Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T20:48:19.477Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Stimulant medication in ADHD: what do children and their parents say?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Catherine McElearney ,
Carol Fitzpatrick ,
Niamh Farrell ,
Mary King  and
Bryan Lynch
Carol Fitzpatrick
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University College Dublin
Bryan Lynch
Affiliation:
The Children's, University Hospital, Temple St, Dublin 1, Ireland
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives: The prescription of stimulant medication to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder remains topical. Few reports target children's views about taking long-term medication. The aim was to assess child and parent views of stimulant medication. To compare attitudes to medication between two groups of children, those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder taking stimulant medication and those with epilepsy taking anti-epileptic medication.

Method: Forty children (n = 40) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on stimulant medication, and 40 children (n = 40) with epilepsy on anti-epileptic medication formed the study population. A semi-structured interview was carried out with each child and parent. Each parent completed the Dosage and Side-effects Questionnaire and the Attitude to Medication Questionnaire. Each child completed the Attitude to Medication Questionnaire.

Results: Sixty per cent of children (n = 24) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 62.5% (n = 25) of those with epilepsy knew the name and purpose of their medication. Forty per cent (n = 16) of children in the stimulant group and 32.5% (n = 13) in the anti-epileptic group reported themselves as being non-compliant with medication. In both groups children reported positive aspects to taking medication. More children with epilepsy reported negative aspects. Only 32.5% (n = 13) of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder said that they would tell a friend about their medication, while 55% (n = 22) of the children with epilepsy indicated that they would do so. In both groups parents were better informed than their children were about the purpose of the medication. Parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder tended to be more positive about medication than their children and than the parents in the comparison group.

Conclusions: The majority of children and their parents express positive views about the stimulant medication. Children's views about medication compliance and side-effects should be sought, as they may differ significantly from those of their parents. Where parents have noticed positive changes, but children have not, this information can be used therapeutically to help children feel more in control of their behaviour.

Keywords

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)ComplianceStimulantsAttitudeEpilepsy
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , March 2005 , pp. 5 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Kehoe, WA. Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Ann Pharmacother 2001; 35(9): 1130–4.Google Scholar
2.Taylor, E. Development of Clinical Services for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999; 56: 1097–99.Google Scholar
3.Barkley, RA. Attention Deficit Disorder, a Handbook for Diagnosis & Treatment. Guilford Press, New York.Google Scholar
4.The MTA Co-operative Group. A 14 month randomised trial of treatment strategies for ADHD. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999; 56: 1073–86.Google Scholar
5.Efron, D. Jarman, F C. Barker, MJ. Child and parent perceptions of stimulant medication treatment in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Paediatr Child Health 1998; 34(3): 288–92.Google Scholar
6.Cookson, J, Taylor, D, Katona, C. Use of Drugs in Psychiatry. GaskellGoogle Scholar
7.Practice Parameter for the use of stimulant medications in the treatment of Children, adolescents and adults. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2002; 41 (2).Google Scholar
8.Corbet, JA, Trimble, NR, Nicol, TC. Behavioural and cognitive impairment in children with epilepsy: the long-term effects of anticonvulsant toxicity. J Am Acad Child Psychiatry 1985; 24: 17–23.Google Scholar
9.Post, R. Psychopharmacology of mood stabilisers in schizophrenia and mood disorders. The New Drug therapies in clinical practice. Butterworth Heineman, 1999: 127–54.Google Scholar
10.Wolf, SM, Shinnar, S, Kang, Het al.Gabapentin toxicity in children manifesting as behavioural changes. Epilepsia 1995; 36: 1203–5.Google Scholar
11 .Ghaziuddin, N, King, C A, Hovey, JD, Zaccagnini, J, Ghaziuddin, M. Medication noncompliance in adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Child Psychiat Human Dev 1999; 30(2): 103–10.Google Scholar
12.Signorielli, N. The stigma of mental illness on television. J Broadcasting Electronic Media 1989; 33: 325–31.Google Scholar
13.Centerwall, BS. Television and violence. J Am Med Assoc 1992; 267: 3059–63.Google Scholar
14.Diefenbach, DL. The portrayal of mental illness on prime time television. J Community Psychology 1997; 25: 289–302.Google Scholar
15. The ICD-10 classification of mental and behavioural disorders clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines. 1992.Google Scholar
16.McNeal, RE, Roberts, MC, Barone, VJ. Mother's and children's perceptions of medication for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2000; 30(3): 173–87.Google Scholar
17.Demyttenaere, K. Non-compliance with antidepressants; who's to blame? Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1998; 13: 19–26.Google Scholar
18.Wilson, C, Nairn, R, Coverdale, J, Panapa, A. How mental illness is portrayed in children's TV. A prospective study. Br J Psychiatry 2000; 176: 440–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar