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Rebecca S. Blakeman, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
I very frequently have parents express their concerns...and sometimes their outright refusal..regarding
their child taking medication to treat ADHD symptoms. To be honest, I am pleased to hear parents express their concerns
and their strong desire to protect their children; that's what good parenting is all about. Unfortunately, however,
many of the concerns related to medication for ADHD are unfounded...and many of the beliefs about how ADHD can be treated
without medication are exaggerated or outright myths. I'd like to take some time to discuss some factors that parents
should consider when making the decision abut whether to treat their child's ADHD with medication.
First and foremost, it is critical to know that you really are
dealing with ADHD. It is not appropriate, or helpful, to place a child on stimulant medication if "attention"
problems are actually due to a language processing disorder; likewise, it can be quite harmful to treat "ADHD" symptoms
with medication if in fact those symptoms are really the result of anxiety. As always, I recommend a comprehensive evaluation,
rather than simply relying on parent and teacher questionnaires when diagnosing ADHD.
Secondly, it is important to know what research tells us about using, or not using, medication
to treat ADHD. The front line treatment for ADHD is medication, because medication
is in fact the best treatment. For many children, it is appropriate to combine medication with behavioral therapy to
address strategies for improving executive functioning skills (e.g., time management, remembering directions, organization,
etc.) and assisting with family conflict that can arise from ADHD related behaviors. However, the research indicates
that behavior therapy alone is not likely to be effective for managing ADHD, such that even if ADHD can be "managed"
behaviorally in kindergarten or 1st grade, it is likely that the time will eventually come in which medication becomes a necessity.
Research tells us that untreated ADHD is often associated with academic difficulties...many
children with ADHD get failing grades simply because they cannot remember to turn their work in, or their distraction prevents
them from completing their class work in time. These academic failures, as well as other "behavior" failures
can result in children developing a very negative view of themselves, and can even lead to depression and anxiety. Social
difficulties are often associated with untreated ADHD, as children with ADHD can be very disruptive and impulsive, such that
other children may find it difficult or unpleasant to play with them. These social difficulties further serve to hamper
a child's self-image. The continual experience of failure in academics, relationships and life in general raises
the likelihood of turning to drugs and/or alcohol for relief. Research has also demonstrated that untreated ADHD is
associated with a higher likelihood of automobile accidents...both for teenagers and adults. Finally, untreated ADHD
in adults is associated with problems within the workforce as well as marital conflict. Thirdly, it is important to know that there is no research to support other popular approaches to ADHD, such as diets
or vitamins. The most common myth about ADHD...that sugar causes hyperactivity...was disproved by research years ago,
yet the myth persists. While it is always beneficial to eat a healthy diet and get enough of the proper nutrients, we
do not have research that indicates making these changes has a significant impact on ADHD.
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