Narrator:
When 6th grader Brett Johnson was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, his mother was heartsick.
Tamara Cannida, Brett's Mother:
I cried. I was upset, you know, and I was like, why my child?
Narrator:
She didn't want her 11-year-old on psychiatric drugs. But it was what the doctor ordered, so she agreed.
Tamara Cannida, Brett's Mother:
I struggled with it, but I knew that maybe it could help him in the long run.
Narrator:
It's a dilemma playing out in more and more American homes. Is a child's behavior really a medical problem? Are the drugs to treat it addictive?
Brett Johnson:
See you after school.
Narrator:
Doctors say A-D-H-D occurs when there's an imbalance in brain chemicals. The affected child becomes impulsive, fidgety and can't pay attention, causing problems at home and at school.
Behavior therapy is often the first course of treatment. If that doesn't work, medication is suggested.
And that worries parents, even though some studies suggest the drugs help up 90 percent of patients.
Mark Riddle, MD, Child Psychiatrist, Johns Hopkins Hospital:
The stimulant medicines for example, work very quickly. You may see an effect the first day.
Narrator:
Doctor Mark Riddle runs the child psychiatry department at Johns Hopkins. He admits the long-term effects of A-D-H-D drugs are unknown, but, without treatment kids may suffer more.
Mark Riddle, MD, Child Psychiatrist, Johns Hopkins Hospital:
If they can't do their homework, feel stupid, where they're not stupid.
Feel that they're bad kids because they're getting into trouble with their behaviors.
I think that could be worse than the effects of medication.
Brett Johnson:
Bye mom.
Narrator:
There is no simple test for A-D-H-D. The diagnosis is based on observations from parents and teachers.
Mark Riddle, MD, Child Psychiatrist, Johns Hopkins Hospital:
I would suggest to parents that they would want their clinician to not only see their child,
but to collect careful, thoughtful information about what's going on at home and what's going on at school.
Randy Geyer, Teacher, Magnolia Middle School:
Wonderful. Now let's go ahead and check out your home ec.
Narrator:
Special education teacher Randy Geyer (GI-yer) sees a lot of students with A-D-H-D.
Randy Geyer, Teacher, Magnolia Middle School:
That's probably the biggest issue that I feel that teachers have
Narrator:
He says what he sees as a big factor among kids who do well in class is strong parental support.
Randy Geyer, Teacher, Magnolia Middle School:
There are a number of students who are in this school right now that are identified as ADHD
but are not enrolled in special ed, simply because the medication is working, the parents are very structured and supportive to their child and that's a big thing.
Narrator:
And it's paying off for Brett.
Tamara Cannida, Brett's Mother:
He's doing a lot better... a lot better.
Randy Geyer, Teacher, Magnolia Middle School:
Sounds good.
Narrator:
For WebMD, I'm Damon Meharg.
