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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is considered one of the most

recognized, and commonly treated psychiatric disorders in the world. Individuals with ADHD

frequently possess unfortunate damage in learning, communicating, and personal relationship

behavior. Polanczyc explains that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a

common, long-lasting, treatable childhood psychiatric disorder, characterized by a pattern of

developmentally inappropriate inattention, motor restlessness and impulsivity that affects

approximately 3 – 7% of school-aged children (qtd. in Curatolo et al. 79). ADHD is also

connected with many unhealthy illnesses and impairments similar to bipolar disorder,

depression, and learning disabilities. Many ADHD studies have discovered potentially helpful

treatments for patients; yet, no studies have ever accurately established what causes ADHD in

patients. According to Still, “ADHD was first recognized 100 years ago as a childhood disorder

found mainly in boys, and was initially described as ‘hyperactivity’ or ‘hyperkinetic’ disorder of

childhood” (qtd. in Curatolo et al. 79). However, the medical definition for ADHD has

encountered a few beneficial adjustments throughout the years. These changes have allowed

adolescents, and adults with ADHD to be treated as well; consequently, the amount people being

diagnosed with ADHD every year has increased tremendously. Rawson and Condon share that

the steep increase in the diagnosis of ADHD during the 1990s in the United States led to a

parallel increase in production and societal exposure to legally distributed amphetamine (qtd. in

Berman 123). Generally, patients who are diagnosed with ADHD begin with stimulant treatment

for a more efficacious outcome. Solento states, “ADHD stimulant medications are believed to

exert their therapeutic effects by increasing the amount of dopamine and noradrenaline

(norepinephrine) available in the neuronal system (qtd. in Froehlich et al. 99). Some of these

stimulants include; amphetamine, dextroamphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and

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methamphetamine (Desoxyn). Stimulants used in ADHD treatment are surely capable of

providing patients with positive results; still, the detrimental effects caused by stimulants

definitely outweigh any benefits they may offer.

Stimulant treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has become extremely

controversial due to its adverse side effects; however, its positive effects have caused patients to

continuously favor this form of treatment. Stimulants could potentially be the most beneficial

form of treatment if, of course, patients are diagnosed adequately. Jensen states, “In the United

States and increasingly in Europe, phsychostimulants are first-line treatments for this disorder”

(qtd. in Singh 957). Psychostimulants have gradually become the most commonly preferred

drugs in the treatment of ADHD because they have shown to be helpful, and productive in the

lives of patients with ADHD. Kahbazi et al. make known that research has shown that stimulant

medication is an effective treatment for many of the symptoms associated with ADHD (qtd. in

Antshel 72). Stimulant treatments provide many positive benefits, such as; controlled

hyperactivity, improved concentration, increased motivation and socializing skills. Patients on

stimulants become fairly calmer; they are able to stay focused on one task at a time, and are not

easily distracted. Solanto says that it has been shown in previous studies that MPH

(methylphenidate) significantly reduces activity level in children with ADHD and enhances

sustained attention, as well as the speed and organization of motor response processes and motor

inhibitory control (qtd. in Ellertsen et al. 21). Stimulant medications manifest alertness in

patients; therefore, allowing them to become more successful, and productive in their daily

routines. Oftentimes the hyper-focused behavior stimulants exude will push ADHD patients to

become more active, this commonly influences them to take on new hobbies or join school clubs.

The concentration stimulants transmit to patients also motivates them to complete the tasks in

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their everyday life that they couldn’t complete before. Patients on stimulant treatment usually

feel self-sufficient, and it is easier for them socialize with others, along with, improving their

family relationships. Miller et al. share that, “In many cases, the medications have also led to

improved relationships with peers and parents, and better control over conduct and aggression”

(qtd. in Doffing et al. 17). Most importantly, stimulants reduce the main symptoms of ADHD

that hold patients back from being triumphant in their life.

In addition, Faraone et al. state, “For most patients with ADHD, stimulants remain the

first choice for medication management, as meta-analyses of existing research have shown that

they are more efficacious than non-stimulant medications” (qtd. in Antshel 72). In the long run,

being on stimulants for treatment of ADHD is a great advantage for those patients who are

accurately diagnosed. If stimulant medications are not abused and are taken as directed by the

psychiatrist then, any improvements patients have made initially can become long term benefits

in their life. Some long term benefits include; improvement in school grades, improvement in

work quality, and an overall organized life. Due to ADHD symptoms, patients are at a

disadvantage compared to their peers because they work at a lower level than the average person,

therefore, patients have trouble exceeding at school or at times even keeping jobs. Patients can

honestly benefit from stimulant medications immensely; they offer assistance to those ADHD

patients who truly need help with concentrating and controlling their impulsivity in places that

are essential parts in their lives. Also, Wilens et al. explain that studies suggest that treatment

with stimulants can help to lessen the likelihood of other psychiatric comorbidities during

adolescence, including cigarette use and substance abuse (qtd. in Antshel 72). Overall,

stimulants can be extraordinarily beneficial in the lives of patients who are suffering from

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

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Although stimulant treatments for patients who suffer from ADHD have been somewhat

beneficial, the negative effects it has had on a large portion of patients overshadow any minor

benefit. Schachter et al. express that common adverse effects include; decreases in growth,

headaches/stomachaches, changes in blood pressure and pulse, changes in sleep, increases in tics,

cognitive effects, rebound phenomenon and psychotic behaviors (qtd. in Doffing et al. 17).

Insomnia and loss of appetite are two very well-known side effects stimulants have on patients;

however, they are far more severe than what many people perceive them as. Loss of appetite is

an extremely serious side effect stimulants have; when patients on stimulants forget to eat it can

cause them intolerable migraines and stomach pains that oftentimes sends patients to the

hospital. Likewise, numerous patients have reported that after just two restlessness nights they

began feeling extremely painful muscle cramps all over their body, along with, hallucinating and

becoming paranoid. In the article Atomoxetine/SLI 381 studies discovered, “A restless boy and a

girl developed psychiatric disorders during treatment with SLI 381 [Adderall XR] and

atomoxetine [Strattera] for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (“Atomoxetine/SLI 381” 8).

According to Efron, Jarmon, and Barker a comparison study of both medications [amphetamines

and methylphenidate] found that dextroamphetamine caused more severe insomnia, irritability,

proneness to crying, anxiousness, sadness and nightmares, but caused less severe appetite

suppression (qtd. in Doffing et al. 17). Indeed, amphetamines have a similar profile of adverse

effects to methylphenidate, but even when taking dextroamphetamine or methamphetamine the

negative effects of any these stimulants will generally be just as detrimental. Moreover, it is very

common for patients to become extremely anxious when their stimulant dosage is increased; they

begin feeling on edge, jittery and develop tics. Castellanos states that tics may occur or be

increased in some of the patients treated with methylphenidate (qtd. in Doffing et al. 17).

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Countless studies have shown that stimulants cause mood swings and many times even trigger

bipolar disorder in ADHD patients. Customarily patients feel extremely joyous when they are

first put on stimulant treatment because it helps them achieve many things, but soon after they

begin feeling a false sense of superiority and acting arrogant towards everyone around them. In

consequence, patients become notably fickle; only feeling content when they are on stimulants,

and once the stimulants begin wearing off patients become terribly emotional. For example,

Schachter et al. say, “Irritability and proneness to crying or whining are reported when the

medication is wearing off” (qtd. in Doffing et al. 17). Stimulants are no different from any other

street drug; it gives patients a false sense of contentment, meanwhile, it is causing severe damage

in their life.

Additionally, stimulants being prescribed to ADHD patients also have extremely harmful

long term effects. Many studies suggest that amphetamines, dextroamphetamine,

methylphenidates, and methamphetamines are the main cause of serious health issues in ADHD

patients. Breggin wrote that Ritalin predisposes effects, such as growth retardation and

irreversible brain damage (qtd. in Mayes et al. 142). Stimulants suppress appetite in patients, as

well as, disrupting their growth in hormones; this causes a stunt of growth in children. Faraone et

al. discuss that a recent review article has shown that treatment with stimulants in childhood

modestly reduced expected height and weight (qtd. in Antshel 72). Since the immediate effects

of stimulants do not usually last too long, eating disorders typically arise in the majority of

patients. When stimulants cause loss of appetite and the patients who are being treated for

ADHD won’t eat, the metabolism gradually slows down. There comes a point when most

patients begin having unhealthy eating habits; while some will gain weight, others will lose

weight. Breggin states that stimulants also cause skin rashes that can become very serious and

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even life-threatening allergic reactions can occur (33). Heart and liver problems, along with,

sudden unexplained death are also considered a rare result of long-term stimulant treatment.

According to Joyce et al., significant increases in plasma catecholamines accompanying BP and

heart rate elevations have been reported in adults receiving an intravenous methylphenidate

infusion, and 24-hour ambulatory monitoring in children show higher increases in BP and heart

rate during waking hours, which correlate with stimulant dose (qtd. in Elia and Vetter 165).

Physicians at Thomson Healthcare explain that methylphenidate products now carry warnings

about sudden death in patients with structural cardiac anomalies, long-term growth suppression,

psychosis, mania, aggression, use in severe depression and normal fatigue, patients with

hypertension, other cardiac disorders, visual disturbance and, as noted previously, in individuals

with seizure disorders (Doffing et al. 17).

Lastly, the worse side effect of stimulant treatment is how undeniably addicting it is.

Breggin states that the abuse of methylphenidate can lead to tolerance and severe psychological

dependence; psychotic episodes, violent and bizarre behaviors have been reported. Stimulant

treatment is causing serious addiction problems in many of the patients being treated, since

tolerance for stimulants builds up quickly patients start taking more because their body no longer

feels the stimulant’s effects. Hill and Sofuoglu state that abuse of amphetamine is associated

with tolerance and psychological dependence and is difficult to treat; withdrawal generally

produces fatigue, depression and social disability (qtd. in Berman 123). ADHD patients taking

stimulants are more frequently becoming dependent of stimulant drugs because they feel as if

they can only function adequately while they are on stimulants. Not to mention, there is

significantly large amount of female patients abusing stimulants in order to lose weight.

According to Hill and Sofuoglu, since amphetamines were first used medically, there have been

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reports of prescription abuse by individuals seeking weight loss, enhanced energy, sleep

postponement (student 'cramming,' long-distance driving), improved athletic performance or

simply enhancement of recreational social activities (qtd. in Berman 123). These stimulants are

opening doors to other drugs, and causing damage to the patients inflicted. Karch describes the

typical acute behavioral effects of stimulants include feelings of alertness, wakefulness, energy,

well-being, euphoria (at high doses) and suppression of appetite (qtd. in Kish 1679). The

behavioral effects stimulants give patients are quite similar to those of street drugs like cocaine

and crystal meth. Medications are meant to help people; meanwhile, stimulants used for ADHD

are doing the complete opposite.

Apart from stimulants, many other non-stimulant treatments have proven to be just as

effective and contain a significantly smaller amount of negative side effects. Zimmerman

expresses, “Despite use of stimulant medication in childhood, many adolescents continue to have

major attention deficit symptoms such as academic, emotional, or social problems without

additional treatment methods (87). Still, stimulant treatment continues to be used as the sole

treatment for patients with ADHD. For instance, two perfect alternatives for stimulant treatment

are the following; atomoxetine (Strattera), a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI),

and bupropion (Wellbutrin), a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI). Strattera and

Wellbutrin are known for running considerably smooth and keeping patients emotionally,

mentally and physically stable. Studies have shown that both Wellbutrin and Strattera cannot be

abused and their side effects are close-to-none. Garnock-Jones and Keating believe that

atomoxetine is effective and generally well tolerated (85). Another successful form of treatment

for ADHD is a nutritional diet. Zimmerman explains that it only takes a few days for there to be

observable improvement in children’s behavior when the most likely provoking foods and

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additives are removed from their diet; this makes diet the best place to start in overcoming

AD/HD (91). Furthermore, non-stimulant treatment for ADHD should be taken up for

consideration more often because stimulants can be highly dangerous if given to the wrong

patient.

In brief, people are casually being diagnosed with ADHD and given stimulant treatment

regardless of how damaging it can be. Swanson et al. express, “Drug treatment should be based

on a thorough assessment and should always be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that

includes psychosocial, behavioral, and educational advice and interventions” (qtd. in Curatolo et

al. 79). Though, it is true that ADHD patients honestly deserve to have effective treatment

because they are at a high disadvantage compared to other people who don’t have ADHD, there

are several ways to treat ADHD patients and stimulants are not the only option. Johnston et al.

believe, “The goal of all of ADHD therapies is to help patients focus more, and therefore

improve their symptoms” (qtd. in McCarthy 66). Stimulants used in ADHD treatment are surely

capable of providing patients with positive results; still, the detrimental effects caused by

stimulants definitely outweigh any benefits they may offer.

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