Benefits of ADHD medication outweigh health risks, study finds

www.theguardian.com

Summary

A new international study led by the University of Southampton found ADHD medications cause small increases in blood pressure and heart rate but offer overall benefits that outweigh these risks.

Researchers emphasized careful monitoring, especially for patients with heart conditions. Both stimulant and non-stimulant medications showed similar cardiovascular effects, except guanfacine, which lowered blood pressure.

Experts noted the drugs improve academic performance, reduce mortality risk, and lower chances of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

Prescriptions have surged post-pandemic, but misconceptions about ADHD treatments still persist, experts warned.

8 comments

Never downplay the risks of amphetamines. They exist and they are real.
Having taken Adderall for the better part of 20 years, I have experienced the gambit of long-term amphetamine use. It's mostly gastrointestinal, if you were curious. Unfortunately, I have had to stop due my resting blood pressure being at +180/110 (that is bad). Without a doubt, Adderall was playing a part in that. I am not overweight, have a decent diet, etc. Still, there are other significant changes I am making as like I said, Adderall played a part in this and wasn't the end all, be all.
But, I do agree with the intent of the article. The benefits are significant when someone is diagnosed properly. Stress and anxiety is just as real, after all.
When taken properly, there is almost no risk of withdrawal issues. I stopped taking them about 2 weeks ago with zero problems. No withdrawal, no cravings. I have been as high as 80mg per day and would currently be at 40mg.
But, I am not you. Everyone reacts differently and has different lifestyles. My point is not to have anyone disregard this post, but realize that "a low chance" is not "no chance".
- I am curious about other life choices you are making. Could there any other confounding factors ? To be forthcoming, I am diagnosed but not medicated.
  
  I have been a lifelong nerd, so that has involved sitting in front of a screen for a good number of years. With that, comes excessive caffeine use and a healthy dose of stress and anxiety.
  What is the most annoying is that I completely gave up all booze a couple of years ago trying to get ahead of any serious health issues. My alcohol (mis)use absolutely is not to be understated. I was a drunk, plain and simple, and finding hidden damage was inevitable, I speculate.
  My resting pulse has always been insane since I was a child at a casual (/s) 95bpm. Heat disease does run in my family.
  This is a compound problem, and I am not exactly a spring chicken anymore.
  To answer your question directly, caffeine intake has been reduced significantly and daily walks are starting to become a thing. My diet was never horrible and TBH, I could use a couple of extra pounds. (Things like soft drinks and fast food have been rare in my life for quite a while now.) Sleep habits have been getting positively adjusted for a couple of years already.
  So, with all of that, I cannot and will not place the blame fully on Adderall. However, my lifestyle issues aren't uncommon with other people with ADHD. Drug and alcohol abuse is common for people that remain untreated, unfortunately. If anything, I theorize that I am within most averages of other people on the spectrum.
  Edit: Oh yeah, smoking. I have been vaping for a good number of years already and only had a few drags of a real cig at a Paul Van Dyk concert the other night. But yeah, nicotine is getting expunged shorty. TBH, eliminating caffeine has been worse: I'll still get massive, migraine-grade headaches without at least a mitigating dose.
- Damn. I was on a 2.5mg dose of Focalin which my psychiatrist said is very low, so hopefully I don't have any issues. But I do not take it every day anymore since I retired recently and I have a lot of days where I can just fuck off and not need that level of focus. I haven't had any withdrawal effects at all that I've noticed after taking it daily for about 18 months.
- Claiming there will be no withdrawal symptoms when taking it properly is factually incorrect.
  Just because you didn't experience them doesn't mean others won't. They might not be at the level of meth withdrawals, but they definitely exist.
  
  Hence, the first sentence and last paragraph. Everyone reacts differently.
  I attempted to insert caveats where applicable. If I missed one in your opinion, I apologize.

8 comments