| ADHD, once called
hyperkinesis or minimal brain dysfunction, is one of the most common
mental disorders among children. It affects 3 to 5 percent of all
children, perhaps as many as 2 million American children. Two to three
times more boys than girls are affected. On the average, at least one
child in every classroom in the United States needs help for the
disorder. ADHD often continues into adolescence and adulthood, and can
cause a lifetime of frustrated dreams and emotional pain.
Stimulant drugs, such as Ritalin and Adderall, when used with medical
supervision, are usually considered quite safe. Although they can be
addictive to teenagers and adults if misused, these medications are not
addictive in children. They seldom make children "high" or jittery. Nor
do they sedate the child. Rather, the stimulants help children control
their hyperactivity, inattention, and other behaviors.- Information from the National Institute of Mental Health |