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ADHD Meds Have Placebo Effect--For Caregivers

New study shows that parents and teachers may have a change in attitude toward a child who is perceived to be taking ADHD meds.

Tuesday June 30th - 2:49pm

New research at the University of Buffalo suggests that popular medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as Ritalin and Adderall, produce a placebo effect in the people who surround the ADHD child.

“We speculate that the perception that a child is receiving ADHD medication may bring about a shift in attitude in a teacher or caregiver. They may have a more positive view of the child, which could create a better relationship” said UB researcher Daniel A. Waschbusch, Ph.D., lead author of the review.

A better relationship can be beneficial to the child, however, there are also cons to the placebo effect, which include increasing the amount of ineffective medicine.

To get a more in-depth analysis of the effects of real medication, researchers next plan to observe parents' and children’s reactions under three conditions: after the children receive a real pill, receive a placebo, and receive no pill, said Waschbusch.

Read more about the study.

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