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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has often criticized prescription stimulants, such as Adderall, that are primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “We have damaged this entire generation,” he said during a podcast, referring to the number of children taking psychiatric medications. “We have poisoned them.”
In February, the “Make America Healthy Again” commission, led by Mr. Kennedy, announced plans to evaluate the “threat” posed by drugs like prescription stimulants.
But are they a threat? And if so, to whom?
Like many medications, prescription stimulants have potential side effects, and there are people who misuse them. Yet these drugs are also considered some of the most effective and well-researched treatments that psychiatry has to offer, said Dr. Jeffrey H. Newcorn, the director of the Division of A.D.H.D. and Learning Disorders at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.
For some users, the effects are profound. “It’s like glasses for poor vision,” Dr. Rostain said.
Are stimulants always used to treat A.D.H.D.?
No. Not everyone who has been diagnosed with A.D.H.D. takes stimulants. There are also non-stimulant medications, like Strattera (atomoxetine). And some people don’t require any medication at all.
Other interventions, such as behavioral therapy, parent training, school supports, and lifestyle changes to regulate sleep and exercise, are important — regardless of whether someone needs medication or not.
