Therapy for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
D. C. Vinson
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, chronic
neurological and behavioral syndrome in children, adolescents, and adults.
Research studies carried out with subjects referred to specialists for
treatment of ADHD have shown that methylphenidate hydrochloride improves
behavior and academic performance in both children and adolescents, at
least in the short term. Dextroamphetamine sulfate, pemoline, and
desipramine hydrochloride are reasonable second choices for those patients
who cannot tolerate or do not respond to methylphenidate.
Cognitive-behavioral and family therapies, while intuitively appealing,
appear to have weak effects and little empirical validation. The long-term
outcome of ADHD as seen in primary care settings is not predictable.
