Less ADHD medication prescribed

DAK study: In recent years, fewer ADHD drugs have been prescribed for toddlers, but more for children between 10 and 13 years old.

After numerous critical reports and studies on the allocation of excessive remedies for attention deficit disorder (ADHD), it seems that doctors have fewer medicines like Ritalin with the active ingredient „methylphenidate“ prescribed to children. However, at the same time an increase in drug prescriptions in older children is observed.

Less ADHD remedies for toddlers, but significantly more for children between 10 and 13 years
If children are restless and constantly press for movement, many educators, teachers and doctors often make the diagnosis prematurely „ADHD“. Accordingly, the allocation of ADHD remedies has risen sharply in recent years. Numerous studies as well as a clear criticism in the public seem to have led to a certain rethinking of young children. According to a study by the German health insurer DAK, the number of prescribed ADHD remedies in children between the ages of six and nine declined by almost 24 percent from the end of 2007 to the end of 2009. However, a marked increase in the prescriptions of so-called ADHD remedies has been reported among children between the ages of 10 and 13 years. In this age group, about 23 percent more ADHD drugs were prescribed.

Fast-acting ADHD diagnoses
According to a survey of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) in 2010, seven percent of parents in Germany believe that their child has the so-called attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This would mean that in every German school class, there were 28 children with two children with ADHD.

However, according to numerous health researchers and critics, such assumptions are less true. As the psychologist Johannes Klüsener warned in his time, "ADHD should not be used as a quick explanation for an exhausting child who does not behave according to parental, educational or social norms." Not everything that is conspicuous must also be pathological. "

According to the health insurance company DAK, around 130,000 prescriptions for ADHD medication were issued to DAK insured persons in 2009, of which about 30,000 were administered to the age group of 6 to 9 year olds. Professor Michael Schulte-Markwort from the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf was surprised by these new numbers. „The data are surprising to me, but very welcome“, so Schulte-Markwort. The psychiatrist himself is not „hesitant“ in the regulation of „methylphenidate“ containing medications. In a first diagnosis is first tried to help the child without drugs. First and foremost, psychotherapy is offered and support for the parents is initiated. Only if all the previous therapy offers do not work, medicines are also considered.

Long-term consequences have hardly been investigated so far
ADHD drugs usually contain the active ingredients „methylphenidate“ and „atomoxetine“. Well-known side effects include cardiovascular complaints, loss of appetite, difficulty falling asleep and growth disorders. Overdose can cause dizziness, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure and sleep problems. Some children also complain of abdominal pain, nausea and headache. There are still no studies available on the long-term effects of years of medication. In many cases, critics suspect that such investigations will not take place in order not to jeopardize the sales market of the remedies.

However, the ongoing criticism has led to a rethinking as a whole. The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) has decided that in the future there will be only limited approval for drugs such as Ritalin. Only specialists may prescribe methylphenidate-containing medicines to children. In addition, the drug therapy must be interrupted regularly to check the effects of the treatment. (sb, 01.10.2010)

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ADHD genetically conditioned?
ADHD: concentration through noise

Picture credits: Gaby Kempf