TheAustralian:Kids on ADHD drugs do 10 times worse at school than kids who avoid medication

[China]

Kids on ADHD drugs `poor at school'

CHILDREN with ADHD who use prescription drugs to manage their condition are 10 times more likely to perform poorly at school than ADHD kids who avoid medication, a new report reveals.

The report also finds stimulant drugs such as Ritalin and dexamphetamine make no significant difference to the level of depression, self-perception and social functioning of a 14-year-old with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Those consistently using medication had significantly higher blood pressure at age 14 than children who had never taken drugs, a side-effect that could increase the risk of heart attack and stroke even into adulthood.

The report's co-author, Lou Landau, said the world-first study into the long-term effects of stimulant medication on children with ADHD, to be published today, showed "drugs over the long term don't have an impact on improving performance".

"They don't improve outcomes for those with ADHD, they make no difference to levels of depression, social functioning and self-perception, and for those on medication it is 10 times as likely that classroom performance will be below average," he said.

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[Park City Skins]

I would be curious to see what,(or even if),the other things parents did to help the kids with ADHD in this study.

[Enter Apotheosis]

I would be curious to see what,(or even if),the other things parents did to help the kids with ADHD in this study.

It's certainly easier to ignore a kid who isn't hyperactive.

[Brad_Edwards_Fan]

I always have questions about correct samples here. I cant help but wonder if the kids that were on meds included a population that had much more significant issues, making it not reasonable to handle w/o meds. As opposed to the no-meds group that may include more "borderline" cases

[PokerPacker]

big surprise, the "cure" for a teacher-diagnosed condition is worse than the "problem"

[Predicto]

I wonder how the other kids in the classroom did during this same timeframe.

[Mickalino]

CHILDREN with ADHD who use prescription drugs to manage their condition are 10 times more likely to perform poorly at school than ADHD kids who avoid medication, a new report reveals.

ACW, I have Kevin Trudeau on hold on line 2, to speak with you.

[Vicious]

That is such bull**** I get straight A's because I am able to use my Ritalin.

[Major Harris]

big surprise, the "cure" for a teacher-diagnosed condition is worse than the "problem"

your hatred of teachers is funny. teachers don't diagnose.

[Sniffler]

big surprise, the "cure" for a teacher-diagnosed condition is worse than the "problem"

As a teacher... I understand how truly ignorant this statement is... Teachers DO NOT diagnose anything... I have never done so myself nor have I heard any other teacher attempt to "diagnose" any student. We (teachers) are constantly and consistently informed to NEVER make any attempt to do so... especially considering the legal ramifications that may transpire as a result.

[JimboDaMan]

Interesting study.

The article quotes some broad claims that are unsupported by the evidence provided, like that ADD drugs "don't improve the outcomes" and they "drag kids down". Its possible these kids were already low performers on the average, which is why their parents sought help in the first place. We don't have any data on performance before the drugs were administered. I know parents of high schoolers who swear their kids perform better using the ADD drugs, and that if they go off the performance declines again. I wonder if there's a study that measures before-and-after.

Physically I guess there's good and bad news for these kids. Claims of a tendency towards depression (even suicidal, I guess) seem to be unfounded, but high blood pressure is a side effect.

[Major Harris]

As a teacher... I understand how truly ignorant this statement is... Teachers DO NOT diagnose anything... I have never done so myself nor have I heard any other teacher attempt to "diagnose" any student. We (teachers) are constantly and consistently informed to NEVER make any attempt to do so... especially considering the legal ramifications that may transpire due as a result.

pp is pretty cool, he hasn't quite outgrown his "fight the power" trip of how dumb teachers and other authority figures are.

[Park City Skins]

It's certainly easier to ignore a kid who isn't hyperactive.

True that. Probably why I got so much "attention" when I was a kid.

I always have questions about correct samples here. I cant help but wonder if the kids that were on meds included a population that had much more significant issues, making it not reasonable to handle w/o meds. As opposed to the no-meds group that may include more "borderline" cases

Agreed. Very easily could be other variables to consider in all this.

[Soup]

I'm parinoid of any pill, all the side effects I read. Most of the time they cause more harm than they cure. I had a friend commit suicide while on Accutane

[Renegade7]

That sample is too small to take seriously, but I'm happy to see this.

Having taken ADHD medication from the time I was in the 3rd grade to 17 years old, I could feel the difference between being over medicated and waiting to get the perscription filled. There's a reason I don't take any of that crap anymore. I'm still ADHD but I have a better understanding of how to deal with it now instead of letting the meds drive me nuts. They can depress you, they can hold you back in social situations, and you will look at yourself differently, sometimes in a very dangerous way.

They need to get rid of all of it. It'll be tough figuring out the sweet spot in making it work in school, but you'll enjoy the little things more. I'm not perfect, and never will be, and I'm perfectly fine with that.

But don't take my word for it. It helped but wasn't worth it, imo...