Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Essay

ADHD is one of the most conventional behavior disorder that typically manifest itself in childhood (Carson, 2012), and can cause a multitude complications among a variety of settings such as social and school settings. Inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity are common symptoms for patients who suffer from ADHD. Children with ADHD can be very disorderly in classroom settings, and boys are ten times more likely than girls to receive a diagnosis in childhood, while in adulthood, the ratio is practically 2:1 (Carson, 2012). The most common treatment for ADHD is methlyphenidate, or Ritalin, a dopamine agonist/ norepinephrine agonist that inhibits reuptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine and norpinephrine. Methlyphenidate increases dopamine in the dorsal striatum, and both dopamine and norepinephrine in the prefrontal cortex. Notwithstanding, the fact that MPH is a dopamine agonist suggest that this disorder may be

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.

The stimulant medications have been revealed to affect the prefrontal cortex of the brain that is responsible for making decisions, expressing one’s personality and paying attention (Basu). Stimulant medication affecting the prefrontal cortex gives the why it clears the symptoms of this disorder but not the how. The stimulant medication taken for ADHD increases the levels of the two neurotransmitters in the brain one being dopamine, which causes good feelings and may play a role in the creation of memories, and nonepinephrine that is linked to paying attention and arousal (Basu). The increased levels of these two neurotransmitters and the region of the brain they interact with being the prefrontal cortex show the how and why these stimulant medications could be an effective treatment. The ADHD medication treating the symptoms of this disorder remarkably well is one of the reasons proponents back up the practice of using the medication for treatment so fiercely.

The use of stimulant medications such as Ritalin or Adderall in children with the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continues to rise, albeit at a slower pace than in previous decades, a new study finds. The study authors tracked data on prescription in the US 1996 to 2008. They found that the use of drugs for ADHD was higher among children of 6-12 years and increased slightly from 4.2 percent in 1996 to 5.1 percent twelve years later. However, increase more pronounced occurred in older children, ages 13 and 18. In this group, the ADHD drugs increased more than double, from 2.3 percent in 1996 to 4.9 percent in 2008. The researchers said this reflects a greater understanding

The question of the validity of the use of stimulants for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly connected to the question of attempting to balance the effectiveness of the drugs and the dangers inherent in their use. ADHD is a problematic mental and behavioral disorder especially among children and it is very important that we as a society find an effective method to treat it with the least amount of adverse effects to patients. It is a very good question to ask if a treatment is worth the risks and this definitely the case with the use of stimulants for treating ADHD. The use of stimulants has been rightly controversial and their negatives are very hard to ignore. Keeping this is in mind, it is still much better to prescribe stimulants for the treatment of ADHD. There is overwhelming evidence that which points to the fact that despite the prevalence of opinion against it doctors and parents should, in fact, have no problem prescribing amphetamines to children for the treatment of ADHD. This paper will argue that despite a lot of adverse effects and negative press which the use of stimulants has gotten as the primary method for the treatment of ADHD it is, in fact, one of the best and most effective ways which we have to treat it.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is without a doubt one of the largest social problems facing the Baby Boomers in the 21st century. The last two to three decades have seen this disorder labeled many different titles. As stated by Donald J. Brown in his article Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), 1996: “What is apparent is that ADHD is a collection of symptoms or criteria.” Labeling a child as ADHD creates a large potential for error. The traditional approach of putting children on long-term usage of stimulants such as Ritalin, Centedrin, and Rubifen might allow a child to better concentrate because it somehow slows down the otherwise hyperactive student but it does nothing

Whoever consumes stimulants triggers hostility, aggressiveness, anxiety, paranoia, and depression. Depending on the person, their mood may transition from time to time. Stimulants for ADD/ADHD should not be taken by people with heart conditions, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, anxiety, glaucoma, or a past of drug abuse. Stimulant abuse is the main reason why stimulants should not be consumed by just any person of choice without a review of their medical history. Medications seem to be non-effective in the beginning. According to Strattera, “side effects of Strattera include: upset stomach, decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, and mood swings.” The main concern is the connection between Strattera and the brain. It has been shown in scientific study that Strattera causes the person to have suicidal thoughts. Non-stimulants are next in line if Stimulants have not proven to be efficient or has severe side effects. The Methylphenidate Stimulants class contains the following drugs: Focalin, Methylin, Ritalin, Metadate ER, Methylin ER, Ritalin SR, Metadate CD, Ritalin LA, Concerta, Quillivant XR, Focalin XR, and Daytrana patch. The short-acting drugs of this class are Focalin, Methylin, and Ritalin. Because these medications are short-acting, frequent dosage is essential to manipulate the symptoms of ADHD. Focalin only lasts in a person’s system for 4-6 hours. Methylin and Ritalin only last for 3-4 hours. They all have the common side effects of appetite loss, weight loss, difficulty sleeping, and irritability. There is a high concern that if children and adolescents consume Ritalin, their brain may abnormally develop. The intermediate-acting medications of this class include Metadate ER, Methylin ER, Ritalin SR, Metadate CD, and Ritalin LA. Metadate ER and Methylin ER last for 6-8 hours, while Ritalin SR lasts for 4-8 hours. Metadate CD and Ritalin LA last a

This paper will focus on what is commonly known as Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a complex disorder that can affect people of any age, gender or ethnicity. This disorder impacts so many people that new studies are being done quite frequently. Because of this, it can be very difficult for mental health professionals to remain current with the most recent findings and know how best to respond to patient’s questions and apprehensions regarding the disorder and subsequent interventions. This paper will attempt to summarize significant findings from recent research regarding ADHD and its treatment.

One possible public health concern is safety of pharmacological interventions, or the effectiveness of current interventions to help reduce the impairment that’s associated with ADHD. It would be necessary to cooperate with other different organizations to help educate and promote what is known about ADHD appropriate standards of practice, interventions, their effectiveness, and their safety (J,

According to the International Journal of Neuropsychiatric Medicine, about 4% of adults in the United States are affected by ADHD. It’s a disorder that usually emerges in childhood and in the past was thought of as exclusive to a person’s earlier years. More recent research has proved this to be untrue, instead revealing that many people who are diagnosed with ADHD in childhood will continue to have symptoms into adulthood (Ramsay). It is primarily treated with stimulant medications such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, or Focalin; however, the long-term use of stimulants to treat ADHD may not be the best option. Through

children between the ages of 5 and 17 now have the ADHD diagnosis” (Berry). The fact of the matter is that ADD is becoming very prevalent in today’s society; seen by the sheer amount of children with the disorder as well as the rising number of diagnoses. Many people are prescribed medications to help lessen the effects of ADD. This is exhibited as “treatment with Ritalin--the most popular drug used to treat ADHD--and its chemical cousins have skyrocketed. Production of these drugs has increased more than fourfold in the last decade, from 11,000 pounds in 1993 to 46,000 pounds in 2002, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration” (Attention 24). The substantial growth of the amount of Ritalin produced shows increased demand that stemmed from rising ADD rates. The significant increase in the amount of people diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder is largely due to growing awareness of the condition, overdiagnosis by medical practitioners, and increased societal and educational demands.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a neurobehavioral development disorder diagnosed by a number of symptoms. ADHD cannot be diagnosed until seen by a doctor. There is no simple test for ADHD, however there is a standardize way that ADHD is diagnosed. For someone to be diagnosed with ADHD the person must have six inattention and six hyperactive impulsive behavior for it least six months. To a degree where it’s inconsistent with development level and that negatively impacts directly on social, academic and occupational activities. There is a number of symptoms such as fidgetiness individuals with ADHD have. Unfinished

Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adulthood. This disorder is characterized by difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior and hyperactivity. In children, the long term effects of psychotropic medications are unknown and lead to a number of precipitating factors. Choosing the right medication, dose and treatment plan should be based on each child’s individual needs and situation. Some of the medications used to manage symptoms of ADHD are Ritalin and Adderall. These two drugs have been around for a while; however, Vyvanse, Strattera, and Concerta are new drugs that have been proven to help with ADHD symptoms.

Although many more chronical illnesses are discussed in the DSM-V, one of the most recurrent ones, especially among children, is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. ADHD, as it’s commonly known, is among few others, one of the most diagnosed mental disorders in the United States. Moreover, its prevalence is, by a great margin, high among males rather than females, and the usual identification age varies from the time in which children enter preschool to when they reach twelve years’ old (Ronald J. Comer). It is vital that symptoms for such disorder are identified correctly within a short time frame, for ADHD is known for stunting a child’s academic and behavioral development. For a successful ADHD diagnosis, several elements must be present, and prevalent in a child for at least six months. Such include, disorganized thoughts, feelings, or actions, inability to maintain attention, fails to carry out instructions or finish tasks, dislike or avoidance to perform mentally effortful work, excessive talk, constant movement and a recurrent pattern of disobedience, among others. At least six of these symptoms must be shown throughout a continuous period of six months or more in a manner that is maladaptive and beyond that shown by most similarly aged persons.

The purpose of this research was to describe and understand Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the most effective treatment options that are available today. ADHD is a mental health disorder that affects 3-9% of the population in ways that, if left untreated, can wreak havoc on the mind of the sufferer. It makes concentration difficult, large tasks seem insurmountable, and causes impulsive and hyperactive tendencies. Fortunately, research and experiments have led to new and effective treatments to help those who suffer from this disorder (Dupaul 8). This research examined journal articles and internet sources on the topic to help unlock the complexities of the disorder through scientific research. It also was a way to