ADHD Stimulant Prescriptions On The Rise

More and more kids and teens are being prescribed stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new government report.

Researchers looked at data on stimulant prescriptions between 1996 and 2008, and found that the number of prescriptions for kids younger than 19 increased from 2.4 percent in 1996, to 3.5 percent in 2008.

Kids ages 6 to 12 had the most prescriptions -- 4.2 percent in 1996 to 5.1 percent in 2008 -- but teens ages 13 to 18 had the biggest increase in prescriptions, from 2.3 percent in 1996 to 4.9 percent in 2008, according to the data.

Common ADHD medications include Ritalin (a methylphenidate) and Adderall (an amphetamine).

"Stimulant medications work well to control ADHD symptoms, but they are only one method of treatment for the condition," study researcher Benedetto Vitiello, M.D., of NIH's National Institute of Mental Health, said in a statement. "Experts estimate that about 60 percent of children with ADHD are treated with medication."

Besides prescription medications, behavioral therapy is another option for treating ADHD, the NIH reported. Alternative therapies, like yoga and meditation, special diet (sans sugar, caffeine and common allergens), herbal supplements and neurofeedback training, could also help to treat ADHD, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Researchers also found that boys were three times more likely to receive stimulant prescriptions than girls, and were most often prescribed among white children (compared with black or Hispanic children).

These days, about 1 in 10 kids is diagnosed with ADHD, according to a CDC report released just last month. In that report, researchers found that ADHD diagnoses rose from 7 percent in 1998 to 9 percent between 2007 and 2009.

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Comments

[ddanimal]

06:43 PM on 10/02/2011

I wonder how much of this problem is caused by brain inflammation from vaccines.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/75333.php

"The survey, commissioned by Generation Rescue, compared vaccinated and unvaccinated children in nine counties in Oregon and California. Among more than 9,000 boys age 4-17, the survey found vaccinated boys were two and a half times (155%) more likely to have neurological disorders compared to their unvaccinated peers. Vaccinated boys were 224% more likely to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), "

[Raven1970]

10:59 AM on 10/01/2011

And still while Europe requires warning labels on foods that have artificial dyes that distinctly say that they have been known to cause behavioral problems in children and ADHD, causing food companies to use natural food coloring such as beets, in the US we continue to line our store aisles with children's foods packed with food dyes and no warning what's so ever, our kids eat these dyes in everything from cereal, yogurts, fruit snacks, cookies, juices, beverages, lunch items even pastas! Parents that think they are making smart decisions are filling their kids up with food dyes and then being influences by a billion dollar marketing trend from pharma...thanks FDA, for having our best interest at heart!

[adams011]

10:26 PM on 09/29/2011

The significant increases in diagnoses of ADHD cannot represent a "real" increase in the disorder. It might represent a change in the diagnostic criteria leading to more cases identified and treated; or more aggressive marketing of stimulant meds so that people seek out drug treatment; or less tolerance of disruptive sorts of behaviour in general, which seems to be a widespread societal phenomenon. research indicates that at least a third to a half of ADHD springs into being around the first two years of school, and for many kids (especially boys) the symptoms are most likely a result of reading failure. Girls who can't read dont act up and so are "ignored" by the teachers. If you can't read, you are effectively excluded from the everyday life of the classroom so there is little alternative but to stare out the window or act out (again especially if you are a boy) If schools can effectively address reading acquisition, a lot of these cases of ADHD will vanish .

[nowGo4ward]

12:00 AM on 09/30/2011

Personally, I suspect much of the increase is real and due to an increasingly unhealthy environment neurologically.

[nowGo4ward]

05:30 PM on 09/29/2011

Anyone else found benefit from the Feingold and other exclusion diets?

[notmytime]

01:04 AM on 09/30/2011

I have found that food dye exacerbates the problems, so that has been eliminated. Gluten free due to allergies, but in total, the Feingold diet has not imparted a dramatic improvement regarding the ADD.

[nowGo4ward]

01:03 PM on 09/30/2011

My daughter is more on the autism spectrum, but she was functioning under a huge mental fog before trying gluten-free, casein-free. She also has other allergies. I wonder if many of these diagnoses have relationship to immune stimulation.

[kymeee99]

10:08 AM on 09/29/2011

Parents before you give away your parental rights to these unquailfied drug goons, seek out, some other alternative. Once your child is given a LABEL, the child can never retract the label. Sue, if you have too! When children are placed in hostile, or confusing situations, they will always act out in some way, especially if they are unable to cope. There is a root to the probelm, and it is the parents DUTY to find out what the problem is and address it. Don't be so tired from work and daily life, that you have nothing better to offer your child! Please, don't give parental powers to others! Most teachers, who have no quailifications in a diagnosis, and have not been offered an alternative to unwanted behavior, have been trained to reach out to the school staff, who will deal with the "problem child", by labeling the child as having ADHD, where ritalin is the end of the road. This is sickenly wrong! Big drug companies are wanting in the wings/halls, as they profit off of decades of prescriptions, to unwitting parents! But, more importantly, what about the child, who was misunderstood, the one who never had a voice in the matter! Drugs are not the answer parents...

[notmytime]

01:11 AM on 09/30/2011

For many parents, the decision to utilize prescription drugs for ADHD, is not taken lightly. Please do not discount or diminish the soul searching that many parents put themselves through when they realize that ADHD is a very real problem that impacts every facet of the child's life.

if indeed you do have a child that is concretely diagnosed, understand that while medication is a tool that does have its' place in the multi-modal treatment aspect, it is not the only challenge that needs to be addressed within the child's life and the challenges change and mature as quickly as your child does. A key component is the parents' ability to mature and evolve as quickly as your child/adolescent.

[Vajara]

09:35 AM on 09/29/2011

Give kids drugs because they don't have self-control is such a false message that I can't believe it was given this space as appropriate or helpful. There are so many alternatives that most parents understand; however, these practitioners are so filled with belief and trust and benefits from the BigPharmas that they have lost their clarity of reason. Buyer beware of this approach that causes great harm to your kids and family....just because there are some observable behavioral changes of the decreased energy levels, there is a long term danger of other organs being injured--eg. liver and other systems that can't break down and eliminate these chemicals.

[kymeee99]

10:23 AM on 09/29/2011

Great post Vajara.

[notmytime]

01:17 AM on 09/30/2011

do you have a child that finds it difficult to write a sentence because they suffer from ADHD? I do.

I do not relish the idea of having a child who must walk through the world facing challenges that I can only imagine and empathize with, But I can advocate and use every tool within my power to try and help achieve success.

For you to trash every parent of an ADHD child for deciding to try every tool available to them in hopes that they find a key that will allow their child to succeed is each narrow minded and irresponsible.

as to the organ injuries, please provide links as I have found no reports (peer reviewed or otherwise) that would support this claim.

[Vajara]

10:19 AM on 09/30/2011

I am sorry that you have a child with some serious issues identified as ADHD. Most of the research that is reported is supported by the drug companies themselves and BigPharma will alter the results to fit their interests and sales. I did a brief search and identified this article that didn't have drug ads to support their findings. I think there are few long-term research studies on these chemicals. I am not here to judge you or any parent who does what they feel is best for their children...I just question the Psychiatric labels and drugs being prescribed before other alternatives are explored as I indicated in earlier posts.

Btw, the labels themselves don't serve to help the child as they are targeted by the schools and treated differently than others, often as self-fulfillinig prophesy for the kids.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/97884-adhd-drug-dangers/

[Lolly31]

09:17 AM on 09/29/2011

I have a 10 year old child that was labeled ADHD. I spent years resisting the meds choosing alternative remedies instead. My husband and I make sure he gets tons of exercise. He eats nutritiously as well. We are also strict with discipline. Until last year he was always on honor roll until his first C. After numerous complaints about his behavior, not disrespectful just restless, I decided to listen to the Dr and give the meds a chance. Within 1 week he had pulled his grades to all A's and his teacher was raving about his turnaround. I hate him taking the meds. I also hated the way his teachers constantly suggested he take meds. It is actually illegal for teachers to do so but believe me they push. I can't blame them in some respect. Class sizes are crazy and it is a distraction. I think all to often parents and others look for the quick fix. If you have truly gone through all of the motions with diet, exercise, discipline and your child is still having problems with overactiveness and concentration then maybe it is time to try the meds. We only give the meds during school days. Never on the weekends or holidays. We also remove him from the meds from time to tie to give his body a break. These medications should not be taken lightly and i would urge anyone to do a ton of research and exhaust ALL options beforehand.

[notmytime]

01:18 AM on 09/30/2011

As a parent of an 11 year old, I have had the same experience and outcome as you. Were children only allowed to run laps while taking math tests!

[ddanimal]

06:46 PM on 10/02/2011

Have you tried hyperbaric oxygen treatment? ADHD kids have lower brain blood flow and therefore lower oxygen levels in the brain.

[phdpamela]

08:40 AM on 09/29/2011

Wake up people! Young children have a LOT of energy they need to burn off DAILY. We have way too many uneducated young parents, that run directly to the pediatrician. Boys are more energetic than girls. Where do you think the term "the terrible twos" came from? Kids need to play OUTDOORS a lot. Playing means running, riding bikes, chasing each other. Not sitting in front of the tv or pc. Schools don't have recess much anymore, and when they do, they don't play kick ball, softball etc like they used to for fear of being sued for an injury. Kids need STRUCTURE as well. Your body gets used to routine. You can't let the kid run the house until 11pm, and then decide when their 7yrs old to change it all. If you have a child that you know is living a structured environment, that is getting 3-4 hrs of strenuous play after school (an hour of soccer practice is NOT enough) and prob another hour after dinner (yeah kids should eat at 5pm, not 8pm) and he/she is excessively "bouncing off the walls", then you might have an ADHD candidate. Not paying attention, and being energetic is NORMAL. These aren't dolls, they are growing children!

[Toonguy]

08:49 AM on 10/05/2011

You operating under a false assumption. Consider, for instance, the child with dyslexia. Do you suggest we just move them closer to the blackboard? Of course not. ADHD is not merely a case of having too much energy or a case of "the fidgets." It is a break down in the executive functions of the brain that allow a person to successfully focus, absorb and remember. Making someone run around is NOT going to address any of those issues. Only therapy (which MAY or MAY NOT include medication) can help the student learn to block out the distractions.

[Razorsharp1234]

07:46 AM on 09/29/2011

I don't get it. First you warn of all side effects and than you pass these drugs out as Candy. What's wrong wityh you, spend some money on specilized people (REAL EXPERTS) to handle students with ADHD. ADHD comes in many forms and it can be controlled w/ drugs. WE are to easy on passing them out. Looks like, I don';t want to deal with a difficult child, that child might be smarter then you are, so is it b/c u are afraid or b/c u hv to meet a deadline in your class. Parents do not take that c... it causes major side effects later on in life. Do some research before you pump your child with that poison.