The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder — or ADHD — is extremely common.
But the history of popular treatments is still
a mystery to many patients.
A child with ADHD has trouble focusing.
They're easily distracted, and their behavior
can be impulsive and disruptive.
In adults, less so, but the constant distraction
is still there.
Common sense says this person needs something
to settle them down.
Relax them.
Maybe Valium?
Or Xanax — a calming effect.
Turns out, the treatment is just the opposite.
Some of the popular ones are Adderall, Concerta,
Ritalin, Vyvanse.
There are others.
They each, which slight variations, increase
the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine
in the brain.
Those are neurotransmitters, which means they're
chemical messengers in the brain.
Dopamine is thought to play a role in memory
formation; norepinephrine has been linked
with attentiveness.
Imaging studies show that when you're on stimulant
medication, the area of the brain that handles
cognitive tasks is more active — zoned in.
There are possible side effects: feeling jittery,
mood swings, depression, dizziness, tics.
Some patients experience some of these, others
nothing at all.
The link between stimulants and academic tasks
is not new.
A 1937 study notes the positive impact on
school performance thanks to Benzedrine.
It was a name-brand amphetamine.
The New York Times connects that era to today:
There's certainly a big market for ADHD medications.
Partially due to diagnosis.
The number of kids officially diagnosed with
ADHD has been climbing pretty steadily since
1997.
Once the medical diagnosis is official, meds
can be legally dispensed.
In 2016, 5.4 million American children 2-17
years old had ADHD diagnoses, and almost two-thirds
were taking medication.
That's about 3.3 million American children.
Some patients say the drugs make their life
and work possible.
Others worry a new generation of kids is overmedicated
with the newest generation of amphetamines.
