How Effective Are Ritalin and Dexedrine in Treating the Symptoms of ADHD?

Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant medication, such as Ritalin and Dexedrine in their various forms, in treating the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders in children, teens, and adults. Even though stimulants are not the only effective option in the treatment of the disorder, stimulants may be a good choice, and their use should be discussed with your physician.

Over the couse of these newsletters we will be presenting information on the relative effectiveness of the three most effective treatment options: Stimulants, EEG Biofeedback training, and ATTEND homeopathic nutriceutical medicine.

A study by Rossiter and La Vaque which used the same protocols that we used in our clinical studies with ATTEND compared the effectiveness of Ritalin (stimulants) to EEG Biofeedback training.. They used the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) as the measuring instrument to determine change in performance after using either medications of EEG Biofeedback training for 30 days. The TOVA is a computerized Continuous Performance Test (CPT) that has no placebo effective, and has no bias (such ahs you might see with parent rating scales).

A Comparison of EEG Biofeedback and Psychostimulants in Treating Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders. Thomas P. Rossiter, and Theodore J. La Vaque. Journal of Neurotherapy, 1, Summer 1995

Stimulant medications showed "statistically significant improvements" in all categories (a five point improvement is "statistically significant" with the TOVA test). The stimulants used were Ritalin and Dexedrine, and these were the results after 30 days of use.

The use of stimulants are often a good choice, and should always be considered when developing a treatment plan. Should they always be the first choice? Not necessarily, unless the situation is so difficult, or change must be see immediately, that there are no other choices.

As you will see in later issues, the use of EEG Biofeedback training, and/or the use of ATTEND (a nutriceutical medicine using amino acids, essential fatty acids, lipid complexes, and homeopathic medicines) along with some improvements in diet, can also be as effective as the use of stimulants.

Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.

---

What is Prenatal Intelligence?

Prenatal intelligence, also known as fetal intelligence, has become a... Read More

Attaboy! Encouraging Phrases That Build Confidence

Home, home on the range, Where never is heard A... Read More

Will My Doubts and Fears Affect My Child?

"Will my doubts and fears affect my child?" This father... Read More

Top Ten Common Sense Rules for Fathers

There are a lot of sophisticated parenting theories and techniques... Read More

Remember The Generation Gap?

The techniques of managing relationships between parents and their children... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: 6 Tips for Dealing with Bad Report Cards

One of the basic issues we need to understand is... Read More

Parents --- Your Childrens Report Card May Be Rigged

Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More

Book Review: The Ring Bear Depicts Turmoil of Becoming A Stepchild

In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More

I WONT DO IT! Tips for Working with the Oppositional Child

"I WON'T DO IT!" "YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"Whether parent or... Read More

Elephants and Teenagers

Something eerily familiar happened in KwaZulu-Natal's Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in Africa... Read More

Create a Story Book with Your Child

A fun way to build your child's imaginationWriting is still... Read More

Role Models for Your Teen

By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More

Minimizing Homework Hassles

John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comParents ? Minimize Homework Hassles?It's... Read More

Childhood Obesity

Economist John Kenneth Galbraith has said that more people die... Read More

People of the Century by Dan Rather

Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More

How To Teach Your Children Love

I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More

?I?M OVERWHELMED? -- 5 Tips On How Parents Can Take Control Of Their Lives

Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More

Career Education: Does Not Mean the 6 Year College Plan

Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More

Ten Ways To Become Your Teenagers Best Friend

Best friends! It may seem impossible to believe, but today's... Read More

Blended Families Can Be Successful

Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It... Read More

Give Your Child the Gift of Self-Esteem

Much has been said about the "gifted child" but in... Read More

Intermission: Wood Chips

I wanted to share with you one of the most... Read More

Bird Flu Pandemic

What are the easiest things citizens can do to prevent... Read More

How To Live With Your Teenagers Untidy Room

'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More

Stroller Safety Tips

Strollers offer a wonderful and convenient service to parents and... Read More

Spend Time Not Money With The Kids This Winter

Spending quality time with your children doesn't need to cost... Read More

Late Night Adventures with Your Children

Vacations are fun ! Weekends with the family are nice.... Read More

Backpacks and Bullies. Is Your Child Prepared?

As the flurry of Back to School activities subside, parents... Read More

How Public Schools Lie to Parents and Betray Our Children

Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More

Teaching Children Good Manners

Last week in my newsletter, I mentioned that... Read More

Surprise ? Public School Class Size Doesnt Matter Very Much

School authorities often complain that classes are too large. They... Read More

Loving Your Step-Children

Loving your step-child can be both simple and hard. It... Read More

How to Assist Troubled Teens

What parents of a teen haven't wondered where their sweet... Read More