The Efficacy, Safety, and Practicality of Treatments for Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Authors: Smith B.H.¹; Waschbusch D.A.²; Willoughby M.T.³; Evans S.⁴

Source: Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, Volume 3, Number 4, December 2000 , pp. 243-267(25)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Studies examining interventions for adolescents diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were reviewed to evaluate their efficacy. These efficacy findings were supplemented with a preliminary system for judging safety and practicality. Results suggest that the stimulant drug methylphenidate (MPH) is safe and well-established empirically, but has some problems with inconvenience and noncompliance. Preliminary research supports the efficacy, safety, and practicality of some psychotherapeutic interventions, including behavioral classroom interventions, note-taking training, and family therapy. Treatment with tricyclic antidepressants was judged to have minimal empirical support and debatable safety. Very little is known about long-term effectiveness of treatments, long-term compliance, or multimodal treatments for adolescents such as stimulants plus behavior therapy.

Keywords: ADHD; adolescent; hyperactive; inattentive; stimulant; teen; treatment

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina SMITHBRAD@SC.EDU 2: Assistant Professor, Dalhouse University 3: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina 4: Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, James Madison University

Publication date: 2000-12-01