BMJ  2004;329 (16 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7471.0-e

Use of stimulants for ADHD: is it always right?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may generate poor self esteem and affect a child's development and functioning. Medical treatment with stimulants, and behavioural treatment, may be useful, but who should be treated and how? In a "For and Against" article (p 907), Coghill says that ADHD is undertreated: in England and Wales only 30% of children with the most severe form of the condition are treated. Markovich argues that current uncertainties about diagnosis and treatment mean that doctors should be more cautious about prescribing psychoactive drugs—if we were to follow American guidelines, as many as 17% of all children would be treated.

Credit: VEER/PHOTONICA

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Use of stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: FOR

David Coghill
BMJ 2004 329: 907-908. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]