Is Medication Safe for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children

Analysis of parent-reported data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2011–2013 found that 10% of children ages 4–17 years were diagnosed with ADHD (Pastor et al. 2015) Boys (13.3%) are twice more affected by ADHD than girls (5.6%)(Pastor et al. 2015). A similar study found that the prevalence rate of ADHD diagnosis increased from 7.0% in 1997–1999 to 10.2% in 2012–2014(ADHD General Prevalence. (2014).

The CDC webpage information is effective in stating details and facts about ADHD, however the webpage does not tell us what the side effects are of any of the medication given for ADHD (CDC,2016). When reading information from the webpage one can determine that the medication and therapy approach is the best treatment for this disorder. The AAP seems to stress the hands on behavioral intervention, then parental training in behavioral therapy (managing ADHD in children are you doing enough).

Children with ADHD will show characteristics such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattention. Fidgeting while sitting, behaving abnormally when expected to sit down or remain quiet, and trouble waiting in line can show

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.

Sub characteristics of hyperactivity include inability to sit still during times of relaxation, incessant talking, problems with listening and interrupting, and inability to focus on uninteresting reading materials, constantly on the move.

“ADHD is the most extensively studied pediatric mental health disorder, yet controversy and public debate over the diagnosis and medication treatment of the disorder continue to exist.” (Connor D., P.1, 2011) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often a debated subject when the method of treatment is being discussed because it has become a trending issue to over medicate children with ADHD. A fitting label for the trend is the anesthetization of our youth, caused by government agency expansion and pharmaceutical allowances, and blame parents not advocating for their child better.

There are many medications that affect children’s health in today’s society. Doctors prescribe lots of medication which can be avoided, when children are properly diagnosed with certain health problems. Attention - deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has impacted many people with the danger of certain medications which is overprescribed to all ages each year. The hidden dangers of the medications these doctors are prescribing, is that our children are being misdiagnosed with ADHD at a very early age, and this is causing many different side effects. Long term use of these medications can cause severe side effects. The most commonly prescribed drugs, are Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta, which cause children to have nervousness, appetite suppression, insomnia and increased blood pressure and heart problems. Also pharmaceutical companies are well aware of the danger to children and adults that these drugs may cause.

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.

As children we were used to jump around and ask a lot of question and be careless. Being hyper, curios, and talkative is part of the definition of the term childhood. Most children enjoy doing these activities, and about 15-20 years ago, it was very normal for a child to be hyperactive or talkative. However, nowadays, these behaviors may suggest a very serious condition. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a very usual childhood disorder, which can continue even through the adolescence and adulthood if left untreated. Symptoms of this disorder are very similar to what we defined as childhood behaviors but in a more obvious or harmful manner. Symptoms include lack of focus and attention, difficulty controlling behaviors, and hyperactivity. Children with ADHD can be defiant, socially inept, or aggressive. Also, adults with this condition have trouble getting organized, staying focused, and not thinking before acting. Moreover, They can be noisy, fidgety, and unable to adapt to any new situation. In this paper, I am going to discuss different types of ADHD, possible reasons for this condition, details about its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment methods, and possible flaws of this disorder.

The trending topic of ADHD and the medication provided has been widely criticized and reviewed for its long and short term affects. Most commonly the concerns are raised from parents struggling to decide whether or not to place their children diagnosed with ADHD on the available prescribed medication. The persistent controversy stems around the long- term effects of stimulant ADHD medication and the development of substance abuse within kids and adults (Zheng, Lichtenstein, Halldner, D’Onofrio, Serlachius, Fazel, Larsson, 2014). Many claims surround the condition is not adequately recognized, while others claim once diagnosed medication is pushed too hard on the parents without knowing the possible hidden dangers or complete understanding

In the United States, 9.5 percent of children between the ages of 3 and 17 were diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD (Morris 1). ADHD is defined as a constant issue with hyperactivity, lack of focus, inability to control behavior, or a combination of these (Berger 1). In order to quell the difficulties caused by ADHD, parents will usually resort to sending their child to a physician to prescribe a specific medication. These medications serve a great purpose, but also include numerous unwanted side effects. As of 2010, 48 percent of 325 surveyed patients reported side effects caused by ADHD medications, the most frequent being loss of appetite, sleep problems and mood swings. About 21 percent of these side effects

The research also found that in 2011, only 3.1 percent of children diagnosed with ADHD taking medication to treat the condition. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are the key that are more severe and occur most often in children diagnosed with this disorder (ADHD). Among the most common symptoms of inattention, cited easily are, distraction, forget things, change frequently from one activity to another and having difficulty concentrating. Also, these children tend to get bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless it is a pleasurable activity, or learning something new about completing tasks. In the case of children with symptoms of hyperactivity, often restless, talk endlessly, tend to move from one place to another and have difficulty sitting and staying still for meals and school (Grady, pp.

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

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses its site to make the public aware of certain disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). This website provides much information and knowledge on this disorder. There is sufficient information regarding ADHD for the reader that is seeking knowledge on this neurodevelopmental disorder. CDC's website provides the reader, or the parents of children with ADHD, with further understanding and knowledge concerning ADHD. The article puts forth the grave and serious facts on Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. CDC explains the three different kinds of ADHD with its causes, and symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD include: hyperactivity, excessive daydreaming, and making unnecessary

I have witnessed a child in my preschool class who has almost all the characteristics of Hyperactivity. The child fidgets when seated, she is sitting and starts moving her hands back and forth, moving her waist from side to side. The teacher would tell her to relax and she would stop but 2 minutes later she would begin again. Also, during group time everyone is seated in a circle, the teacher is talking and she would move from one spot to another and all the teachers have to tell her several times to stay in one spot on the circle. The little girl has a hard time completing a task as well, we would ask her to do something simple and she cannot stay seated for a long period of time. For example, all the children are sitting making a picture of their family and Anaya just makes herself and we tell her “make your mom and dad” and she said “ok” and she makes 2 circles and said “I am done”. We ask her “what about the arms” (at this point she is squirming on the chair) and she said “they have arms”.