Ritalin And Adderall: A Case Study

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.

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 the most commonly found disorder in children in the United States. Statistics show that the male to female ratio for children with ADHD is eight to one. 4.4 million Children between the ages four to seventeen have diagnosed with ADHD (Cheng Tina L et al.). African American children are at a higher risk for having ADHD. Caucasian children are least likely to have ADHD. 2.5 million children receive medication for ADHD, but African American children are half as likely as Caucasian children to take ADHD medication(Cheng Tina L et al.). If African American children do not take medication for ADHD the child will most likely do drugs, drop out of school, or find it harder to receive a job when they get older. There is not cure for children who have ADHD, but there is medication children can take to decrease their hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. Adderall, Methylin, Concerta, and Focalin are some of the medications given for children who have ADHD. Methylphenidate is the most common medication prescribed by physicians for ADHD. “Methylphenidate takes effects within fifteen minutes of taking it and lasts between four and twelve hours a day.” (Hughes, Katsiyannis, and Ryan). Although medication is out there for the children to take, some of the medication given haves negative side effects. ADHD is not preventable. Parents should not only avoid drinking, smoking, or doing any other type of drugs to prevent ADHD, but also to prevent

It is determined ADHD, is caused by an imbalance of chemicals affecting certain parts of the human brain that work with attention, impulses and concentration Mall & Holland, (2013). Some of the symptoms include daydreaming, forgetting or losing items, and having difficulty resisting temptation. Some of the medication that is provided to patients with ADHD is Ritalin and Concerta. There are some concerns that ADHD medication may led to substance abuse Brown University, (2013). According to Brown University, (2013), the increase in the diagnosis of ADHD may have resulted from over – diagnoses of ADHD or inaccurate information reported from the parents that were surveyed by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). This report has raised questions about the increase in ADHD

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

According to the APA (2014), ADHD is a behavioral condition that makes focusing on everyday requests and routines challenging. Children with ADHD can be defiant, fidgety, noisy, socially inept, aggressive, and resist change (APA 2014). Medications such as Ritalin, Adderall, or Strattera are the most common form of treatment for children with ADHD. These medications are usually effective in modifying behavior, but seldom result in academic improvement. The medications also have an extensive list of potential side effects including rash, loss of appetite, and trouble breathing. Alternative therapies such as play therapy, cognitive therapy, psychotherapy, behavioral therapy and special ADHD diets do exist. With these alternative methods

A medication commonly used to treat ADHD is Adderall, and Adderall is a drug used to increase a person’s ability to pay attention, stay focused on an activity, and control behavior problems. Adderall changes the certain natural substance of Amphetamine, a stimulant, in a person’s brain. (WEBMD) Since this drug is a stimulant of the brain it has become very common and popular for those who are not diagnosed

ritalin is one of the most prescribed medication for children with attention deficit disorders. However, in recent years, it is being prescribed more and more in cases where attention deficit disorders are not present. The disorder is no longer a requirement for one to obtain Ritalin. This epidemic has spark controversial in the medical field as well as in the homes of the children being prescribed this medication. In this particular case, Teresa T and George L. took their child, Mike, to his pediatrician. The parents explained to the doctor that Mike is having difficulties in school and at home with focusing and following directions properly. They fear he may have Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder and they would like him to be prescribed

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.

I feel it is the child and family decision to decide if the child should take the medication. The medication that the psychiatrist may prescribe to the child could show improvement overall with grades, attention span, with social skills and relationships but I feel it is a 50/50 decision because you want to weigh the positive and negative outcomes of the child taking medication. Ongoing debates related to ADHD include the nature of children (boys in particular) and of schooling, the widespread use of psychotropic medication, and the extent to which those diagnosed with ADHD are “responsible” for their

The perspective I would use, as the clinician, for Felix's condition, is cognitive behavioral therapy. I would use CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) because it’s a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. The goal of CBT is to change patterns of thinking or behavior that are behind people's difficulties, and so change the way they feel. This would seem like the ideal solution to help Felix battle his troubles with focusing in school and the appearance of irritability and sadness or so depression. Based on this case study I would go ahead and conclude that it seems that Felix has ADHD. Some signs that point to this is his symptoms, which are the inability to

ADHD medication should not be prescribed to children under the age of 13. The developing brain of a child is delegate. Between 1990 and 2000 182 children died from ADHD medications. ADHD medications side effects are more intense for a child then it is for a adult. Stephanie Hall, a 11 year old child was diagnosed with ADHD. She was prescribed Ritalin for her ADHD. Her dose of ritalin was increased due to increased depression and falling grades. The day her dosage was increased she passed away in her sleep of cardiac arrest. There are many ways a child can be treated for ADHD instead of putting them on medication. With children I believe they should see a therapist rather than being put on medication. There are many articles and interviews

Getting distracted by things in your environment, fidgeting in one’s chair while the teacher is trying to teach, and an inability to be patient are a few of the symptoms that could contribute to a child being diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, or ADD. This condition has become such a normal part of society that episodes of television shows, such as The Simpsons and South Park, have been created to make the condition and the drugs used to treat it seem humorous. These drugs, such as Ritalin and Concerta, are strong stimulants classified as Schedule II prescription drugs. Although these drugs can, to some extent, help children in focusing their attention, they are not the most effective way of treating attention deficit disorder.

Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (AD(H)D) continues to be a growing concern for parents and patients alike. AD(H)D creates difficulty in several areas of life, so treatment is often sought to ameliorate the troublesome symptoms. After receiving a diagnosis, patients are often recommended to take an effective type of medication that is classified as a ‘stimulant,’ as this treatment is often the most efficient. There is a growing concern about the effects to a patient that these drugs may have, as treatment can begin at early ages and continue through adulthood. The consequences of taking a medication, either long-term, short-term, positive, or negative, are important to both healthcare providers and patients. There is a lack of conclusive evidence that suggests any negative long-term effects from stimulants, thus these effects will be considered in lesser detail. This begs the question, do the short-term benefits of stimulants, namely Vyvanse and Adderall, used to treat Attention Deficit with or without Hyperactivity outweigh the potential costs? There will be an introductory statement of the disorder as well as the exploration of the effects of short-term stimulants on adults and children.