ADHD Medication May Low Crime Rates!

Amy Taylor November 23, 2012

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People with attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are undergoing medication are less likely to commit a crime, Swedish researchers found.  

Attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder is a common disorder that affects many children in western countries. Symptoms include impulsive behaviours and the inability to focus attention. While ADHD is more common in youngsters, some adults also exhibit similar symptoms.

Past studies have shown an association between ADHD and criminal behaviour. In fact, it is estimated that teens and adults with this disorder are four to seven times more likely to break the law.

From the data gathered from the Swedish National Register, the researchers studied 25,656 patients ages 15 and older who have been diagnosed with ADHD. Court and prison records of patients who were charged for breaking the law between 2006 and 2008 were tracked to know whether or not they were getting treatments during the time they committed the crime. The researchers also compared the prevalence of crime in patients who were receiving treatments with those who were not.

Their findings show that male patients who took medication had a significant reduction of 32% in their likelihood to commit a crime, while female patients had a reduction of 41%. 37% of men who didn’t take medication were convicted at least once during a four-year period while only 9% were convicted among those who received treatments. In women, 15% of those who didn’t take medications were convicted while only 2% of those who received treatments were criminally held liable.

Many people think that ADHD is a childhood disease and ignore the idea that medicines are needed, explains Dr William Cooper, professor of paediatrics and preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. However, scientists are beginning to understand that it is a condition that usually lasts for a lifetime in many people. Cooper said he was struck because the study shows a significant impact of medication in lowering criminality rate, and that the results were consistent across all the analyses the researchers have made, such as the types of crime committed and the types of drugs taken.

"It’s well known that individuals with ADHD have much higher rates of criminality and drug abuse than people without ADHD," says Lichtenstein. However, the effects of treatment are still unknown.  Experts suggest that the study establishes a firm relationship between ADHD and criminality.

The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

 

Dear Readers,

As a therapist, has the treatment of ADHD decreased the likely hood of criminal behaviour? How else can criminality be curbed?

Share your comments below!

 

 

Source of this article:

Medication for Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder and Criminality