What population is most likely to take drugs for ADHD/ADD?

[B2G]

Young males. Probably heavily white. I'm beginning to wonder about effects of these drugs. It will be interesting to see in Holmes was taking any of these.

[Duer 157099]

1. I read one report saying he was on Vicodin

[B2G]

2. I read that too

But it had to be more than that. Every drug prescribed for ADD lists aggression & mood swings as a possible side effect. See that he was such an academic overachiever, I wouldn't be surprised if there was adderall or ritilan use in his past.

I'm sure they'll be going over his med history with a fine tooth comb.

[mzteris]

3. not usually at the age.

Fairly rare - but becoming more common - for adults to be on such medication.

Those who need it - NEED it. Yes, prescribed too often to those who do NOT qualify for it technically - but still nothing to do with this. UNLESS he was abusing the drug and not taking it as prescribed - then maybe it was a contributing factor.

And no - I think it would have absolutely NOTHING to do with it.

He had mental health issues. Obviously. And FWIW - ADHD/ADD is not a "mental health issue".

[B2G]

4. Adderall is very popular with college kids

They claim it helps them concentrate for long periods of time.

Look up the side effects of those drugs. Aggression and mood swings are prominently pointed out.

[mzteris]

6. Ridiculous.

Adderall only helps you concentrate if you are actually ADD/ADHD... Otherwise, it ain't gonna work. It'll make you "high" in a particular way, but in no way will Adderall help a person who does NOT suffer from ADD/ADHD with concentration.

A medical doctor who is prescribing Aderall would be monitoring side effects. Someone abusing the drug, buying elsewhere will have no such safeguards.

It's a legitimate drug that does a whole lot of good for those who need it and for whom it works. (There are other drugs available as well.)

[B2G]

9. Ridiculoous? Really?

You post: "A medical doctor who is prescribing Aderall would be monitoring side effects. Someone abusing the drug, buying elsewhere will have no such safeguards."

No kidding. He took vicodan a few hours before the shooting. We have no idea what else he might have been taking, with or without a prescription. And mom is a nurse.

Dismissing this out of hand is what's ridiculous. Drugs do a great deal of good, but they can also do a great deal of harm in not monitored closely. Eric Harris was on Luvox, an SSRI which has been linked to violence as well.

[HopeHoops]

5. Despite the tendency to lump them together, ADHD and ADD are quite different.

Adderall is NOT appropriate for ADD.

[mzteris]

7. I'd forgotten that. Thanks.

Except, what about girls with the atypical presentation of the "H" in ADHD. It used to be used - but that was quite a while back. Admittedly I haven't kept up with the research.

[HopeHoops]

8. It's a pretty major difference. I had a shrink prescribe Adderall and I'm ADD, not ADHD. AND...

... it resulted in my running through the neighborhood in my underwear. I'm thinking this might not have been the best prescription I've ever had.

[Peepsite]

10. The population with

The GOOD health insurance most likely.