Study Finds No Causal Link Between ADHD Medication and Psychosis
New research shows that stimulant medications for ADHD do not cause psychosis in children. The study highlights that previous links were confounded by shared risk factors, reaffirming the safety of these treatments.
Recent research indicates that stimulant medications used for treating Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) do not increase the risk of psychotic episodes in children. The comprehensive study analyzed the health records of nearly 8,400 children involved in an adolescent brain development project in the United States, recruited between 2016 and 2018. Of these children, just under 6% had been prescribed stimulant medications.
Initial results suggested that children on stimulants had a 46% increased risk of experiencing psychosis. However, further analysis revealed a bidirectional association: children who experienced psychotic episodes were also more likely to be prescribed stimulants later. When researchers adjusted for this reciprocal relationship, they found no significant evidence linking the use of ADHD medications to the development of psychosis.
The research, published in the journal a Pediatrics, led by Dr. Ian Kelleher from the University of Edinburgh, points out that earlier perceived links may have been confounded by shared risk factors. Children with more severe ADHD symptoms and additional mental health issues are both more likely to be prescribed stimulants and to experience psychotic symptoms. Therefore, the study concludes that stimulant medications are not causally related to psychosis, and the observed associations are likely due to underlying shared factors.
These findings reassure that ADHD stimulant treatments remain safe concerning psychotic risks, emphasizing the importance of considering the broader mental health context when evaluating these medications.
[Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-link-adhd-meds-psychosis.html]
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