As the new school year starts across the country, parents and guardians of children with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are once again faced with the added challenge of trying to locate ADHD medicine amidst the ongoing shortage.
Last Fall, the Food and Drug Administration announced a nationwide shortage of Adderall, a medication used to treat A.D.H.D. that has been in increasingly growing demand in recent years. Now, nearly a year later, some patients are still struggling to find the medicine and feeling frustrated and longing for the relief the medicine provides.
As one parent interviewed by the New York Times stated, her son had a “taste of what relief could look like,” which seems an especially cruel change in situation for children.
ADHD medicine is especially important for school-age children who rely on it to help them stay focused, reduce impulsivity, listen, and have a successful educational experience. The latter benefit is crucial and can greatly affect self-esteem and long-term school success.
The New York Times reported that “A.D.H.D., which is often characterized by inattention, disorganization, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. Because of the medication shortage, children across the country with the condition fell behind in their schoolwork over the spring, and their relationships often suffered as they struggled to regulate their emotions, according to interviews with multiple doctors and parents. Meanwhile, they all wonder: Why is this happening, and when will it end?”
ADHD remains an important focus area for BRAINWeek, which will feature the topic in its upcoming conference. Read more about the medication shortage in the NYT article.
