Brittany Rosenblatt
Medaille College
Erika Hamman
Capstone II
Abstract
Attention- deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is normally treated with medication that dulls
the senses. However in recent studies it has been shown that there is a correlation between
exercise and a decrease in ADHD activity. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder is a
“persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning
or development”. Typically adhd is treated with medications; however these medications cause
severe side effects and make the people on them feel drugged and slowed down. In recent studies
there were shown benefits in using exercise as a substitute or in addition to medication. This
article focuses on three major studies to show the vast benefits of using exercise as a alternative
medicine. With the evidence shown in previous experiments regarding ADHD it is believed that
parents should start by realizing that their child isn’t trying to be problematic and disregarding to
rules. Some researchers think that adolescents with ADHD would benefit best from a
combination from exercise, yoga, and medication.
How exercise and physical activity helps calm ADHD
Attention- deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is normally treated with medication that dulls
the senses. However in recent studies it has been shown that there is a correlation between
exercise and a decrease in ADHD activity. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder is a
“persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning
or development” (American Psychiatric Association). According to the DSM-5 an individual to
under the category of inattentive must possess six or more of the following symptoms for at least
a span of six months that strays from the normal developmental level and negatively impacts
their daily life both academically and occupationally (American Psychiatric Association). These
symptoms includes: making careless mistakes and lacking attention to detail, lacking the ability
to sustain attention in tasks, lacking listening abilities, loss of focus and easily sidetracked,
difficulty following instructions, difficulty organizing, avoidance or dislike of tasks that involve
sustained mental effort, often misplaces or losing of things that are important, easily distracted,
and often forgets important daily tasks (American Psychiatric Association). According to the
DSM-5 for an individual to be categorized as hyperactive and impulsive ADHD they have to
possess six or more of the following symptoms for at least a span of six months that strays from
the normal developmental level and negatively impacts their daily life both academically and
occupationally (American Psychiatric Association). These symptoms includes: fidgets, leaves
seat at inappropriate times, feels restless, climbs or runs at inappropriate times, lacks the ability
to engage in leisure activities in a quiet manner, talks excessively, always on the go/lacks ability
to be still, blurts out answer before the question is completely asked, has difficulty waiting
patiently/ or their turn, and often intrudes on others or interrupts (American Psychiatric
Association). According to the DSM-5 several of the symptoms for both categories are present
prior to the age of 12 and symptoms typically are present in multiple settings (American
Psychiatric Association).
Typically ADHD is treated with medication these include stimulants and non- stimulants, this is
also sometimes paired with psychotherapy. Both doctors and parents tend to want to lean to
using medications to help suppress ADHD symptoms. Stimulants that are typically used include
Ritalin, Adderall, According to Gureasko-Moore stimulant medication are typically associated
with positive results, it is approximated that roughly 70% of children there are positive results
(Gureasko-Moore). However there are typically side effects to these stimuli. The trade off from
the side effects includes a wide range of social, psychological, physiologic, and behavioral
effects (Meaux). According to Jennifer Stroh parents see more benefits from the medication than
the children taking them do. A large portion of children reported seeing little to no benefits to
taking the medication, while parents reported positive changes (Stroh). Meaux, Hester, Smith,
Shoptaw did a study to gain information on stimulant medication used to treat children and
adolescents with ADHD (Meaux). Another problem to thee
This study presented a unique outcome subject of the idea of “tradeoffs” or side effects that are
experienced with these stimulants. Meaux explains Attention Deficit- hyperactivity disorder is a
neurobehavioral disorder. Stimulant medication really saw an increase in prescription in the
1980’s (Meaux). It was found in 2005 by the Center for Disease Control roughly 56% of children
diagnosed with ADHD are treated with stimulants (Meaux). While stimulant are proven to be
effect they have severe side effects. Mild side effects of Ritalin are feeling somber or mellow.
One female participant explained feeling like everything was in slow motion, she explains she
felt like she was watching school go by (Meaux). One male admitted to Ritalin helping him
focus in class it also made it so he just really didn’t care (Meaux). Another female participant
talks about how the Ritalin made her feel monotone while it was never a terrible day it was also
never a great day (Meaux). A few participants found that when they took their medication
consistently they found socializing hard and felt clammed up and wouldn’t talk to anyone and
felt like they lacked friends. It was discovered that those prescribed a stimulant at an older age
experienced a more positive insight they found it helped them learn and be more aware of their
interrupting of people, however some people mentioned that it didn’t occur right away and they
had to work on it but they think the medication did have an effect on their mentality about it.
However while they report being more contentiously about their behaviors with interrupting they
experienced evoked emotional side effects, this occurred in several of the patients. In regards
comes to physical side effects these include problems with sleep, appetite, decreased growth;