These observational studies also showed positive correlations between early recognition of the disorder , stimulant treatment during childhood and favorable long-term outcome in adult ADHD patients .
In conclusion , stimulant therapy of ADHD has long-term beneficial effects and is well tolerated .
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is a common disorder of childhood that often persists into adulthood .
Although stimulant medications are recommended as the first-line treatment for ADHD because of their documented short-term effects in children and adults , less is known about their effects on long-term outcome in adults .
Here we review the long-term efficacy and safety of the stimulant drugs methylpheni date and amphetamine , as well as the related compound atomoxetine .
We performed a systematic review to identify direct and indirect effects of stimulant therapy on long-term outcome in adults .
Young adult outcome of hyperactive children who received long-term stimulant treatment.
Prospect i ve young adult outcomes ( mean age 21.8 years ) of children who had been diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and who had been treated with methylpheni date for at least 3 years were compared with those of a matched normal control group and a group of hyperactive young adults who had not received any stimulant treatment .  Results suggest that in many areas , e.g. , school , work , and personality disorders , stimulant-treated hyperactives function significantly worse than matched normal controls but similar to untreated hyperactives . In some areas , e.g. , less car accidents , more positive view of childhood , later delinquency , and better social skills and self-esteem , stimulant-treated hyperactives did better than their untreated counterparts . Thus stimulant treatment for hyperactive children may not eliminate educational work or life difficulties , but may result in less social ostracism and improved feelings toward themselves and others
These observational studies also showed positive correlations between early recognition of the disorder , stimulant treatment during childhood and favorable long-term outcome in adult ADHD patients .
In conclusion , stimulant therapy of ADHD has long-term beneficial effects and is well tolerated .
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is a common disorder of childhood that often persists into adulthood .
Although stimulant medications are recommended as the first-line treatment for ADHD because of their documented short-term effects in children and adults , less is known about their effects on long-term outcome in adults .
Here we review the long-term efficacy and safety of the stimulant drugs methylpheni date and amphetamine , as well as the related compound atomoxetine .
We performed a systematic review to identify direct and indirect effects of stimulant therapy on long-term outcome in adults .