Subjective evaluations of common childhood behaviors, such as losing things or not following instructions, often lead to a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. A recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry indicated that a medium daily dose of Adderall could more than triple the risk of a patient experiencing psychosis or mania, with high doses increasing that risk by an alarming 500%. Additionally, long-term use of ADHD medications may hinder children’s physical growth.
Adderall and Vyvanse, the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD, are amphetamines similar to methamphetamine, the notorious street drug. It’s puzzling why so many American parents choose to medicate their young children with these substances, aiming to control behavior—whatever happened to teaching self-control? If parents depend on medications to manage behavior, when will children learn to self-regulate?
It’s a troubling contradiction. After decades of discussions around the ethics of medicating kids, the outcomes appear to be negligible in the long run. As former children who were medicated now grow into adults, the landscape looks disheartening. The New York Times Magazine noted a significant rise in amphetamine prescriptions among adults, tripling over the past decade. This is concerning, given the potential for those long-term users to face catastrophic personal crises. I know someone who’s been on Adderall for years and is now struggling with serious life challenges, including homelessness and estrangement from family.
I’ve witnessed the dark side of amphetamine addiction firsthand, particularly with one of my sons. It turns individuals into people you barely recognize, unraveling lives in devastating ways—sleep deprivation, weight loss, and other physical decay are just the surface of a deeper problem. It raises an essential question: why would anyone choose to prescribe amphetamines to a young child?
An article titled “Did you think everything was wrong about ADHD?” in the April 2025 issue of The New York Times Magazine highlights the rising rate of ADHD diagnoses and challenges existing assumptions about the condition. A major study from the National Institute of Mental Health compared stimulant treatments against non-drug alternatives. The lead investigator grew cautious, noting that the positive effects of stimulant drugs tended to fade after three years, leading to skepticism about their long-term efficacy.
During this same period, the percentage of children diagnosed with ADHD has continued to skyrocket. It started at 3% in 1993, rose to 5.5% in 1997, then 6.6% in 2000, and last year peaked at 11.4%.
Despite the lack of definitive biological tests for ADHD, for 40 years, children and their parents have been led to believe that ADHD is a biological impairment that requires medication. This narrative makes parents feel pressured to medicate their children if they wish to ensure academic success. A review in The New York Times Magazine revealed several studies supporting the idea that medication has little impact on cognitive abilities or academic performance.
In response to rising concerns, President Trump established the Mark America Healthy (MAHA) Committee through an executive order, led by the Department of Health and Human Services. The committee aims to explore the reasons behind the deterioration of children’s health, identifying over-medication as a potential factor. Over the decades, there has been an alarming trend toward the unnecessary prescription of drugs to children, influenced heavily by corporate interests.
The MAHA Committee’s insights should be essential reading for any parent navigating ADHD medication for their children. It’s my hope that their future plans will include strong actions against the harmful prescribing practices surrounding ADHD.
