From The Frontline - Drugs don't always work for ADHD sufferers
Jon Jolly
Thursday, January 10, 2008
I've worked with many young people with behavioural problems and hyperactive disorders since I started out in youth work eight years ago. I've lost count of the number of conversations I've had with concerned families about how their child is "out of control" or "needs sorting out" because they are unable to cope with the erratic behaviour.
Invariably, over time, most of these families have turned to their GP for support and the young person has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They have then been started on a course of medication, with varying results.
When working with medicated young people, I find that some practically become vegetables when their tablets kick in - they are virtually unable to hold a normal conversation or take part in sessions. Others become aggressive, depressed or suicidal as the effects wear off. At times I've had to work with parents to administer medication at the right time to get the best possible behaviour from individuals. This convoluted effort just to get participation from a young person has always sat uneasily with me.
There are many young people who have been helped by ADHD medication, but to me it has always seemed an easy solution to a difficult problem. That's why a recent long-term study into its effects got me quite excited.
The Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD by the University of Buffalo in the US followed the treatment of about 600 children in the US from the 1990s. Although researchers found medication to be helpful for up to three years, one of the study's co-authors said there were "no beneficial effects" of using the medication long term. In fact, the impact was seemingly negative, as the children and young people involved failed to grow at the normal rate.
Much of our current ADHD treatment strategy is based on a 1999 report, which concluded that medication works better than behavioural therapy after one year. But the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is reviewing its stance on ADHD drugs, which should give rise to other options for families struggling to cope.
Hopefully, this will mean fewer vegetative young people and less reliance on medication. It may also enable youth workers to be more creative in delivering activities to young people suffering from the disorder, without betraying the values inherent in our work.