From the ArcaMax Publishing, Parents Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/parents/s-574467-993009
BUFFALO, N.Y. (UPI) -- U.S. researchers find a placebo effect, not in
children taking the medication for attention deficit-hyperactive
disorder, but in the adults in their lives.
The review of existing studies evaluating whether placebos produce
significant changes in children with ADHD -- published in the Journal
of Development & Behavioral Pediatrics -- suggests teachers, parents
and other adults tend to view and treat more favorably children who
they think are receiving medication, whether or not medication is
actually involved.
The University at Buffalo researchers define a placebo effect as a
positive change in symptoms or behavior when a patient receives a
"fake" medication or procedure. Belief in the medicine may become the
medicine.
"We speculate that the perception that a child is receiving ADHD
medication may bring about a shift in attitude in a teacher or
caregiver. They may have a more positive view of the child, which
could create a better relationship," review leader Daniel Waschbusch
says in a statement.
"If teachers treat children more positively if they think they are on
medication, that is a good thing. But if the child's medication is
increased because caregivers think it is effective, that may not be a
good thing."