Adhd : Synthetic Medication Vs. Holistic Approach

This section will discuss the advantages and drawbacks of medicating children as a result of being diagnosed with ADHD and it’s implications on a child in a mainstream school. Symptoms and behaviour patterns of ADHD children, differs widely as no two children are the same. Diagnosis of ADHD can be subjective varying from different medical professions. Due to the complexity of ADHD and other psychiatric behaviours that can mimic ADHD, it is often found that those taking medication do not require it and may only have mild symptoms. Many children diagnosed with ADHD are offered medication in a stimulant form as opposed to other drugs. This is often the preferred choice of medication as it has been used for a number of years by a variety of people and has shown little side effects when used correctly (Lougy, DeRuvo, and Rosenthal, 2007, p.

In this day and age, drugs are being prescribed without hesitation. In fact, many of these drugs are being prescribed for children with various disorders. One of these disorders is called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). An estimated five to ten percent of children are diagnosed with this syndrome (Taylor 11). One of the methods to treat this disorder is to use stimulants, specifically Ritalin. This method is controversial because it has many side effects and its long-term effects are unknown. It can also lead to addiction. Approximately two to three percent of elementary school children are taking some kind of stimulant to treat ADHD (Taylor 64). Since so many children are taking this medication, new problems have arisen.

Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD[, as the] National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that the twelve-month prevalence of adult ADHD in the United States is 4.1 percent.”(Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)).These results make it clear that this is an issue on at least a national scale and that there is a majority of people that need proper treatment. When it comes to different types of therapy, most are simple and cheap- treatments involving nutritional diet “can help reduce [behavioral difficulties] and eliminate the need for a medical consultation that might lead to [labelling children] with ADHD.”(Romm and Romm 45). Meanwhile, herbal medicine “is not a replacement for psychoactive medications[ nor will control or stimulate them, but can be used] to calm or sedate a child”(59-60). However, while these can be effective for a small minority of patients, from the book mentioned before, Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, states that “Psychosocial therapy, usually combined with medications, is the treatment approach of choice to alleviate ADHD symptoms[; whereas] psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), pemoline (Cylert), and methylphenidate (Ritalin) are commonly prescribed to control hyperactive and impulsive behavior and increase attention span.” From this, it is crucial that for the sake of people with untreated ADHD, that these prescription medications should increase in numbers and in availability, as other forms of therapy are already common and

Regardless of your opinion when it comes to stimulants, one of the big concerns when taking any prescription drug should be the potential for interactions with other substances

I am also not against ADHD medicine because I understand that for some children it is necessary and can be the only way to help them stay focused. Although, I am against just putting a child on the medicine immediately after they have been diagnosed. I agree with you that other ways of trying to manage ADHD symptoms should be done before going to medication. The amount of side effects to the ADHD medicine scare me. I have seen children thrive because of them, but I have also seen children become "zombies" from them. Ultimately, I feel the parents know their child and should take the time to try different methods to find the one that best suits their child.

Psychostimulants drugs are given to hundreds of children every day for the treatment of ADHD, but what the doctors don't tell people is that they have no idea why psychostimulants even work for children with ADHD. The drugs have been used for years, but they have only recently been used in mass quantity. Stimulant drugs work at reducing the symptoms, but doctors really don't understand the effect the drug will have in the long term.

Attention deficit disorder (ADD) affects a person's ability to keep attention. A person with ADD may also display signs of hyperactivity and impulsive behavior (Barkley). This disorder takes a toll on the everyday life of the person who suffers from it. Researchers have not yet found what the causes of ADD are yet, but that have found a few ways to manage the disorder. There is a variety of different medications, stimulant and non-stimulant, that helps treat ADD but how good are they for your health? Parents are looking for different techniques and natural supplements that will help aid their children who suffer from ADD.

As mentioned previously in the review, the most commonly used interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with ADHD are behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapeutic medication regimens. While both methods have been shown to produce positive outcomes ²individually, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a combination of both methods when treating symptoms. Pelham, Burrows-MacLean, Gnagy, Fabiano, Coles, Tresco, Chacko, Wymbs, Wienke, Walker, & Hoffman (2005) examined the effect of transdermal methylphenidate treatment combined with behavioral modification methods on ADHD-symptomatic children.

Stimulant medication could be the miracle drug, or the most harmful thing to hit the younger generations. Medications such as Adderall and Ritalin are playing a prominent role in many adolescents’ lives, or the lives of people close to them. There is an “underground market” for medications like these, and the market is growing quickly. Whether just to make sure they pass that next test, or if they really believe they need it, stimulants’ popularity is soaring, and not just among adolescents but doctors as well. Stimulant medication / therapy is being prescribed at a growing rate, leading to many cases of misuse and diversion that can severely affect the users entire life, and play a very unclear part in any other substance abuse they

Researchers have found numerous ways to curb the symptoms of this disorder without the harsh medications. The alternative ways are changing the child’s diet, you can give your child supplements like fish oil, increased physical activity, brain training therapies, and better parenting skills. Most family doctors will not suggest these things to parents because most parents are looking for a quick fix and doctors do not make any money from not prescribing medication. A child with ADHD requires more attention and most parents are too busy to give it to them, so they look for the quick fix, but doctors are not going over the alternative treatments or the dangerous side-effects from the medication, they just listen to the parent for 5-10 minutes, ask the child a few questions, do a quick physical, and give medicine. The doctor usually never goes over the length side-effects, the harm the medication does to the child over a long period of time, or the alternative treatments that can help. I’m almost positive any responsible parent would want to know these things and I believe it is the doctor’s responsibility to give them the information before prescribing it to their

“This comprehensive approach to treatment is often called “multimodal” and consists of parent and child education about diagnosis and treatment, behavior management techniques, medication, child and/or family counseling, and school programming and supports.” http://www.chadd.org/Understanding-ADHD/For-Parents-Caregivers/Treatment-Overview/Managing-Medication.aspx. Treatment should be tailored to the unique needs of each child and family. Reports on medication use vary. For some, the benefits are extraordinary; for others, medication is quite helpful; and for still others, the results are more modest. “Attention span, impulsivity and on-task behavior often improve, especially in structured environments. Some children also demonstrate improvements in frustration tolerance, compliance and even handwriting.” http://www.chadd.org/Understanding-ADHD/For-Parents-Caregivers/Treatment-Overview/Managing-Medication.aspx. Relationships with parents, peers and teachers

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is thought to effect between two and seven percent of all childhood population, and roughly five percent of all adults. (Heal and Pierce 713-738, Weiss and Weiss 27-37) Kids and adults with ADHD exhibit a wide variety of symptoms ranging from inattention to impulsivity to hyperactivity, all of which can be treated with a correct application of modern medicine. (Jones 12-20) But as concerned parents look harder at modern treatments many begins to raise concerns about unwelcomed and unnecessary side effects such as increased chances of problematic cardiovascular issues. (Heal and Pierce 713-738) It is through these new concerns that alternative methods such as Psychotherapy and other natural

Stimulants medication has been used for over 60 years to aid in ADHD symptoms. Some types of stimulants clinically used today are methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and mixed-salts amphetamine. According to Practice Parameter for the Use of Stimulant Medications in the Treatment of Children, Adolescents, and Adults, “Stimulants are among the most effective psychotropic medications in clinical use today”. The beneficial effects were discovered in 1937 when it was proven to improve academic performance and on-task behaviors in classrooms (Practice Parameter…).

From a personal perspective, I know the effects of stimulants all too well. I was diagnosed at a young age with ADHD and was prescribed Adderall. This stimulant helped me be able to focus in school and not be so impulsive and hyper. Taking Adderall came with noticeable side effects. I experienced insomnia from my medicine and was prescribed Clonidine to help me fall asleep at night.

One disadvantage of Ritalin is that it can cause a decrease in appetite and therefore the child may lose weight, this is concerning because a child needs all their daily calories to grow and develop physically. Another disadvantage of Ritalin is that in the evening the dose is metabolized and wears off leaving the individual having difficulty falling asleep and can be problematic for the family who are tired at the end of their day. Some children also have issues with headaches and stomach ache when taking Ritalin. Rarely Ritalin has been the cause of high blood pressure and has been linked to sudden death with children who have heart problems or heart defects (Csiernik, R. 2014). A small percentage of children have facial tics and a small