A new study looked at the perception of misusing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication in order to get ahead, reports a press release from the American Academy of Pediatrics.  Preliminary findings from the study were presented Saturday, May 3 at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

According to the study, one in five Ivy League students reported misusing a prescription stimulant that is normally intended for individuals with ADHD.  The misuse was for the purpose of getting ahead in classes.  Meanwhile, one in three students did not view this kind of practice as cheating.

The Detroit Free Press reports that many schools have not yet acknowledged the growing use of these stimulant medications on their campuses.  The lead author of the study concedes that, while his work focused on Ivy League students, this is not necessarily a problem that is different or unique to Ivy League universities.

The vast majority of those who misuse ADHD drugs get them from people who have been diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed the drugs.  Students may be pressured by friends to share medication.  Currently, there are few academic ramifications for such behaviors.  However, this is changing.  Duke University, for example, has a strict policy against misuse in its student honor code.

The National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) describe ADHD as a common childhood disorder that can continue through adolescence and adulthood.  Symptoms of ADHD include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity.  Scientists are not sure what causes ADHD, although many studies suggest that genes play a large role.  Like many other illnesses, ADHD probably results from a combination of factors.

The most common type of medication used for treating ADHD is a stimulant.  Although it may seem unusual to treat ADHD with a medication considered a stimulant, it actually has a calming effect on children with ADHD.  In addition to medication, treatments for ADHD include various types of psychotherapy, education or training, or a combination of treatments.  These methods only work to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and improving functioning.