Barn och ungdomars erfarenheter av läkemedelsbehandling vid ADHD : vägar till delaktighet

Abstract

Background: There is evidence that drug treatment with stimulant medications have positive effect on the core symptoms of ADHD. Despite extensive research in this area there are still few studies that deal with children's own experiences.

Purpose: To highlight children and adolescent’s experiences of drug treatment for ADHD.

Method: The study was conducted as a prospective study in the form of a survey which 31 children and adolescents with ADHD in the age of 9-18 responded. The answers were fed into SPSS and presented descriptively question by question in four different themes.

Results: The results showed that most of the respondents had a positive image of the ADHD medication. 25 of 31 respondents agreed with the statement that they believe that medicine is a good treatment. It was seen that all took their medication as they were supposed to, but the majority needed help by their parents. Those surveyed experienced few troubles with traditional views on medication. Positive effects were reported more clearly than the negative effects.

Conclusion: This study showed that children and adolescents who are under medication for ADHD were in favor of drug therapy and had both positive and negative experiences. The medicine had particularly positive effects on concentration and hyperactivity. Overall, the positive effects were described more frequently than the negative. Most respondents reported that they can be open about their disability in relation to its surroundings, and no one has been teased for taking ADHD-medication. The parents had an important role in supporting the child regarding compliance with treatment. To highlight children and adolescent’s experiences of drug treatment leads to increased knowledge and understanding, which can contribute to a better adapted treatment .