Adhd And Its Effects On Children

ADHD is a very common neurodevelopment disorder of childhood. It is usually diagnosed in late childhood, around the age of seven by the teachers. The symptoms are typical during ages 3-6 and if not treated properly becomes chronic and persists even after entering adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, staying organized and controlling impulsive behaviors. It is very difficult to diagnose and when undiagnosed the children can grow to be mislabeled as trouble makers in their adulthood.

According to the research conducted by Dr. Laura A. King, the Frederick A. Middlebush Professor of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri, Columbia, “ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed neurobehavioral disorders of childhood, in which individuals show at least one of the following: impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.”

There is no real evidence of what causes ADHD. There have been many theories and hypothesis on the subject but no real concrete evidence of what causes the disease or how to prevent it. According to WebMDHealth (2004) inherited genetic factors is the most common theory on the cause of ADHD, certain brain activity lead scientist to believe that a certain abnormal

When taken as prescribed, Ritalin is a valuable medicine. Research shows that people with ADHD do not become addicted to stimulant medications when taken at prescribed treatment dosages. However, because of Ritalin’s stimulant properties, in recent years high levels of abuse of Ritalin by people who are not prescribed, has been reported.

ADHD is a treatable learning disability, though there is no “cure”. Many people only have ADHD during childhood and teen years but then grow out of it. Most

ADHD is indeed a part of the Western Culture. People are familiar with the term, treatment and some behaviors that ‘shows’ its existence; and since it has become part of the culture itself it is considered as something relatively normal -or at least common. Both sides of the debate agree on the fact that the behaviors called ADHD do exist, but is it a biological disease? A conduct disorder? Or are we as humans trying to narrow our behaviors in the way where anyone who is not as ‘efficient’ as us are considered to be ‘sick’?

Garber, Stephen W., Ph.D, Marianne Daniels Garber, Ph.D, and Robyn Freedman Spizman. Beyond Ritalin. New York: Villard, 1996. p 56-59.

Despite Ritalin reducing the symptoms of ADHD, the disorder is normally first diagnosed in children as this is when symptoms first start appearing. This causes problems as children may not understand the side effects of the drugs (e.g. anxiety, nausea, insomnia, psychosis) and are too young to give informed consent. This means that the parent or guardian would have to give consent on behalf of the child which relies on the child having a parent and a parent that is not neglecting of the child. Questions arise such as, how do we know the parent has the child’s best interest at heart? Who makes the decision if the child is orphaned? What if the child doesn’t want the drug, but the parent does - who makes the decision? Another problem with treating children with ADHD is the risk of depending on medical fixes

Ritalin should not be used as a first option due to the ongoing side effects that some children suffer from taking this medication. There are

The Food and Drug Administration approved Ritalin in 1961 for the use of treatment of childhood behavioral issues. The most common side effects have been insomnia, decreased appetite, stomachache, headache and jitteriness. However, there have been concerns of long term health effects such as liver cancer, heart attacks, violence and substance abuse (Lombardo,

There are many negatives involved in ADHD, but what’s often overlooked, are the positives. One of these positives is the fact that this disorder is very manageable and treatable. We have an extended amount of knowledge from numerous studies that have been done since the disorder was discovered. From these studies we now know that this disorder can affect people in many ways and be a burden on someone if not treated properly.

Through my training and experience I have learned that ADHD is a neurobehavioral development disorder and is a “persistent pattern inattention and/or hyperactivity—impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development,” as defined within: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The

With Ritalin being prescribed to youth as young as age three (DeNoon, 2006) it can be determined that parents and educators will do anything to medicate children that may be prone to accidents or behavioural issues because of their hyperactivity and age. Greenhill, a psychiatry professor at Columbia University and director of paediatric psychopharmacology at New York State (DeNoon, 2006) stated that medicating preschoolers does have their benefits:

Methylphenidate, more commonly known as “Ritalin” was synthesized in 1944 (U.S. Pharmacist, 2002). By 1954, it was being tested on humans to treat “chronic fatigue, depression, psychosis associated with depression, narcolepsy, and to offset the sedating effects of other medications.” (U.S. Pharmacist, 2002) The intent was to use Ritalin to treat the “hyperkinetic syndrome.” (U.S. Pharmacist, 2002) Which was later named Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but wasn’t introduced until the 1960s. Many studies have been conducted in order to determine the effects that it has on the brain, as well as the tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal that may be endured with being prescribed Ritalin. Within the studies, the effectiveness that this medication had on children and youth was considered. This research has shown that Ritalin does in fact have a negative impact on health. It is overprescribed to children, and it is actually unnecessary.

“Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition affecting children and adults that is characterized by problems with attention, impulsivity, and overactivity” (CHADD). “It is a neurobiological disorder that affect 3-7 percent of school age children and may be seen as before the age of 7. The current diagnostic label is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, however, in the past several other names have been used, such as brain-damaged, minimal brain dysfunction, hyperkinetic impulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder (CHADD). ADHD is a controversial disorder. Some understand it to be a true disability, while others believe “good teaching and discipline at home resolve the problems” (Kauffman 2005).