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Children With ADHD Medications

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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD causes children to have problems with paying attention, following instructions, and they can even have impulsive behaviors and become easily distracted. (mayoclinic.org/disease-conditions/adhd) Children with ADHD may also have low self esteem, depression and trouble with academics. 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 controlling their impulsive behavior and hyperactivity (nimh.nih.gov). Side effects of these medications are sometimes, anxiety, addiction and in some cases psychosis. Many …show more content…

They also claim that the full side effects of ADHD medication are still not known and could have harmful long- lasting side effects on the children taking the medications. The principle of beneficence must be applied by balancing the benefits the medication provides to those with ADHD along with the risks of possible side effects and that people, particularly children, that are not diagnosed with this disorder will be taking the medication. ADHD, or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Ritalin is currently prescribed to approximately six million people in the US. Of those six million, 75% of these are children for ADHD (nimh.nih.gov). 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. 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 …show more content…

The second essential feature is that the symptoms began before the child was seven years old. (DSMIVtm). As the child begins school or gets into early elementary school, when they should be able to focus and sit still and listen, their symptoms become more apparent, and that is usually when they get diagnosed. It is common these days for overdiagnosis of ADHD as many teens and young adults abuse the system to get the drugs for recreational use. It doesn’t take much other than talking to a doctor and sometimes a few computer or written tests which are also able to be manipulated. ADHD in children is much harder to fake as they do not have the brain capacity to even do so or they why factors. Day to day life for an undiagnosed, adult may be challenging tasks for adults with undiagnosed ADHD (nimh.nih.gov).
ADHD is a very difficult and confusing disorder to deal with when it comes to your children. It is hard to establish is looking out a window or active behavior is just natural for your child, or if your child has a problem. Many drugs can help a child settle down and concentrate better. These drugs should be used for a temporary purpose only; where the goal is to be able to function

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