Wednesday, March 28, 2007

ADHD Drug Use Soars

If you've been following this blog or have spent any time on the ADHD Help Center website, you probably have heard me talking about the over-prescribing of ADHD drugs. Here's proof of that fact;

According to figures for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, the prescribing of ADHD drugs has nearly tripled between the years 1993 and 2003. With such a drastic rise in ADHD drug use, ADHD is on its way to become the leading childhood disorder treated with medications worldwide.

The amount spent on ADHD medication across the OECD increased ninefold, with 83% of that in the US. In 2003 the US spend $2.4 billion on ADHD drugs. The OECD includes the US, Ireland and many European countries.

So here's the question; Do you think that the incidence of ADHD has dramatically increased or do you think ADHD is simply the "in" disorder of this past decade? I am curious as to what all of you readers think. Let me know.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Parenting and ADHD

I know the subject of parenting and ADHD is a touchy subject. After all, we've been blamed enough for our ADHD child's poor behavior. So, please, don't shoot the messenger. I am only reporting on a study that looks at the role of parenting and ADHD...

"A mother's depression predicts whether children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) will develop conduct problems such as lying, fighting, bullying and stealing, according to a new study from a University of Maryland researcher. The study, published in the January 2007 issue of the American Psychological Association's journal, "Developmental Psychology," also found that early positive parenting during the preschool years predicted fewer conduct problems as the children grew to early adolescence. The strength of the findings led the researchers to conclude that maternal depression may be a risk factor, whereas positive parenting may be a protective factor.

"This research gives us clear targets for early intervention to prevent conduct problems in children with ADHD," says Andrea Chronis, director of the University of Maryland ADHD Program and professor of psychology who served as lead author on the paper. "In the real world, this could have important implications..."