ADHD Treatment Works - Parents And Teens Finally Agree On Something

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 09 Mar 2005 - 9:00 PDT

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Families Credit Therapy with Better Grades, Higher Self-Esteem, Improved Relationships -

Families with teenagers diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) strongly believe that treating the condition can lead to significant improvements in school and at home, according to a new nationwide survey.

Roughly two-thirds of these parents (66%) and teenagers (61%) report their teen/they currently receive treatment for ADHD. Both groups credit their treatment - in the form of medication, counseling and/or behavior therapy, and school services - with contributing to better grades in school, higher self-esteem, improved social relationships and enhanced participation in extracurricular activities.

"ADHD amplifies the issues that all teens grapple with, such as heavy demands at school, more complicated social situations, and a growing desire for independence," said Michael Faenza, MSSW, President and CEO, National Mental Health Association (NMHA), the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and illness. "Therefore, it is critical that they receive the support and treatment needed to succeed during these critical years."

Before the families sought help, ADHD posed a major barrier to learning, self-confidence and relationships with other teens and adults. Most teens (77%) and parents (86%) reported that it was much or somewhat more difficult for teens with ADHD to do their best in school. Nearly three quarters of both groups stated that it was somewhat to very difficult for teenagers to feel happy/feel good about himself or herself. In addition, a majority of parents (69%) and teens (64%) found that it was somewhat to very difficult for teens to make new friends.

"Research shows that as many as 80 percent of children with ADHD exhibit persistent symptoms during adolescence, and 60 percent go on to display symptoms during adulthood," said David Goodman, M.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University. "Left untreated, many teenagers with ADHD experience academic impairment, driving-related incidents, and are at higher risk of substance abuse, encounters with law-enforcement, and consequent negative impact within the family."

After receiving help, parents and teens experienced tremendous progress in their lives. Nearly six in ten (56%) teens saw their grades get better. A majority of both groups (81% parents, 73% teenagers) reported some to a great deal of improvement in their ability to feel good/feel happy. In addition, the ability to make and keep friendships dramatically improved; most parents and teens reported some to a great deal of improvement in making new friends (70% parents, 61% teenagers) and getting along with friends (77% parents, 67% teenagers).

Additional survey findings include:

-- Teens with ADHD and parents share similar views about the disorder. Both groups accurately view it as a medical condition and behavioral problem (59% parents, 43% teenagers) and do not attribute ADHD to poor parenting or a lack of discipline.

-- More than one in three teens (37%) are embarrassed about having ADHD. Teens who are embarrassed are more likely to report being teased (68%) or treated differently by others (76%) than teens with ADHD who are not embarrassed by their diagnosis.

-- Among teenagers receiving treatment, therapy with prescription medications is nearly universal (97% parents, 95% teenagers). Nearly nine in 10 parents with a teen receiving treatment believe that prescription medication is the most effective treatment for AD/HD.

For additional survey findings and more information about ADHD, visit http://www.NMHA.org.

ABOUT THE SURVEY

The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive from July - August 2004, for the NMHA through a grant from McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals. The survey evaluated the responses of a nationwide sample of 268 parents of teenagers, ages 14 to 18, who have been diagnosed with ADHD and 265 teenagers, ages 14 to 18, who have been diagnosed with ADHD. Parents and teenagers were recruited independently and were not matched pairs (i.e., parents and teenagers from the same family).

ABOUT THE NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION

The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.

Chris Condayan
National Mental Health Association
(703) 838-7551
ccondayan@nmha.org
http://www.nmha.org

Amanda Mason
Fleishman-Hillard
(212) 453-2465
masona@fleishman.com

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