Parents of children with ADHD and ADD have a question to consider: To medicate or not to medicate?

In the last few decades it seems that ADD and ADHD diagnoses in children are becoming more and more common. What was at one time a relatively new psychological disorder is now a household term. It is very important for parents, educators, and children to understand what treatment options they have to releive the symptoms of these disorders. Many people seem to be drawn to the "quick-fix" remedy of a drug, and without discussing other options, assume that this is the best method to treat the problem. However, many parents probably do not realize that there are many other routes to take in terms of counseling or a combination of counseling and medication. Putting children on a long-term course of medication can have many effects on the child, and is not a decision that should be taken lightly.

This article describes an argument that one study makes for a combination treatment that includes drugs and therapy, and is not necessarily meant to encompass the entire scope of the argument. Every parent considering treatment for a child diagnosed with one of these disorders should do extensive research on the topic before coming to any conclusions or treatment decisions. As a student working towards a masters in counseling, I have studied and discussed this topic at lenght, but I still have doubts that there is one correct method of treatment for all cases. Each child should be treated as an individual with their own needs taken under consideration. In many cases, the least amount of treatment necessary to help the child lead a normal life would be the optimal choice.

Although the science of psychotropic medications is still relatively new, the most effective treatment for ADHD in children is a combination of drugs and therapy. Some may argue that doctors and parents alike are too quick to prescribe medication to children, or that this is a "quick-fix" method that addresses symptoms rather than the root of the problem. However, evidence has shown that medication can significantly aid in the treatment of this disorder. Counseling alone has been shown not to be as effective as a combination of drugs and therapy. Some people may believe that ADHD is just another word for a child who misbehaves, but in a society where so many children slip through the cracks of the educational process, it is important to give those children every opportunity that is available. 50 years ago, it may have seemed ridiculous to give a child medication because his grades were inadequate. However, the study of psychotropic drugs has evolved rapidly in the last several decades although negative connotations associated with this type of drug use still persist.

In a study conducted by Lisa A. Johnson, MD, and Sarah Safranek, MLIS, it was concluded that "stimulant medication therapy is the most effective treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, producing significant improvements in symptoms and modest improvements in academic achievement." (p. 166) In this study, the researchers took a random sample of 579 ADHD diagnosed children aged 7-9. There were 4 study groups who received one of the following: stimulant medication, intensive behavioral treatment, these first two combined, and standard community care. 60% were not able to complete intensive treatments. The group with combined medication and therapy had the most improvements, and side effects did not pose notable health threats. These findings support the use of medication over counseling alone.