Araujo 1

Alexandria Araujo
Mr. Chavez
English II Honors/ Block B
22 May 2013

The Effect of Stimulant Medications and Treatments for ADD and ADHD

Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects

much of the worlds adolescent population today, about 9.0% of boys and 3.3% of girls
are diagnosed with this deficit. This deficit affects the behavior of people and how well
they can hold their attention. These deficits have become more widespread in our world
today and there still arent answers about what would be most beneficial to treat this.
Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder holds the
characteristics of various levels of attention and hyperactivity, which can be taken care of
with an assortment of treatments including drug and massage therapy. Treating Attention
Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with massage therapy is
more beneficial than drug therapy because of it being a natural alternative.
Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADD
and ADHD, are both known as a condition affecting as many as three to six percent of
all youth, and is characterized by developmentally inappropriate degrees of inattention,
impulsiveness, and hyperactivity (Field, et al.). This condition is commonly known in
todays society and is seen as difficulty with giving full attention to a subject. Within the
past few years knowledge of the subject has become more apparent than ever before.

Araujo 2
Researchers are working to gather information on the matter and what can be diagnosed
to benefit the deficit at hand.
Various treatments for this deficit have arisen over the past fifteen years
(Armstrong) including drug therapy and performance enhancing techniques. Some of the
drug therapy methods include Ritalin (Swanson, et al.) and the use of methylphenidate or
d-amphetamine (Field, et al.). Ritalin is the trade name for the drug methylphenidate
(Cavendish 764) Ritalin has been found to increase the ability of ADD patients
to focus attention and to reduce the impulsivity and behavioral disruptions the disorder
can produce (764). Ritalin is prescribed to cause people diagnosed with ADD to have
more of an ease focusing. Methylphenidate and d-amphetamine are considered psycho
stimulants which alter the concentration of a person but has greater side effects (Field et
al.).
Different behavior modifying techniques include: massage therapy and relaxation
therapy. Massage therapy has also been noted to decrease off-task behavior in children
diagnosed as autistic. It was hypothesized here that massage therapy would lower the
activity level of adolescents with ADHD (Field, et al.). Relaxation therapy found to
reduce anxiety and activity levels in child and adolescent psychiatric patients (Field).
These forms of drug and behavior therapy although being able to increase focus
of attention there are still side effects and drawbacks to these forms of care. First, the
precautions for drug therapy include appetite loss and insomnia (Field et al.), what should
be expected:
1. Temporary Management of Diagnostic Symptoms: a. Over Activity b.
Inattention c. Impulsivity 2. Temporary Improvement of Associated

Araujo 3
Features a. Deportment b. Aggression c. Social Interactions d. Academic
Productivity (Swanson et al.)
and, what should not be expected:
1. Paradoxical response a. Response of normal children are in same
directions b. Responses of normal adults in same directions c. Responses
of affected adults and children are similar (Swanson et al.).
The effects of massage therapy are adolescents feeling happier with this method
compared to methods of drug use, results of more arranged sleep, lower stress hormones,
lower activity level, and reduced anxiety (Field et al).
Although drug therapy has seen results of improvement within children, this is not
always true. Some side effects of the medication have been viewed us ineffective. 10 to
20 percent of kids diagnosed with ADHD and started on medication dont show
improvement (Jacobelli 18) and even if the medication is effective it is stated of the 70
to 80 percent who do show improvement, some experience side effects severe enough
that the medication is discontinued (18). Although severe side effects can be included,
James M. Swanson states that, Drugs do absolutely nothing for 25% to 40%...of
hyperactive children he also states that many children who are placed on Ritalin
improve just as well as they would improve on a placebo (Swanson 98).
Another form of a device used to measure a childs performance tasks is a tool
that examines a childs attentiveness throughout the test (Armstrong). One example of
this diagnostic tool would be a CPT instrument called a Gordon Diagnostic System, or a
GDS. This is an Orwellian device that is made up of a plastic box with a huge button on
the front and an electronic display above it that flashes a series of random digits. The

Araujo 4
child is told to press the button every time a 1 is followed by a 9. The box then
records the number of hits and misses (Armstrong). The use of this tool with
children in todays world is highly questionable (Armstrong).
Due to drug therapys controversy with treating ADD and ADHD: either it
working, working but having side effects, or working as well as placebos; there are
natural alternatives and exercises that are becoming more common to use for its a much
safer alternative. Below is a list of different teaching methods in which children with
Attention Deficit Disorder learn and that by working with it can help lessen the
symptoms of ADD; Overview of Seven Strengths:
[1] Logical-Mathematical (The Problem Solver): ... [childs] ability to
manipulate numbers and use logic to solve problems. [2] BodilyKinesthetic (The Physical Learner): enjoy physical activities, such as
dancing, acting, or playing physical pretend games. [3] Intrapersonal
(Knows Thyself): enjoy spending time alone, learning about feelings,
or hearing or writing about the inner workings of others. [4] Interpersonal
(Relates Well to Others): individual may be very compassionate
(Armstrong, 1993). [5] Musical-Rhythmic (Likes Rhythms and Rhymes):
The child who is a strong musical-rhythmic learner is likely to appreciate
music, rhymes, and jingles. [6] Visual-Spatial (Seeing Is Believing):
enjoy activities such as daydreaming, pretending to be invisible, imagining
themselves to be on a great adventure to a magical place, or drawing or
coloring. [7] Vernal-Linguistic (Has a Way with Words): enjoy listening
to and telling stories, keeping journals, debating about their beliefs, and

Araujo 5
having fun with word games. [8] Naturalist (Connected to Nature):
enjoy collecting and have a fascination at an early age, with fossils, shells,
bugs, feathers, butterflies, and rocks. (Jacobelli 60, 61, 62, 63)
Many parents are very concerned with giving their children medication that may
or may not be detrimental to their health. Here is some reasoning as to why parents are
troubled with treating their child with medication:
First, many parents have difficulty coming to terms with the fact that their
childs behavior problems have a physical rather than psychological
basis They may believe that in the area of behavior what is
psychological can easily be remedied whereas what is physical cannot
(Wender 68).
The parents may believe that if it is psychological then the child can be seen by a
psychologist but if it is an incurable illness then they can grow fearsome.
A second reason parents sometimes object to treatment with medication
is that such treatment seems artificial. Unlike pneumonia, ADHD has
no one-shot cure. Medication in necessary unless and until the brain
through its own growth and development begins producing adequate
amounts of the required chemicals (69). A third reason parents
sometimes object to the medication is that they fear the child will become
dependent on it. First, they fear that the medication is a substance
currently feared as a drug abuse. A second form of dependency that
parents sometimes fear is the need for the continuing use of medication to
handle problems. (69/70).

Araujo 6
The stimulant drugs commonly used for drug therapy include: Dexedrine and
Desoxyn which are amphetamines, Ritalin which is a methylphenidate, Cylert a
pemoline, and Adderall which is most recent.

Adderall is a combination of two

amphetamines and its dose is thought by some to last for a longer time than Dexedrine
and Desoxyn (Wender 72). Cylert, also known as pemoline, is known as the second
drug choice to use only if the first choice was not effective. 1996 there had been at least
thirteen cases of acute liver failure and eleven deaths in patients taking Cylert (73).
Parents have become concerned with giving their children these stimulants for their
dangerous side effects but Paul H. Wender states, Stimulant drugs have a much different
effect in ADHD children than they do in normal adults. These drugs in general calm
down ADHD children and sometimes (rarely) they may even become somewhat sad.
Children do not become addicted to these medications; there is absolutely no danger that
this will occur (73).
In accordance with stimulant drugs come the short-term and long-term effects of
the medication. These effects are specifically found in the drug Ritalin, a member of the
amphetamine family. The short-term effects include a reduction in appetite, an increase
of agitation, and constricted pupils. When mistreating Ritalin anxiety and paranoia can
occur with abuse however with ADD patients Ritalin has the opposite effect. When
taking therapeutic doses of Ritalin Attention Deficit Disorder patients receive a calming
effect from the drug. Long-term effects for the use of Ritalin include the increased
chances of persons having seizures or cardiovascular measures. In cases with overdosing,
withdrawing from the medication can cause depressive affairs. (Cavendish 764.)

Araujo 7
Parents also continue wondering if it is worth giving their children these drugs
because of its effectiveness. When the stimulant drugs are effective they improve may
symptoms of the syndrome. ADHD children generally (1) become calmer and less active;
(2) develop a longer span of attention; (3) become less stubborn and easier to manage
(they mind better); (4) are often more sensitive to the needs of others (6) experience
fewer emotional ups and downs (7) show a decrease in impulsivity (8) demonstrate an
improvement in school performance (10) become less disorganized (Wender 74).
Using massage therapy opposed to drug therapy is seen to be safer and more
effective when treating ADD and ADHD. First drug therapy is seen to give side effects
such as: having seizures or cardiovascular measures, appetite loss, insomnia, increase of
agitation, constricted pupils, over activity, inattention, impulsivity, and temporary
improvement of associated features, deportment, aggression, social interactions and
academic productivity. Parents are also found with many concerns on the idea of putting
their children on a drug. Some of the parents concerns would be that it is an artificial
treatment of the deficit and the fear of drug abuse or misuse. Although drug therapy can
have positive effects on children diagnosed with ADD or ADHD massage therapy was
found to reduce anxiety and activity levels. Massage therapy has been seen to make
adolescents happier after unlike in drug therapy. The effects of using massage therapy
include: more arranged sleep, lower stress hormones, lower activity level, and reduced
anxiety.
The effect of stimulant medications in children to treat ADD or ADHD does not
produce high results opposed to using natural methods. Massage therapy stimulates
happier and more calming results for this deficit. Massage therapy also puts parents

Araujo 8
minds at ease about the common well being of their child. Many parents main concern is
the negative effects of treatment to resolve this attention deficit. Such as ridding of the
deficit but gaining appetite loss or sleep insomnia in place of it.
Various methods have been tested to compare stimulants versus the natural
alternative such as: a diagnostic tool that is a CPT instrument called a Gordon Diagnostic
System, or a GDS, and Ritalin. The machine measures the childs attentiveness by a
series of mind activities whereas Ritalin includes short-term and long-term effects. The
short-term effects of using Ritalin include a reduction in appetite, an increase of agitation,
and constricted pupils. The long-term effects for using Ritalin include an increased
chance of persons having seizures or cardiovascular measures. Both methods are used to
treat the deficit but the difference is that one includes side effects that can be harmful to
your health.
It was also stated that one-fourth of children who were placed on a placebo
improved just as much as they did on Ritalin showing no true improvement with the drug
stimulant. If there is the possibility of the child improving due to drug stimulants many
children are taken off of the stimulant medication due to the harsh side effects that have
occurred.
Stimulant medications do show improved behavior in a childs attention span but
they can also be detrimental to other areas of their health because of their side effects.
Natural methods, such as massage therapy, do show a childs attention span to improve as
well except without side effects or areas of concern. Although stimulant medications can
improve the behavior in a child with ADD and/or ADHD, natural methods such as

Araujo 9
massage therapy are found to show greater improvement due to it being safer and
reducing the anxiety level of the child.

Araujo 10
Works Cited
Armstrong, Thomas. ADD: Does It Really Exist? Phi Delta Kappan. (February 1996)
Questia
School. Web. 4 March 2013
Cavendish, Marshall. Drugs and SocietyVolume 3 (2006) Questia School. Web. 20
March
2013
Field M. Tiffany, Quintino Olga et al. Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder Benefit from Massage Therapy Adolescence (Spring 1998) Questia
School. Web. 4 March 2013
Frank Jacobelli, L.A. Watson. ADD/ADHD Drug Free: Natural Alternatives and
Practical
Exercises to Help Your Child Focus Book Details. Questia School. Web. 4
March 2013
Swanson M. James, McBurnett Keith et al. Effect of Stimulant Medication on Children
with
Attention Deficit Disorder: A Review of Reviews, Exceptional Children
(October-November 1993) Questia School. Web. 2 March 2013
Wender H. Paul. ADHD: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and
Adults
(2000) Questia School. Web. 20 March 2013.
Szatmari Peter, Offord R. David, Boyle H. Michael. Ontario Child Health Study:
Prevalence of

Araujo 11
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity. Journal of Child Psychology and
Psychiatry: Volume 30, Issue 2, pages 219-233, March 1989 (7 December 2006)
Google Scholar. 10 April 2013.