Th Medicating Children: A Case Study

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a condition many children and young adult are diagnosed with today. ADHD is caused by the lack of focus, being overactive, or not being able to control certain behavior. There are many symptoms shown that can lead towards the diagnoses of ADHD, but there are no test that can be used to diagnose the disorder in children and young adults. As more people seem to develop the issue, the central question of, “Is the disorder even needed?”, comes to mind. One side of the argument sides with the many people that believe this deficiency can have a major impact on ones life, effecting their social and learning skills and medicine is highly advised. The other side believes that it is all psychology behind the diagnosis. This side believes that the medicine prescribed is being abused. Many say kids are taking these drugs such as adderall and vyvance to increase and help focus their behavior. It is believed that this is an issue because the kids that are taking these medications are kids that may not need them. Since there is technically no official test that leads to ADHD, it can basically be diagnosed towards anyone. Being a teenager in high school, the temptation to not abuse these kinds of drugs only increases throughout high school. If the government were to prevent society from being able to be prescribed this drug it would have a huge effect on American culture. It is important to grasp a good understanding of both sides of this

Michael Jordan, one of the all-time greatest basketball legends, explains how to overcome obstacles in life: “If you are trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Michael Jordan, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Michael Phelps, Walt Disney (Sonny) - all of these very successful men have one significant thing in common. They are all diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperniss Disorder (ADHD). This can be considered proof that people with ADHD are capable of great things. In Jordan's quote, he talks about roadblocks and how people should overcome them. In this instance ADHD is the roadblock and medication is the way around it. Those who have ADHD should be medicated because the stigma of the disorder and medication continues to lessen with time and information, the positives of taking medication outweigh the negatives, the selection of medications is becoming more varied, and it allows the patient to advance in school and their careers. Many people are against medication due to ignorance, when all they need is a better understanding of the effects of it. The number of patients diagnosed with ADHD taking medication is rising due to the accessibility of the information. Many people are seeing how the good outweigh the bad which

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.

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

The trend of over medicating children with ADHD is labeled well with the phrase anesthetization of our youth. “Anesthetize- deprive if feeling or awareness.” (Oxford Dictionary, 2014) Many children often express to their parents that they feel as if they are a walking zombie. A child may find that they are having memory issues, are not quite themselves, and feel overly drowsy. “ADHD medications often change a child’s personality creating what many kids with ADHD (and their parents) refer to as a zombie state or making them more aggressive.” (Barnett H., P. 1, 2013) Children with ADHD have other options for treatment but unfortunately medications are pushed on them at an alarming rate. The government paved the road for the pharmaceutical industry for ADHD medications in the 1990’s.

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.

When looking at medicating a teen fro ADHD it is important to make sure they will not abuse the medication and either give it to someone who does not need it or overuse it. A webMD article states, “ The survey also found that one in seven non-students of similar age also report abusing stimulant medications” (WebMD). This becomes a problem when so many people are doing it. They are overusing the drug instead of its sole purpose. When

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.

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

In conclusion, Adderall is a dangerous drug that should not be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Students and people everywhere taking these pills non medically need to understand the dangers associated with taking Adderall and the risks being taken every time they consume this dangerous medication. Parents of the young children being prescribed Adderall need to look into different treatment options before just giving their child a dangerous schedule II drug. Though Adderall can help some of its users, it should not be given to children. It is a dangerous drug to use even for the people that actually need it, everyone with ADHD should look into other options for treatment. Doctors need to step up and stop giving these

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

I agree with you, Medicaid has provided coverage to individuals and families with low incomes and few resources. In fact, Medicaid coverage includes various other programs for the betterment of the people such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (ESPDT), The Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) of 1999 and The New Freedom Initiative. For instance, CHIP offers health insurance coverage for uninsured children. EPSDT offers healthcare benefits like prevention, early detection, and treatment to children under age twenty-one. TWWIIA provides healthcare services to workers with disabilities. The New Freedom Initiative reduces barriers to full community integration

ADD/ADHD is a disease that affects many children in the U.S. Most who are diagnosed with the disease take prescription amphetamines (Hitt). The name amphetamine can be very intimidating, as it is normally associated with the extremely addictive, and illegal drug, methamphetamine. Many parents are worried about their children taking these drugs and how they will be affected (Boorady). Scientists and doctors are currently conducting research on the long term and short term side effects of these medications (Long-Term). As a result, there is much controversy over how ADHD medication affects a child’s body.

Parents have been developing a concern of the drugs Ritalin and Adderall which are the main prescriptions given to children with attention deficiencies. Parents get overwhelmed with the idea that these medications are the only ways to reach a solution to their childrens’ disorders, however are their views being obstructed? The question to be being posed her is, why do parents suddenly turn to some sort of drug to treat their children? There are many alternative, safer, and more effective methods that have been proven to treat impairments such as ADD or ADHD for long periods of time with no OTC drug use. It has also been proven that many children that have been prescribed drugs that are intended to treat them do not show any signs of improvement in school or behavior. The drug’s side effects can also be devastating due to the lack of development of a child’s immune system and bodily functions as opposed to a grown adult’s. With a change in the child’s diet and proper nourishment of the vital vitamins and minerals, behavioral issues will nevertheless appear to go away in addition to supplemental psychological treatment. Just from being a student in high school first-hand, it’s

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.