Reply To: Article in the Wall Street Journal about ADHD meds and grades

[Bibliophile]

The difference that biphentin (long-acting methylphenidate) has made for my son’s school performance and ability to read has been incredible. Yes, this is anecdotal, but everyone (family and school) sees a huge shift, especially on those days where we forget.

One way of interpreting the findings is that the medicine proves effective on immediate classroom behaviors like sitting still and interrupting the teacher less, but it doesn’t help with other factors important to successful completion of homework or test-taking, like family encouragement.

I fail to see why the journalist/researchers would expect medicine to even have an effect on the latter. Especially when most long-acting doses are wearing off by late afternoon, when many kids get home from daycares.

The problem with the article is that it questions the medications as if they are a CURE for ADHD, when they are simply another tool in the toolbox for dealing with its symptoms.

The comment at the end mirrors my experience with Adderall; it helps tremendously with focusing but is indiscriminate about what I focus on. It is up to me to ensure that what I am doing is appropriate at the moment.

Basically, medicines can help but do not eliminate the condition. Nothing does.

Sometimes what researchers are focusing on seems like make-work projects.

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