In today’s elementary and middle schools across the country, students are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (A.D.H.D.) in staggering numbers. It is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder for children. Young children are being prescribed psychotropic drugs even though formal testing is not available for accurate A.D.H.D. diagnosis. There has been growing controversy between, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, parents and educators about proper diagnosis tools and treatment for A.D.H.D. Many argue that the testing tools are too subjective which leads to false diagnoses and that other treatments beside medication should be delivered first. Others believe that clear diagnoses can be made and that medication …show more content…
Nevertheless, these quick diagnoses are putting lots of money in some peoples’ pockets and it could be at the expense of children’s health. Pharmaceutical companies manufacture and generate millions of dollars from sales in A.D.H.D. medication. Treated with stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall pharmaceutical companies have encouraged the use of medication treatment. Keith Conners, a psychologist and early advocate for recognition of A.D.H.D., said, “the number of children on medication for the disorder had soared to 3.5 million from 600,000 in 1990” (Schwarz). He blames this rise in numbers on the pharmaceutical companies’ campaigns aimed at publicizing the disorder and promoting the use of medication to doctors, parents and teachers. Advertising on television and in widespread magazine like Good Housekeeping they claim that common difficult childhood behaviors can be cured by medication. “The Food and Drug Administration has cited every major A.D.H.D. drug stimulants like Adderall, Concerta, Focalin and Vyvanse, and nonstimulants like Intuniv and Strattera for false and misleading advertising since 2000, some multiple times” (Schwaz). The pharmaceutical companies are not the only ones making money. Pharmaceutical companies have paid doctors to publish research that encourage diagnosing children with A.D.H.D. and medication treatments. They have described the side effects of medication like Adderall as mild even though
Attention Deficit hyperactive disorder is a prevalent and ever rising affliction in modern societies. “According to the American Psychiatric Association (2009), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders in school-aged children(Saemi 179)”.While the initial response to handling the syndrome is to medicate it and continually medicate to stem the Simpsons. This is not a temporary instance to cure the disease just a never ending cycle. It is my belief that not only is the medication over prescribed, but the alternative methods are to quickly overlooked. To clarify, I do not argue that the medication is uncalled for and should be removed. Only that everyone who has the condition should be
In today's fast-paced society, it seems that prescription drugs are a more reasonable and reliable solution for children and adults than diet and exercise for the "disease" known as ADHD. Rather than take the time to play with their children, or institute a proper diet, it seems that increasing numbers of parents would rather treat their children's unexplained zest for life with pills and doctors. While there are some explanations and reasons for the diagnosis of this popular disease, most children are improperly diagnosed, and are therefore taking unneeded medication. This medication is costly and it can be argued those who benefit from the sale of these drugs most are the
This overabundance of coverage has led to a kind of public hysteria, parents and doctors now see ADHD around every corner. It has almost become a social norm for a child in school to have ADHD. One could argue that ADHD isn't necessarily a disorder but an unfortunate byproduct of a fast paced reward driven Society. Luckily there is hope. Recent studies have been done and new tests have been designed to help curb the tide of malingering in terms of ADHD. “The IVA CPT adequately distinguished adults with ADHD from non-ADHD” (Colleen A Quinn 2003) Many people will fake the symptoms of ADHD in order to get access to the prescriptions given to those who suffer from the disorder I say few that these medications will help give them in the edge in their work or home life. Students will sometimes take these drugs and hopes that will help them focus on the paper that there trying to write or give them that needed edge to focus on the test they are taking the next day. Either is are pursuing these drugs for recreational use they are hoping for a high off of the schedule
“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.
Over the past couple of decades there has been a huge increase in the diagnosis and prescriptions given out for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. According to a news report done by USA Today over the past five years use of ADHD medications have risen 40% totaling 39.5 million individual prescriptions ("New findings," 2009). When statistics like this are seen it is only normal for someone to ask questions. People are becoming curious about the legitimacy of the disorder, and whether or not the treatments being given to individuals are appropriate. The argument seems to be strong on both sides of the fence, but the extensive research done on ADHD leaves it hard for one to believe that it is a made up disorder.
Teachers say that they fit to the learning curriculum better while they take these ADHD medications. Children don’t need to fit to the educational system. The educational system needs to fit to the wide range of children. All children learn differently. Instead of using drugs, they need to use behavior therapies. Some schools think the more kids they have taking the medicine the better test scores will be. Education testing policy is to blame for ADHD diagnosis explosion. The number of children diagnosed with ADHD has doubled in the past two decades,some say the reason lies in educational
When children are little and not feeling well, all it took for them to give that partially energetic smile was for either mommy or daddy to kiss where they were hurting, or give them a hug to make them feel better. In today’s times where feeling bad can be as simple as a cold to a lifelong ailment like ADHD, the usage of medication can help whether it is prescribed or over-the-counter. From the simplicity of an aspirin-a-day to help prevent a heart attack to being prescribed morphine to aid in extreme pain cases. When it comes to any illness, medication can be an essential factor in the recovery regiment or as the means to control the illness. ADHD is no exception. One of the most recognized medications
“The figures showed that an estimated 6.4 million children ages 4 through 17 had received an A.D.H.D. diagnosis at some point in their lives, a 16 percent increase since 2007 and a 41 percent rise in the past decade. About two-thirds of those with a current diagnosis receive prescriptions for stimulants like Ritalin or Adderall, which can drastically improve the lives of those with A.D.H.D. but can also lead to addiction, anxiety and occasionally psychosis.” (Schwarz) These increasing rates at which Adderall and other stimulants are being prescribed are contributing to the pills availability
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the most extensive studied peditric mental disorder. With the controversey and public debat surrounding the diagnosis and medical treatment use many parents of children dignosis have raised many questions and concerns with the over use of over prescribing stimulant medication.
Some students have major difficulties in life when faced with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or more commonly referred to as “ADHD” , although if recognized early by noticing symptoms this disorder can be properly treated and contained causing minimal troubles for the victim. ADHD will distinguish itself commonly at an early age. There are exceptions to this with ADHD in adults. Some people can go years without noticing their disorder. These people in particular fall to the devastating effects of this disorder. They do have the power in their
Are we overmedicating our children? ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is considered a neurological disorder in childhood. According to the CDC in 2011, 5% of children have been diagnosed with ADHD and 6.1% of these children are being medicated with a stimulant. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC; 2014) Stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse. Children are medicated for ADHD as young as 2 and 3 years old. One has to wonder if we are simply medicating our children instead of providing a stable home environment along with proper therapy or counseling.
In recent years, there are more people receiving treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder than ever before. In 2005, it was estimated that about 3 to 7% of the country’s school aged children had a diagnosis of ADHD (Hall, Irwin, Bowman, Frankenberg, Jewett, 2005). Many researchers agree that this increase was caused by changes in special education laws that occurred in 1991 with the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act which increased services to students with ADHD and consequently led to an increase in diagnoses (Chau, 2007). In the years following this new legislation, there was a 9- fold increase in the amount of ADHD stimulant medication prescriptions written (Carroll, McLaughlin & Blake, 2006). With
Miguel Humara, Ph. D states that, “The most effective form of treatment for ADD and ADHD are cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychotropic medication”. All of the children featured in the film had a history of being on some sort of psychotropic medication, the most common being Ritalin. These drugs are most commonly meant for people ages eighteen years or older, but doctors were being lazy and just prescribing these drugs to small children also. Comparing an eighteen year old on Ritalin to a seven year old on it, they had different side effects. While the eighteen year old was experiencing headache and vomiting, the seven year old was hallucinating and unconsciously doing violent acts. Obvious to viewers that these had long term consequences to younger aged children. This information makes sense and is valid from people with first-hand experience, but what about the people with no horrendous side effects? What about the doctors that do rule out everything before trying out medicine? These things should have also been addressed throughout the film for accurate accusation. The argument is strong and makes the audience think about medicating young children and is definitely persuasive in making them agree. This argument makes the audience think more in depth of the side effects of medication on young children in both their short term and long term effects. Null, throughout the entire film, speaks to the audience through the credibility of doctors, educators, and
Children today are affected by a number of developmental and behavioral disorders. One that has become very common over the years is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. This disorder is diagnosed to individuals who cannot focus well and have apparent restless behavior. Those who are diagnosed with this disorder seem to be young or adolescent, and the numbers are continuing to increase. Due to the increase in numbers, many alarmed parents are quick to jump to giving their kids medication. This method is quite controversial and has some advantages and disadvantages to it. Some believe that today’s physicians will over-diagnose children with ADHD, leading to normal kids receiving unneeded prescriptions of powerful stimulants. However, there is still a large need of medication for children who are truly suffering from this mental disorder. When one is properly diagnosed with ADHD, there are many advantages to treating with medication.