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
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.
One controversial area of pediatric (children's) medicine is in the treatment of condition called Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Symptoms of ADHD often include: hyperactivity, impulsive behavior and the inability to concentrate. In some instances, the symptoms extend beyond that into areas such as anti-social activities and even aggression.
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
Families who have children with ADHD often experience much higher anxiety and stress levels. A large number of children, almost half, will exhibit signs of ADHD by the age of four. However, most children are not diagnosed until he or she reaches elementary school. The behaviors that are associated with ADHD in children put them at risk for a host of other problems and complications such as completing their education, alcohol and other drug abuse, and an increased risk for delinquency. There has been much research on ADHD in recent years and many different types of medications and interventions have proven to be quite helpful. With the proper diagnosis and treatment, children with ADHD can learn to cope with the daily demands of the classroom, social situations, family interactions, and life in general.
Those diagnosed with ADHD have a hard time concentrating and are prone to outburst based on the emotions they are feeling at the time rather than reason. This is caused by lower levels of dopamine in their brains. The most commonly prescribed drug to treat ADHD is Ritalin. The dopamine transporter within the brain moves dopamine from the synapse to the sending neuron. Ritalin blocks the dopamine transporter, therefore, increasing the dopamine level at the synapse.
Many drugs have been developed to treat ADD and ADHD. One of these drugs is Methylphenidate otherwise known as Ritalin. It is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for treatment of ADD and ADHD. Use of Ritalin is up 700 percent since 1990 (ABC News). Other drugs also used in treatment of ADD and ADHD include Zoloft, Praxil, and Cylert. Ritalin is a drug that is used to restore neurotransmitters in those that lack or have malfunctioning nerve impulses in the
Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are behavioral disorders affecting attention span, impulse control, and self-discipline. They are usually associated with children, although adults can suffer from the same disorders. It is estimated that 4% - 6% of the U.S. population suffers from AD/HD, and children with the disorders carry them into adulthood more than half the time. Typically medicated with psychostimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall, (methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, respectively), concern over these disorders surrounds problems such as over-diagnosis or misuse of the prescription medications.
What if there were a way to easily control young children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) whose behavior can impede their health? There is, ADHD medication, such as ritalin or adderall, can help children focus, control hyperactivity and reduce injuries. Medication is a necessity in controlling children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.
Since ADHD is a result of slower neurotransmitters, the medications and treatments used are stimulates, to “wake up” those transmitters, giving the brain the ability to focus clearly and regularly at the subject at hand. There are two systems when it comes to how the brain works. The first one, is the CNS, or the Central Nervous System. Our CNS works as the “control room” of our body. Connecting to the “control room” are “wires” or nerves, that run along our bodies picking up signals like taste, smell, sounds, etc., These signals are sent to the brain’s control room (the CNS), where it then decides what to do with these signals. The ADHD brain will run into problems when deciding what to do with all of these signals. Either
Many individuals are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Ritalin is a medication that is prescribed after diagnosis to offset its symptoms. As with most drugs, Ritalin has side effects, some of which are commonly associated with most pharmaceutical drugs but much more severe. Ritalin is a central Nervous system stimulant that affects ones’ central nervous system which controls cognition, thought processes and even regular breathing. Ritalin should be reconsidered as a remedy to either ADD or ADHD as the consequences of this medication can evolve into illegal drug use outside of what are common side effects. Drugs such as Ritalin produce successful outcomes for many patients but
Attention deficit hypersensitivity disorder (ADHD) affects children. Children who have been diagnosed with ADHD generally struggle with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. They often have difficulty focusing and paying attention to details. Unfortunately, some children experience problems in social settings. Their behavior is hyperactive (e.g., fidgets, forgets, and talks excessively) and impulsive (e.g., waiting their turn, interrupting, and intruding). Behavioral problems are commonly found with children diagnosed with ADHD because they have difficulty regulating their responses in social interactions. Without effective treatments, these social interaction problems follow these young children into adulthood. This literature review will discuss five studies that examine the effectiveness of pharmacological therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and behavioral therapy on children and adults with ADHD.
The average third grade student worries about having the coolest pencils, making a sports team, and what they’re having for lunch. Unfortunately, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) don’t have it so easy. Daily life in and outside of the classroom can be extremely difficult for such children; however, there are ways to help. The drug Ritalin helps elementary aged male children with ADHD improve test scores by allowing them to focus in the classroom and concentrate on schoolwork (Bronson).
Stimulant medications for ADHD cause many side effects: appetite suppression, sleep disturbances, abdominal pain, headaches, and tics. Therapy is a much safer route to put her son in to treat the ADHD. With behavior therapy, the parents and teachers are trained to help the child deal with and improve the behavior. Her son will be able to self-monitor his behavior and develop social skills. A combination of therapy and medication is more beneficial than just therapy or medication alone. Combined treatment was superior in benefitting ADHD symptoms, according to parents' and teachers' ratings of inattention and parent-rated hyperactivity and impulsivity (MTA Cooperative Group
Why do children need ADHD medication? ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a disorder, which a child diagnosed with it, has problems with concentration, focusing, behavior problems and hyperactivity. There is also ADD of which the hyperactivity is not present. 1/3 of those diagnosed as children continue into adulthood. Most often a medication is prescribed such as Ritalin or Adderall, these are stimulant medications of which a person with ADHD actually focuses and has a calming effect to the hyperactive child, which is usually the test to be diagnosed with ADHD as opposed to a stimulant increasing hyperactivity.
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).