Central Nervous System Stimulant: Ritalin Essay

Ritalin, the most common drug prescribed for ADHD, has many side effects. It can cause a variety of symptoms including nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, high blood pressure and heart rate, skin rashes, abdominal pain, weight loss, digestive problems, toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug dependence, and anxiety (Bailey 3). These drugs also cause food cravings (mainly sweets), hinder allergies, psychosis and pre-existing tics. Long-term effects of Ritalin consist of

Ritalin, is used as a medication prescribed for individuals who have an abnormally high level of activity or attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drug works by increasing and balancing levels of the brain chemicals dopamine (associated with activity) and serotonin (associated with a sense of well-being). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 3 to 5 percent of the general population has the disorder.

According to an article about the side effects of ADHD medication on Psych Central, the younger the child, the worse the side effects will be. Any child aged seven to nineteen are four to five times more likely to die of unexplained cardiac arrest due to the amounts of adderall and dexedrine in the ADHD medication. Among the many drugs used to treat the disorder, Ritalin is one of the most common. Although this medication is developing a negative reputation after the number of deaths found linked to this Stimulant. One story of a boy named Matthew, his last name is not released to the public, died at the age of 14 due to cardiac arrest caused by his ADHD medication, Methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin. Side effects from any behavior stimulant can cause side effects such as; panic attacks, insomnia, new or worsening depression/anxiety, violent mood swings, mania, etc. All of which are much worse when given to a younger child compared to an adult. The side effects of this medication whether it be needed or not can be very dangerous which is why many children should not be taking it unless it is drastically

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder that causes children to have problems with paying attention, trouble with following instructions, have impulsive behaviors and become easily distracted. Medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are used to treat the symptoms of this disorder by helping the patient to focus and pay attention while also curbing their impulsive behavior and hyperactivity. Side effects of these medications are, but not limited to, anxiety, addiction and in some cases psychosis. Proponents of giving ADHD medication to children argue that ADHD is a real disorder in children and the medication does improve the symptoms of the disorder by a large margin as well as being cost effective.

This stimulant can treat many conditions but is commonly used for ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

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

It is estimated that between 3 and 12 percent of the population has to deal with conditions known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). This equals approximately 3 million children in the United States alone. Both of these disorders (ADD and ADHD) exhibit the same traits leading them to be lumped together. Children affected by ADD or ADHD have behavior and emotional problems. Trouble concentrating on simple tasks, a short attention span, failing to give attention to details, and disruptive behavior are a few of the problems resulting from

Ritalin, similar to Adderall, prevents norepinephrine and epinephrine from being absorbed, keeping the neurotransmitters active in the brain. Although very similar to Adderall, Ritalin does not have the potential of increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters, making the dopamine transporters

A central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, methylphenidate—more commonly known as Ritalin—is drug prescribed in the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) ((1)). AD/HD, by definition, is "developmentally inappropriate behavior, including poor attention skills, impulsivity, and hyperactivity" sustained for more than 6 months, appearing usually during childhood2

Ritalin is currently prescribed to approximately six million people in the US. Of those six million, 75% of these are children, with boys receiving Ritalin about four times more often than girls. Ritalin is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. It interacts with chemicals in the brain and nerves that give way to hyperactivity and impulse control. Not only is Ritalin used to treat ADD and ADHD, it is also used to treat a sleeping disorder called Narcolepsy, which is an uncontrollable desire to sleep, but there is another drug that given just as Ritalin, and it is called Adderall. Adderall is almost the exact same as Ritalin except it actually enters the cell and helps it produce more dopamine.

To add to that, the research that has been conducted on the disorder has led to a variety of effective treatments. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2014) the most widely used medication is a stimulant. There is a wide variety of stimulants available for ADHD subjects. Although, with these stimulants come side effects including sleep problems, decreased appetite, anxiety and other diverse uncommon side effects (NIMH, 2014). Stimulants tend to calm children with ADHD. However, these medications can be detrimental to the patient in many ways. Certain medications have been subject to abuse, including Adderall and Ritalin. These medications are in some cases abused by patients who are over diagnosed. Since these patients do not have the disorder they can feel the side effects and use the drug to achieve a certain kind of high. When using these drugs for non-medical purposes they can seem to replicate the effects of cocaine

Ritalin may help students with ADHD to control their impulses, less trouble finishing school work and homework, less impatience, better relationship with family and friends and increase self-esteem. Unfortunately, medication is not always the solution for students with ADHD. On Matt’s case, he needs more support from his parents and teachers. For example, at home, he needs to know what is the correct thing to do, instead having his father yelling every time he does something wrong. At school, he needs a paraprofessional who helps him to be on task during class and reinforce class rules and discipline.

Some researchers claim that Ritalin does not lead to drug abuse. Everyone who has taken Ritalin does not use other drugs. Biederman, who is a researcher, conducted a research about Ritalin and the connection to drugs. Biederman stated, “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity (ADHD) boys treated with stimulants such as Ritalin are significantly less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol when they are older rather than ADHD boys who are not treated. This evidence proves that Ritalin reduces the possibility of drug abuse later in life. On the other hand, other researchers claim that the addiction of Ritalin has a connection with other drugs. Ritalin has characteristics of other drugs such as cocaine. Ritalin and cocaine both increase dopamine levels in the

The primary use for Ritalin today has been for dulling symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder children and adults. Ritalin is also used to treat narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder where the brain is not effectively regulating sleeping and waking cycles. Ritalin is part of the central nervous system stimulants which work by altering brain chemistry, and holding back some neurotransmitters and dulling some receptors to temporarily and artificial mimic a sense of calm and focus while under the influence of the medicine, (MedlinePlus, 2016).

Those children that are diagnosed with ADHD are usually prescribed psycho-stimulant medications, such as ‘methylphenidate’, otherwise known as ‘Ritalin’, as the primary method of treatment. (Chandler, 2010).