of factors influencing recovery from mental illness including psychological treatments, community support and social inclusion. "

"The commission strongly supports these contemporary approaches to care and prevention of mental illness."
However, holistic comprehensive care should include a variety of evidence based approaches, including medication, Dr McGeorge said.
Psychological treatments were important, particularly to help deal with behavioural problem, but medication could improve problems with attention and help patients engage in such treatment, he said.

Credit:NZPA