ADHD: Facts and Fiction

August 06, 2010, By 14 comments

ADHD: Facts and Fiction

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral developmental disorders diagnosed in children. According to research by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about 5 percent of children have ADHD, as do 2 million to 5 million adults. Nearly three times as many boys are diagnosed with ADHD as girls.The condition makes it difficult for the sufferer to focus on one task and adapt to a structured environment such as school or work. Attention deficit disorder is very common in infants, but generally gets better as the child ages. In children with ADHD, the inability to pay attention and control impulsive behaviors can continue well into adulthood.

A child with ADHD may exhibit the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty paying attention in class
  • Excessive daydreaming
  • Forgetfulness
  • Inability to remain seated
  • Fidgeting
  • Interrupts others frequently
  • Has trouble standing in line or taking turns
  • Acts or speaks impulsively.

Is ADHD Real?

The diagnosis and treatment of ADHD has been controversial since the 1970s. Many argue that ADHD is being used as a catch-all for any abnormal social behavior exhibited by children. Others argue that ADHD is a real neurological disorder, but that it is frequently over-diagnosed. Still others argue that it is the scapegoat for academic underperformance.

A review of 596 studies and medical articles published from 1996 to 2007 by the American Medical Association found that "research increasingly points to ADHD as a developmental disorder of probable neurogenetic origin in which environmental factors also play a role, albeit more limited." It does point out an alarming "overrepresentation of Caucasian males" in almost all data and diagnoses. The report also states that "stimulant medication offers the most effective treatment for reducing core symptoms. Although the FDA has recently taken actions to strengthen warnings on the product labeling for medications approved to treat ADHD, some disagreement continues about the risks of these medications."

Medication Controversy

The majority of the controversy surrounding ADHD stems from the extremely powerful medications prescribed to control it. No self-respecting parent would send their hyperactive child to the street corner to pick up a speed ball, crank, cocaine or crystal meth. Yet many of the medications prescribed vary little from these dangerous illegal street drugs. Understandably, this causes concern and controversy. However, some of these drugs can be beneficial in helping certain individuals to lead normal, productive lives and get better grades in school; others become victims of their addictive qualities. Whether the benefits outweigh the risks is a decision that should be reached by physician, parents and children.

The most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD are Ritalin (known on the street as "kiddie coke" because its effects can closely resemble those of cocaine), Dexedrine (similar to street methamphetamines, though slightly less potent and toxic), Adderall (72 percent Dexedrine, 28 percent mixed amphetamine salts, commonly referred to on the street as "beans," "uppers" and "speed") and Desoxyn (methamphetamine, commonly referred to as "meth").

Unfortunately, all of these drugs carry severe health risks, including death. Adderall is now the most abused prescription drug in America, with 20 to 30 percent of college students in the United States abusing the drug regularly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 million emergency room visits in 2008 resulted from prescription drug abuse. More people overdose on prescription drugs than on all illegal drugs combined, including heroin, PCP, meth, ecstasy, crack and cocaine.

Treatment

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the treatment of mental disorders in children such as depression and ADHD cost $8.9 billion in 2006 — more than any other health condition. Because of the high number of prescriptions written every year, many believe the medical profession is being coerced by drug companies to over-diagnose ADHD and other psychological conditions. However, despite numerous lawsuits alleging fraud and conspiracy, no drug company has been convicted. The U.S. and Canada consume 95 percent of the world's Ritalin, and nearly 80 percent of the world's prescription amphetamines and methamphetamines.

More and more treatments for ADHD are being released that are not based on amphetamines or methamphetamines. Treatments that help improve focus and academic performance in children diagnosed with ADHD are being implemented in school programs. Dietary and environmental factors that aggravate ADHD symptoms are being isolated.

Always talk with your physician and a psychiatrist before starting any ADHD treatment for your child. And, as always, seek out multiple opinions.

Comments (14):

Sharon G. Rachel Z. I'm not entirely sure of the factuality of the statement "Attention deficit disorder is very common in infants, but generally gets better as the child ages." But you have to figure that infants DO have ADHD. It's just not diagnosable. It is a brain disorder. You don't get over it. It may self repair, or regulate. You may discover coping mechanisms that hide it. But its there. If your 7 yr old has it, he had it as an infant. - 04/01/2011
Stacie S. wow, my son has adhd and he was failing classes left and right, and i was getting phone calls every other day from school on his behavior, we put him on vyvanse and stratterra and now he is aceing classes and teachers this year tell me you wouldnt expect him to be adhd at all. - 03/29/2011
Gail G. If your child has ADD or ADHD and you DON'T medicate then they will self medicate with the street drugs mentioned in this article. I have ADD and have been on adderall since 2001 and it saved my life. I used to pay a 3.00 copay but now thanks to generic versions that APPEAR to be the same, I pay hundreds per month. I could not keep my job without it. If you have diabetes, you poke yourself with insulin. If you have cancer you subject yourself with deadly radiation. Bottom line, You do what you need to do to survive and it's no one elses business, ADD may be overly diagnosed in children but it is certainly real and when you do find the right treatment there is nothing more satisfying. - 02/10/2011
Amy M. My son was prescribed Concerta 18mg after taking Adderall. As of this morning when i had a parent/teacher meeting for a 1 month update on my son, he had went from making C's, D's, & U's, to A B honor roll. I am glad I took him to get him put on the medication. I only wish I would have done it sooner. I did not realize how hard he was struggling in school and it was that simple to change it. - 02/04/2011
Amy M. My sons teacher thought he had ADHD w/ Inattentiveness. So, I took him to the psychiatrist and did their little survey and they put him on Concerta 18 mg. I just went this morning, as a matter of fact, and his grades from the first 6 weeks were, 1 C, 3 D's, and 2 F's. (If you wanna see for yourself I can email a copy of his grades) After they started him on Adderall , then; Concerta, his grades as of Feb. 4, 2011, were A-B honor roll.His teacher told me this morning my son is the first kid he has seen make that GREAT of a change after starting the medication. He said it was almost an overnight change. I believe most of the hype comes from the abuse of the drug. I am glad I started my son on the medication and only wish I would have done it sooner. - 02/04/2011
G T. Those prescription drugs are most definitely not comparable to crack in a meaningful way to a patient. Generally they can't be used recreationally in the form given to childrenm because they don't create anything like a "high". They don't cause people to drop dead of cardiac arrest. Emergency rooms aren't exactly full of kids who only took their morning ritalin. As someone who's taken several, they certainly aren't as addictive for me as a morning cup of coffee. When I'm off, it's actually the caffeine (which I use with a doctor's understanding) that's usually worst. The *point* of giving these medications is that they actually have a calming, relaxing effect on someone with adhd, when appropriately prescribed. That's not the effect those same drugs would have on the rest of you. It seems to me that you're simply trying to shock people to get more page hits, using sensationalist language implying that a kid on ritalin to be healthier is really comparable to someone smoking crack on the streets. Seriously, you basically said "it kills lots of babies". Science. It works. - 01/18/2011
Joe M. As an addult I can say that generic adderall has given me a new life. I was diagnosed at 30 (of course, I - and everyone else - knew I had it...) and it was amazing the relief that just the diagnosis had on my psyche. It's not my fault! Now the drug has allowed me to function (mostly) normally and I've actually held a job for five years! Get help if you need it. It's one of the best things to happen to my life (: - 12/17/2010
Len N. Sleep, diet, exercise. Nature's treatment program. You can always doctor shop until you find the answer you want. The only difference between street drug dealers and pharmacy companies is that one has a way better lobbying group. - 12/14/2010
Gabby L. "Always talk with your physician and a psychiatrist before starting any ADHD treatment for your child." ADHD meds can ONLY be obtained by a psychiatrist. Any parent bypassing that is sick themselves and should be subject to jail-time. - 12/01/2010
Gabby L. "Always talk with your physician and a psychiatrist before starting any ADHD treatment for your child." ADHD meds can ONLY be obtained by a psychiatrist. Any parent bypassing that is sick themselves and should subject to jail-time. - 12/01/2010
Herby S. "...including death". Aspiring risks include death. Every drug, if abused, implies a risk of death. Even water does. Writing such a comment for a drug like Ritalin, which has very low risks of serious complications, is completely misleading. The article seems to imply that ADHD is a made-up disorder. It has been proven beyond any shadow of a doubt that it is a real, physiological disorder. That's no longer open to argument. And for those kids seriously affected by ADHD (such as my son), Ritalin is the closest thing to a life saver. My kid would be a wasted kid, not able to attend a normal school, if his ADHD was untreated. Under medication, close monitoring and some counseling, he's top of his class in every subject. Ritalin can be abused, and ADHD can be overdiagnosed. But putting that at the center of an article about real ADHD (in particular under the tithe "Facts and Fiction") is silly. - 11/15/2010
R H. "Unfortunately, all of these drugs carry severe health risks, including death." Absurd. The risk of death for Adderall and similar drugs is tiny, and only associated with people who have pre-existing heart conditions. And that doesn't apply to all drugs. Your association with street drugs, and the mention of "prescription drug" abuse (not specifically mentioning which kind) is misleading and inflammatory, and of course, drug abuse has nothing to do with prescription drugs used properly by those who need them. Enough with the conspiracy theories about drug companies, etc. too. Mostly fiction. - 11/01/2010
Karen J. Reading some on ADHD...also read UltraMind Solution by Dr. Mark Hyman. It is a fascintating book with information that has helped my son with ADHD and other issues. Found a fabulous Dr. through www.functionalmedicine.org and have gotten us all on supplements. My take aways.... *ADHD is not an Adderall or Ritalin deficiency. *Autism can also be helped with nutrition and supplements. *If your parents have Alzheimer's, you should have a blood test to measure your Homocysteine levels (if they are high, there are supplements that can break it down and significantly reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer's). It is amazing how different my son is on the supplements! Even he notices (and he is 13)...he says "When I don't take my supplements, I get angry." We did testing to find out about food allergies. The thumbnail sketch is that if you are eating food that you are allergic to, your gut is inflamed. Your blood get nutrients from your gut, so your blood is inflamed too. Your brain is fed by your blood, so your brain is inflamed, too. Hope you can find useful tools in this book, too. - 10/01/2010
Rachel Z. "Attention deficit disorder is very common in infants, but generally gets better as the child ages." Are you kidding?? No such thing as attention deficit disorder in infants. The rest of the article contains some interesting information, but I can't get past that line. Check your facts. http://mamasoncall.com - 09/29/2010

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