ADHD medication remains a magnet for debate, confusion, and promise.Amphetamine and methylphenidate have been used to treat ADHD for at least 80 years, and their safety and efficacy have been studied relentlessly.
But according to a recent ADDitude survey, less than half (42%) of parents opt to medicate their children in the months after a diagnosis, largely due to the risk of side effects like appetite suppression or sleep disruption — both possible impediments to growth.In the end, 85% of all people with ADHD end up taking medication and they rate its efficacy higher than any other treatment included in the survey, ADDitude’s largest to date.
More than 11,000 adults with ADHD and caregivers of children with the condition participated in the survey from July to December 2023.“We hesitated for a long time and tried diet changes first in an attempt to avoid medication,” said one respondent. “Although diet is very important, medication has given our child the opportunity to enjoy life by having more emotional control, better friendships, and the ability to complete work and think things through.
Read more on additudemag.com