Benefits of Treating ADHD

Question 1

Obesity

Answer 1

Pooled prevalence of obesity in people medicated for ADHD is decreased 40% compared to those not medicated. This was not statistically significant and does not establish a clear benefit but there was one favorable naturalistic study. (Cortese et al, Am J Psych 2016)

Question 2

Academic benefits of psychostimulant treatment

Answer 2

In elementary, high school, and college students - patients with ADHD are less likely to reach the same academic level as their non-ADHD counterparts, even when they use stimulant medications. Lakhan and Kirchgessner 2012 from Weyandt and DuPaul 2006.

Question 3

Psychostimulant effects on cognition

Answer 3

On rote-learning tasks, performance is improved. Enhance cognitive control in some tasks for some people, especially those less likely to perform well. Some findings of enhancement and some null results for working memory; seems especially beneficial for those with low cognitive performance to start with.

Question 4

ADHD diagnoses predict future…

Answer 4

… functional impairment, even when researchers control for confounding factor such as SES, intelligence, and comorbid psychopathology (Lahey & Willcutt, 2010).