While there is no medicinal cure for ADHD, there are drugsthat can temporarily relieve symptoms so both children and adultscan focus, work, and learn more effectively. In particular, atleast four psychostimulants are federally approved to treat ADHD:methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine orDextrostat), pemoline (Cylert), and Adderall (an amphetaminecomprised of dextroamphetamine saccharate, dextroamphetaminesulfate, amphetamine aspartate, and amphetamine sulfate).

Studies suggest that about 80% of children with ADHDrespond positively to psychostimulant medication, and improvementis usually noticeable within a week after treatment begins. Thelength of symptomatic relief varies from about 3 to 9 hours, depending on which drug is taken, the dosage, and theindividual's response to the drug. ADHD patients typically trytwo or three different drugs or dosage levels before discoveringwhat works best for them.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), psychostimulants may also improvephysical coordination, such as handwriting and athletic ability.Additionally, research suggests that these medicines may helpchildren with an accompanying conduct disorder to control theirimpulsive, destructive behaviors.

Psychostimulants alone will not improve a child's grades orself-esteem, however. Preliminary research suggests that the bestresults are achieved when drug therapy is combined withbehavioral therapy, emotional counseling, and practical support.A large study is under way to further investigate thosefindings.

Side effects

Using psychostimulants for ADHD is controversial in partbecause of their addictive potential and side effects. Inchildren, psychostimulants are not generally addictive, but inteenagers and adults these medications can be. There is asignificant black market for these drugs. Periodic monitoring bythe prescribing physician is important to reduce the risk fordependency and abuse. Some kids with ADHD who takepsychostimulants lose weight or their appetite, and temporarilygrow more slowly. Trouble falling asleep is another side effect.Often, side effects lessen when the dosage is reduced.

One recent study found that boys with ADHD who are treatedwith psychostimulants, such as Ritalin, are significantly lesslikely to abuse other drugs and alcohol when they get older.

Denmark hotelsOther ADHD controversies

There has been considerable debate regarding whether doctorsover-prescribe Ritalin, and there have been allegations that ADHDis being over-diagnosed in general. While there was a dramatic risein the number of ADHD diagnoses and psychostimulant prescriptionsfor ADHD between 1990 and 1995, a recent report in the ERROR MSGJournal ofthe American Medical Association found little evidence ofwidespread over-diagnosis or misdiagnosis of ADHD or of widespreadover-prescription of Ritalin by physicians. The researchers drewtheir conclusions after reviewing scientific studies of ADHDpublished from 1975 through March 1997. Similar conclusions werereached through epidemiological survey data obtained from 1285children and their parents across four U.S. communities. In fact,that NIMH study found that children with ADHD were generally morelikely to receive mental-health counseling and/or school-basedinterventions than medication.