The efficacy, safety, and practicality of treatments for adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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.
Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina 29206, USA. SMITHBRAD@SC.EDU
B H
BH
Smith
D A
DA
Waschbusch
M T
MT
Willoughby
S
S
Evans
D000293:Adolescent; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants