| Myth: |
Medication will cure my child of ADHD.
|
| Fact: |
There is no medication that will "cure" ADHD. Medications for ADHD are different than things
like antibiotics. Antibiotic are taken for a short period and then can be stopped. Medications
for ADHD only work when taken. If a child stops taking the medication, symptoms will begin again.
|
| Myth: |
Taking ADHD medication leads to addiction.
|
| Fact: |
Children prescribed ADHD medications rarely become addicted to it. These children are actually
less likely to have substance abuse problems later in life.
However, ADHD medication can be misused by others. Children should not give or sell their medication
to others. Parents need to monitor their child's medication use. Parents also need to keep the medication
in a secure place.
|
| Myth: |
Giving children ADHD medications leads to heart problems and can even cause sudden cardiac death.
|
| Fact: |
There have been rare reports of heart problems and sudden cardiac death in children taking ADHD
medications. Investigations by the FDA were not conclusive about these cases. It seems a lot these
children already had a heart condition. For healthy children, taking ADHD medications generally does not
increase the risk of sudden cardiac death or stroke. Children with a heart condition should not take ADHD medications.
|
| Myth: |
Children only need to take ADHD medications when they are in school.
|
| Fact: |
Symptoms of ADHD do not disappear when children are out of school. Most doctors recommend children with
ADHD be on the medication for most of the day. Doctors may recommend taking breaks from the medication
(for example, when out of school) to reduce negative side effects. |
| Myth: |
ADHD medication causes bipolar disorder.
|
| Fact: |
ADHD medications do not cause bipolar disorder. Children that already have bipolar disorder
should not take ADHD medication, however. ADHD medications can make symptoms of bipolar worse.
|
| Myth: |
Responding well to a stimulant drug proves that a child has ADHD
|
| Fact: |
Stimulants help many people to focus and pay attention. This is whether or not they
have ADHD. The improvement is more noticeable in people with ADHD.
|
| Myth: |
Medication should be stopped when the child reaches adolescence.
|
| Fact: |
About 80 percent of those who needed medication as children need it as teens.
Fifty percent of these children still need it as adults. The need for medication relates
more to the kind of work the individual ends up doing, not just that they are older. |
| Myth: |
Stimulants cause strange or sedating effects.
|
| Fact: |
Stimulants don't make children more tired. They make children more alert to things
that would normally bore them. One example is routines during the school day. |
