The Effects of Stimulant Medication on Children With ADHD

Stimulant medication (such as Ritalin or Adderall) can appear to be a miracle drug for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Stimulant medication can have many positive effects, enabling children with ADHD to succeed in school and life.

Hyperactivity

• Stimulant medication has the effect of calming hyperactivity in children with ADHD. With stimulant medication, hyperactive children are able to sit still and exercise body control.

Focus

• Stimulant medication enables children with ADHD to focus, even when the task is not particularly interesting to the child. ADHD children on stimulant medication are not as easily distracted.

Weight Loss

• One side effect of stimulant medication is loss of appetite. Children taking stimulant medication often lose weight because they have no desire to eat until after the medication wears off.

Insomnia

• Stimulant medication often makes sleep a challenge. Children with ADHD who are taking stimulant medication often need sleep aids to fall asleep at a reasonable hour.

Weighing the Effects

• Parents of children with ADHD must decide whether the benefits of stimulant medication outweigh the negative effects. Talk with your child's doctor about how to minimize the negative effects.

Warning

• Stimulant medication can be dangerous (and potentially fatal) for children with heart disease. If your child or family has a history of heart disease, tell the doctor before taking stimulant medication.