Rising Sun Psychotherapy & Nuevo Amanecer
Michele Boudreau, PhD, MFT, LMHC, NCC

Limits & Benefits of Medication
 

 

A major obstacle to treatment for hyperactivity and attention deficits is the
refusal of people or a key figure in their lives (parent, teacher, or spouse)
to accept the diagnosis. They may think that labels of ADHD and ADD are
excuses for laziness, the wrong values, or not trying hard enough. Even if
this hurdle is passed, there may be resistance to the use of drugs. Making
the decision to take medication and measuring its effectiveness stands a
much better chance with a full understanding of its limits and benefits:  

Limits and Benefits

          Medication Can Help                 Medication Does Not Help

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
































 

 

 

(Table adapted from  Beyond Retalin by Stephen Garber, Marianne D.
Garber, and Robyn F. Spizman (Harper Perennial, 1994). Starred items are
not true in all cases.)

SELF-MONITORING

In mild cases, self-monitoring may eliminate the need for medication; with
more difficult problems, it can pick up where medication leaves off. Self-
ratings of behavior can be compared with that of a buddy or coach who has
good organizational and social skills and is capable of being objective and
positive. In turn, people with ADD can rate buddies who serve as models for
appropriate behavior. Learning internal dialogues is also important—“I
stayed on task”; “I did what I said I’d do.” It is best to work on one area at a
time.

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Academic & Job Performance

 

  • Improve quiz and test scores.

 

  • Improve visual memory and
    handwriting.*

 

  • Increase accuracy of work.

 

  • Increase amount of work
    completed.

 

  • Decrease frustration.

 

  • Increase task orientation and
    attention span.

 

Behavior

 

  • Improve compliance to rules.

 

  • Increase delay of gratification.

 

  • Increase effectiveness of
    rewards.

 

  • Improve responsiveness to
    punishment.

 

  • Decrease overall activity level.

 

  • Increase ability to sit still
    longer.

 

Organization

 

  • Increase effective use of time.

 

  • Decrease distractibility.

 

Social Skills

 

  • Decreased aggression.

 

  • Decrease impulsivity and
    disruptiveness.

 

  • Decrease negativity and reactivity.

 

  • Improve ability to “fit in."

  • Improve achievement test scores.

 

  • Improve comprehension.*

 

  • Replace core skills missed in the past.

  • Change defeatist attitudes

 

  • Correct learning disabilities
    (but may improve attention
    for special instruction).

 

  • Supply the will to conform or
    comply.

 

  • Motivate people to attain
    goals.

 

  • Teach decision-making skills.

 

  • Teach where to place
    attention.

 

  • Teach how to relax.

 

  • Improve sleep.

 

  • Teach organization and
    graceful transitions.

 

  • Improve short-term memory.*

 

  • Teach conversation and
    relating skills.

 

  • Improve self-esteem or
    confidence.

 

  • Teach anger control.

 

  • Reduce stigma of taking
    medication.

 
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