Week 4 | Signature Assignment - Part 2: Ineffectiveness

Week 4 | Signature Assignment - Part 2: Ineffectiveness Shelby Durbin Los Angeles Pacific University PSYC 370 Monday Sep 30, 2024 1 Week 4 | Signature Assignment - Part 2: Ineffectiveness Adderall is a prescription drug used in the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy. This is a stimulant that influences chemicals in the brain and nerves, contributing to hyperactivity and impulse control. Though Adderall is very effective in managing symptoms of ADHD, one must remember its side effects: tachycardia, anxiety, and probable addiction to the said medication. Because of this, a consultation from a doctor before taking Adderall is very much important. A healthcare professional will correctly diagnose the condition, evaluate risks, and monitor use to make sure that it is safe for a person's needs and effective. Adderall is primarily a stimulant medication used in the treatment of ADHD. It has an excellent reputation for promoting attention, enhancing focus, and strengthening impulse control. Adderall works by impacting neurotransmitter activity within the brain, specifically dopamine and norepinephrine, which then improves cognitive functioning and allows the individual with ADHD to conduct themselves more appropriately. Although many studies indeed support its effectiveness in reducing the challenges of ADHD, other studies have called into question its long-term efficacy and the possibility of negative side effects. Evidence Supporting Adderall’s Effectiveness While there is substantial clinical research in support of its effectiveness, Adderall treats the symptoms of ADHD. In a comparative meta-analysis of various stimulant medications, Faraone and Buitelaar (2010) note that Adderall treatment markedly improved core symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity among patients with ADHD. This study reviewed several RCTs and found that subjects who were administered Adderall had larger symptom control compared to placebo patients. These consistent results come both in the child and adult populations, serving to identify Adderall's wide applicability. This was further confirmed in another study conducted by Biederman et al. in 2002, which proved the effectiveness of Adderall to ADHD in children. A total of three hundred twenty-seven (327) subjects participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial where all were aged children, aged 6 to 12 years. After the subjects were administered with Adderall, the improvements were great in attention, behavior, and completion of tasks. Observing the effects of the medication, the experts noted that aside from the fact that Adderall helps children focus, it also allows them to improve their academic performance and diminish the disturbances in the school setting. Improvement was also significantly noted by teachers and parents in the overall functioning of children, suggesting that the benefits of this medication extended into naturalistic settings as well. 2 Week 4 | Signature Assignment - Part 2: Ineffectiveness Aside from the studies that were conducted on children, Adderall has been useful among adults who are afflicted by ADHD. Spencer et al. (2006) held a longitudinal study wherein adults with ADHD diagnoses have been followed and the research allowed for the proof that Adderall is effective in maintaining symptom control long-term. The results of the study indicated that individuals who had received the drug had significantly improved their efforts to conduct tasks, manage their organization and focus on work. These findings suggest that Adderall is of significant benefit both in school and at work, thus enhancing the quality of life for ADHD patients. Evidence Questioning Adderall’s Ineffectiveness While some research indicates questions about the long-term effect of Adderall and possible side effects of the medication, other studies have questioned the claims of long-term ineffectiveness with the medication. For example, while the development tolerance has been a concern, it has also been shown that this can be medically managed appropriately. Although certain individuals develop a tolerance to stimulant medications, a study by Swanson et al. (2007) shows that appropriate dose adjustments and regular medical supervision can maintain therapeutic benefits of Adderall. That means it would not be inevitable for its effectiveness to wear off over time and that, with watchful eyes, Adderall can be maintained as a treatment in keeping ADHD symptoms under control. Furthermore, the MTA of ADHD-a study generally cited as evidence that medication by itself may have no long-term benefits-noted that stimulant medications such as Adderall were highly effective in symptom relief for the short and medium runs. Indeed, children receiving Adderall or similar medication in the 2009 report by the MTA Cooperative Group showed a significantly greater reduction of ADHD symptoms compared to those receiving behavioral modification alone. The findings of the present study support the view that adding medication to behavioral interventions produces superior results, but that, over time, Adderall alone remains exceedingly effective in maintaining core ADHD symptoms, particularly when other supportive therapies are incorporated. Moreover, the safety problems and side effects related to Adderall, like its dependency and misuse issues, can be avoided if prescription practices are carried out appropriately and the patient is suitably educated. Lakhan and Kirchgessner (2012) presented information on the risks of misusing stimulants; however, they have underlined that users of Adderall, in cases of prescription by a doctor and when medical control is duly provided, can get its benefits safely. The study also maintained that 3 Week 4 | Signature Assignment - Part 2: Ineffectiveness most cases of adverse effects take place in abuse or prescriptions outside the medical realm, which again indicates that the medication remains efficient and safe when taken appropriately. Such findings question the belief that Adderall is inefficient or risks may be due to the drug itself and point out a very important aspect-that of responsible use and monitoring. Based on such findings, one may say that in light of good prescription and maintenance, Adderall works; claims of its inefficiency might be blown out of proportion. By addressing such issues as tolerance, combination treatments, and proper usage, Adderall can continue to be of help to the ADHD patient. Adderall’s Impact On Different Populations Racial, gender, and age variation is an important aspect of research on Adderall since these factors influence the drug's efficacy as well as its safety to a great degree. While there is a wide prescription of Adderall across populations for ADHD, evidence has shown that the effect may differ because of underlying genetic, hormonal, and developmental differences. All these factors will help in proposing better treatment options for ADHD, given the knowledge of how race, gender, and age influence the different aspects of Adderall's effectiveness and safety. Race Research on racial differences in the action of Adderall is scarce but so far suggests that socioeconomic and cultural factors are more influential in access to and perception about treatment for ADHD than in the pharmacological response to it. Morgan et al. (2013) demonstrated striking racial inequalities in ADHD diagnosis and treatment; it was found that compared to White children, the Black and Hispanic children are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and medicated with Adderall. This would suggest there is a possibility of ADHD being underdiagnosed and undertreated within the minority population due to barriers regarding access to health care, stigma, and cultural perceptions of mental health. Other factors that may form the basis for pharmacogenetic research include genetic differences among racial groups that could further impact the way in which individuals metabolize and respond to a stimulant medication such as Adderall. There are variations within metabolic enzymes that may allow the formation of a basis for modification in drug effectiveness or side effects. These genetic variations need further research to establish whether they significantly alter the therapeutic response to Adderall based on race. Evidence at present thus supports the hypothesis that while Adderall may prove effective across all races, disparities in access to treatment and diagnosis are higher 4 Week 4 | Signature Assignment - Part 2: Ineffectiveness concerns than biological response differences. Gender The difference between genders on the outcomes of Adderall may be more pronounced, much more due to the hormonal involvement. ADHD has generally been differently diagnosed in both males and females; males are more likely to display symptoms of being hyperactive or impulsive, while females display inattentive symptoms more often. Quinn and Madhoo's 2014 the study commented that this gender disparity could also have an impact on how symptoms are treated, with boys receiving prescriptions for stimulant medications like Adderall more often.This might also be influenced by hormonal changes, most especially in women. For example, changes in estrogen levels associated with puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause may alter the metabolism and absorption of the stimulant medication. Indeed, there is limited evidence suggesting that symptom severity varies across the menstrual cycle and that medication response may be similarly moderated by gender-specific factors among females, thus constituting a difference in how Adderall works among females. This requires a more personalized approach to dosage and treatment in females with ADHD. Age Age plays an important role in the efficacy and safety of a medication, such as Adderall. Children and teenagers, whose brains and bodies are still developing, and react much differently to the medication compared with adults. Signs that indicate the use of Adderall usually points to problems in school, especially regarding attention and behavior. Some of them, such as Biederman et al. 2002, have confirmed the efficiency and excellence of Adderall in eliminating ADHD symptoms among children by enhancing their attention span, behavior, and academic Performance. However, adolescents do pose some special challenges. Changes in hormones and brain development during adolescence can easily affect both the efficacy and side effects of Adderall. Adolescents are at a greater risk of misusing the stimulant medications, which lately has grown as a concern. Indeed, studies show that Adderall, though effective in treating ADHD during adolescence, carries a higher risk of abuse, especially among highly competitive school settings. Adderall has been shown to create a reduction in symptoms of ADHD for the adult, along with amplifying focus, organization, and completion of work-related or daily living tasks. These may involve heart rate and blood pressure elevation. This requires 5 Week 4 | Signature Assignment - Part 2: Ineffectiveness closely monitoring the adult who has other co-occurring health problems. Also, over time, the possibility of cardiovascular-related side effects may continue to rise, so that dosing adjustments or substituting other pharmacological interventions might be warranted. The effect of Adderall runs variedly on populations of different demographics, which is related to race, gender, and age; yet the research still has not been sufficient to make a final verdict on. On one hand, racial disparities in ADHD diagnosis and access to treatment raise immense concern; while, on the other hand, there exist some gender-specific hormonal influences which may have an impact on an individual's response to the medication. Accounting for such disparities in treatment may not only enhance outcomes but also further minimize risks so that Adderall continues to be an effective and safe medication for ADHD in a wide array of populations. In conclusion, Adderall is widely regarded as an effective treatment for ADHD, with substantial evidence supporting its ability to reduce symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in both children and adults. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Adderall can lead to improved academic performance, better behavioral control, and enhanced quality of life in the short term. However, concerns about tolerance, long-term efficacy, and potential side effects raise questions about the drug's sustainability as a treatment option. As such, it is essential for healthcare providers to carefully monitor patients on Adderall and consider alternative treatments or combined approaches to ensure the best outcomes, particularly over the long term. References Biederman, J., Wilens, T., Mick, E., Spencer, T. J., & Faraone, S. V. (2002). A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Adderall® in the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 110(2), 258-266. Faraone, S. V., & Buitelaar, J. K. (2010). Comparing the efficacy of stimulants for ADHD in children and adolescents using meta-analysis. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 19(4), 353-364. Lakhan, S. E., & Kirchgessner, A. (2012). Prescription stimulants in individuals with and without ADHD: Misuse, cognitive impact, and adverse effects. Brain and Behavior, 2(5), 661-677. MTA Cooperative Group. (2009). The MTA at 8 years: Prospective follow-up of children treated for combined-type ADHD in a multisite study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(5), 484-500. Spencer, T. J., Biederman, J., Wilens, T. E., & Faraone, S. V. (2006). Long-term safety and effectiveness of mixed amphetamine salts in the treatment of ADHD. Pediatrics, 118(4), 1611-1619. Swanson, J. M., Arnold, L. E., Molina, B. S., Sibley, M. H., & Hechtman, L. (2007). Stimulant medication and long-term outcomes of ADHD: The Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (MTA) at 36 months. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(7), 945-952.