3 Major Findings From A Large ADHD Treatment Study Will Shock You
The largest ADHD treatment study ever conducted, showed 3 major discoveries that are shocking and may make you re-think how you treat ADHD. This study was made with over 600 children between the ages of 7 – 9 years old. They followed them until age 25 years old. That is a complete study that shows how ADHD medication used consistently stunts growth. Here are the 3 findings and a “takeaway” from each.
ADHD Medication Used Consistently Stunts Growth: stunted 2 inches if 10 mg used at least 182 days a year
- Finding: People who consistently took ADHD medication across childhood up to age 25. These people were on average 2 inches shorter in height than those who did not. The medication dose was at least 10 mg of Methylphenidate and consistent use was listed as at least half the days of the year.
- Takeaway: If your child is using ADHD medications in this way, he or she might be at risk for growth issues. Therefore, a major takeaway of the study was that if other therapies were used with the medication it could be reduced with the same reduced level of symptoms.
ADHD Symptoms Persisted into Adulthood and Were Reported Worse by Parents
- Finding: As children age, ADHD symptoms don’t go away. In fact, parents thought that the kids’ symptoms were worse than the children recognized themselves.
- Takeaway: Kids don’t grow out of ADHD. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental issue. Meaning that it is neurological in nature. It happens in the brain. Only changing the brain makes it go away.
The ADHD brain pattern can be showed using qEEG Brain Mapping and can be improved using Neurofeedback Brain Therapy. Neurofeedback Therapy is so successful, upwards of 90% success rates. The American Academy of Pediatrics declares it as a #1 Best Level Support.
Most Kids Don’t Use Their Medications Consistently
- Finding: Only 14.3% of children continuously use their medications through the age of 18.
- Takeaway: We see this in the office all the time. Kids don’t like the way the medications make them feel. As they grow older they don’t want to use them anymore. The danger is the ADHD brain pattern is still there. Therefore, the symptoms are continuing and seem worse to parents (we know that from above). Kids are at real risk for heartache. Therefore, struggle as they move into adulthood. Kids need a different option than medication to be as successful as they age.
These strong findings are elaborated on in an article by Dr. David Rabiner, a Duke University Child Clinical Psychologist, and can be found at sharpbrains.com. To read the findings from the National Institute of Mental Health visit our Science page. Click HERE to see how our brain-based Therapy can help children with ADHD.