Drug Therapies

Treatments of ADHD can be broken down into roughly two categories: medication

and behavioral or cognitive-behavioral treatment with the individual

ADHD child, parents, or teachers. Traditional psychotherapy and play therapy

have not been found to be effective in the treatment of ADHD. Stimulant

medications have been used in the treatment of ADHD since 1937. The

most commonly prescribed stimulant medications are methylphenidate

(Ritalin), pemoline (Cylert), and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). Behavioral

improvements caused by stimulant medications include those in impulse

control and improved attending behavior. Overall, approximately 75

percent of ADHD children on stimulant medication show behavioral improvement,

and 25 percent show either no improvement or decreased behavioral

functioning. The findings related to academic performance are

mixed. It appears that stimulant medications can help the ADHD child with

school productivity and accuracy but not with overall academic achievement.

In addition, although ADHD children tend to show improvement

while they are on a stimulant medication, there are rarely any long-term

benefits to the use of such medications. In general, stimulant medication

can be seen as only a short-term management tool.

Antidepressant medications (such as imipramine and Prozac) have also

been used with ADHD children. These medications are sometimes used

when stimulant medication is not appropriate (for example, if the child has

motor or vocal tics). Antidepressant medications, like stimulant medications,

appear to provide only short-term improvement in ADHD symptoms.

Overall, the use or nonuse of medications in the treatment of ADHD should

be carefully evaluated by a qualified physician (such as a psychiatrist). If the

child is started on medication for ADHD, the safety and appropriateness of

the medication must be monitored continually throughout its use.