According to the article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Lindholm-Johnson and other parents must weigh potential side effects with improved school performance and behavior. Lindholm-Johnson told the newspaper that the family had to try several different medication regimens for their son because of side effects before finding the right routine.
Physicians and psychiatrists often treat ADHD with stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta, the article notes. Recently, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel urged that a “black box” warning be placed on all ADHD stimulants after receiving reports of deaths and cardiovascular issues among people taking the drugs. Last month, another FDA panel advised that the warning is not warranted, but suggested clearer warnings be given.
The latest debates over drug safety seems like old news to Lindholm-Johnson. “When it came around this time,” she said, “we had already weighed some of those concerns.” To read the Pioneer-Press story, please see Pioneer-Press.
Lindholm’s husband is Timothy Johnson, the associate professor of ministry and director of field education at North Park Theological Seminary.
