Introduction:

The past decades have seen a rise in the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD and the medicalization of the disease, according to Kristjansson, (2009).

Black, Milman, and Sussman (2009) note that using sitting meditation practices with youth is an efficacious intervention and Zylowska, Ackerman, Yang, Futrell, Horton, Hale, and Smalley, (2008) have completed a pilot study with adults and adolescents using a form of mindfulness intervention.

Singh, Lancioni, Joy, Winton, Sabaawi, Wahler, and Singh, (2007) and Singh, Wahler, Adkins, and Myers, (2003) use mindfulness based interventions with success with populations with aggression.

This paper will examine the use of mindfulness-based interventions for youth with ADHD symptoms as an alternative to methylphenidate.

Mindfulness-based interventions and methylphenidate for the control of ADHD in youth approach the problem in similar ways in that they both work neurobiologically in similar fashions on similar areas of the brain.

Both interventions work on both affected populations and typical populations.

However, whereas methylphenidate is the first-line treatment for ADHD, mindfulness based interventions have only begun to be studied.

Methylphenidate has decades of proven efficacy for ADHD, whereas mindfulness based interventions do not.

Methylphenidate is considered optimal as a short term treatment, whereas mindfulness is considered a lifestyle, with treatment benefits being long lasting.

By systematically reviewing the criteria mentioned above, I hope to show that mindfulness is a potentially efficacious intervention for ADHD in youth, which should be further studied. At the same time, mindfulness holds no potential for unknown long-term negative effects, no harmful side effects, and no potential for harm.

Because of the potential of over diagnosis of ADHD in youth Kristjansson (2009), I am concerned that when this is coupled with over medicalization, children may be harmed.

I am concerned that, as Timimi, (2009), notes, a vulnerable population may be taken advantage of by unethical companies.

Though mindfulness based research for adolescents and children is in its infancy, with very few studies completed, the further study holds promise, if only because there are 20% of individuals with ADHD for whom stimulant medication does not work.

There is also the long term treatment of individuals with ADHD to consider. With 60% of cases continuing into adulthood, what should rightly be considered a short term intervention often lasts much longer.

The potential benefits of a mindfulness based intervention are important to consider as well.

Individuals using mindfulness receive the added benefits of controlling their behavior and not being controlled by it, and also by receiving the feeling of well being that is part of a mindfulness based program.

Further, when the entire family is treated, there are added benefits of greater family cohesiveness, which are not possible with methylphenidate.

If you are interested in reading the rest of my paper on this subject, here is the .pdf:

Mindfulness vs Methylphenidate

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