ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the frequency, reasons for, and factors associated with energy drink consumption in adolescents with or without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). DESIGN: Anonymous surveys were completed by 115 adolescents and their parents prior to appointments at two separate outpatient clinics (pediatric and psychiatric) over a three-month period. Trained staff provided surveys to be completed by adolescents and their parents on a voluntary basis, and all data was self-reported. Care was given to ensure adolescents and their parents completed surveys independently from each other. RESULTS: A total of 114 adolescent surveys and 100 parent surveys were included in analysis. There was a statistically significant association between parent and adolescent consumption of energy drinks. The mean number of energy drinks consumed in the past month was lower among adolescents than among parents. The most common reason among all respondents for energy drink consumption was to promote wakefulness. CONCLUSION: This survey found that adolescents with parents who consumed energy drinks were more likely to drink energy drinks themselves. Trends indicate that consumption of energy drinks is increasing in the adolescent population, with potential for serious adverse events resulting from high caffeine content, warranting the need for public health awareness.
ABSTRACT
Adderall (dextroamphet-amine/amphetamine) is a psychostimulant medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This medication is usually well tolerated with minimal side effects. We report a case of a 12-year-old girl who was prescribed Adderall by her primary care physician to treat her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and who subsequently developed trichotillomania. A short time following the initiation of the medication, the patient's family members noticed the patient displaying unusual hair-pulling behavior. The patient was referred to a psychiatrist for an evaluation of trichotillomania. Following a thorough evaluation, the decision was made to discontinue the Adderall and switch the patient to guanfacine. The urge to pull her hair along with her anxiety dissipated following this change. Close follow-up was maintained for over a year with both the psychiatrist and the primary care physician, and during this time the patient did not display any unusual hair pulling behaviors. This case appears to display a very unusual side effect of Adderall.
