Hyperactivity supposedly causes weight gain. According to a study recently conducted on two groups of men aged 41, it was discovered that those who had been diagnosed as ADHD carried almost 20 extra pounds, compared to those men free of the psychiatric label.
But antidepressants are often used in conjunction with ADHD drugs to treat hyperactivity. One of the major side effects of antidepressants is weight gain. In fact, up to 25% of all people on antidepressants gain weight.
One wonders if the men (formerly diagnosed with ADHD) who participated in the study were on antidepressants. Was this question ever asked, or, like many other psychiatric studies, were the results skewed to favor the questionable diagnosis of ADHD causing weight gain, and encourage the use of pharmaceuticals to treat the condition? (According to their “study” those treated with their pharmaceuticals do not gain weight. In fact they may lose weight at an alarming rate, as mentioned later in this post)
And since adult depression can be a side effect of ADHD drugs in childhood, the likelihood of this being a factor in the men’s overweight condition increases. Again, no mention of this in the supposed “study.”
Interestingly, ADHD drugs are well known to cause severe and unhealthy weight loss.
A woman on one forum for mothers posted this alarming comment:
“My 8 1/2 year old son was diagnosed 18 months ago with ADHD. He was initially on Ritalin for 8 months but we saw no change so he was put on concerta 18mg once a day, we tried this for awhile but eventually had to increase the dosage to 36mg …”
“The problem is he has gone from a healthy looking child to looking anorexic; you can see all his ribs, his collar bones and if I put my hand around his lower leg I can touch my largest finger and thumb together.
“HELP PLEASE he looks shocking can ADHD meds do this?”
I assume this mother would be interested in this partial list of other side effects that can be caused by ADHD drugs:

• Suicidal thoughts or action
• Anxiety and stress
• Cardiovascular problems
• Stomach Problems
• Dizziness
• Tics
• Bruising
• Skin problems

Whether or not a condition known as ADHD actually exists is in serious question.
One 2010 study conducted at Colorado University showed that 150 teenagers diagnosed with ADHD were given inactive sugar pills (they were told it was a Ritalin type drug) and a bit of talk therapy. Interestingly, their symptoms vanished.
In another study, children were given a placebo pill and their parents and teachers were told they were on a drug to control their ADHD. Dr. Daniel Waschbusch from Florida International University led the research. He remarked, “Thinking a child has received medication may induce positive expectations in parents and teachers. In turn, this may influence how parents and teachers evaluate and behave towards the children.” The resulting “placebo effect” in this study proves the point once again.
There is laboratory evidence that the use of ADHD drugs on adolescents may cause memory damage and depression in their adult years. Of course it is illegal to test a drug on a child to prove this point.
Instead, we have mass dosing of this dangerous drug on an entire population of children, and call it treatment instead of the Nazi-like experimentation it really is.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2141044/ADHD-Ritalin-prescriptions-soaring-experts-warn-effects.html