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Children and ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder of childhood, estimated to affect 3 to 5 percent of school-aged children. Research shows that ADHD tends to run in families. Its core symptoms include developmentally inappropriate levels of attention, concentration, activity, distractibility, and impulsivity. Children with ADHD usually have impaired functioning in peer relationships and multiple settings including home and school. ADHD has also been shown to have long-term adverse effects on academic performance, vocational success, and social-emotional development.

Psychostimulant medications, including methylphenidate (Ritalin®), amphetamine (Dexedrine ® and Adderall ®), and pemoline (Cylert ®), are by far the most widely researched and commonly prescribed treatments for ADHD. Numerous short-term studies have established the safety and efficacy of stimulants and psychosocial treatments for alleviating the symptoms of ADHD. A multisite study of children with ADHD recently concluded that the two most effective treatment modalities for elementary school children with ADHD are a closely monitored medication treatment and a treatment that combines medication with intensive behavioral interventions. Another study, jointly funded by the NIMH and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, has shown that boys with ADHD who are treated with stimulants are significantly less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol when they get older. In previous studies, these same researchers found that nearly twice as many adults with ADHD (that was generally not diagnosed or treated until much later in life) also abused drugs and/or alcohol at some point in their lives, compared to adults without ADHD.

Information provided by the National Institute of Mental Health

Children and Mental Health