As of 2007 in the United States, 66.3 percent of 4 to 17 year old children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) take medication for the condition, which includes stimulant medications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Several types of stimulant medications exist, include amphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat). These medications increase the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which helps with the symptoms of ADHD. But they have some side effects, such as a decreased appetite and sleep problems, and can be abused as “performance enhancers.”
Here are Bright Hub, find crucial information on these various medications, including what conditions they are used to treat, what their side effects are and the pros and cons of using stimulant medications as a treatment method.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Sponge, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ritalin-SR-20mg-full.jpg