The Debate Over Ritalin Use by Children with ADHD

Ritalin is another example of a prescription ADHD stimulant that is misused frequently with a high mortality rate from overdose. Ritalin, which is more prevalent with high school age students, is primarily misused for weight loss and a feeling being high. The majority of children misusing prescription drugs such a Ritalin are under the impression that it is safer then illegal street drugs (CCHR, 2013). Ritalin is the most common stimulant drug prescribed to children with ADHD, but is also prescribed for other disorders, such as cancer, brain injury and pain management (Morton & Stockton, 2000). According to Morton & Stockton (2000) the effects of Ritalin are similar to the feeling of using cocaine, which may be one of the reasons that the ADHD drug is misused. According to research done by Musser et al. (1998) most school aged children using Ritalin did not think that Ritalin or any other prescription medication for ADHD could be abused. This ignorance may be part of the overwhelming reason that drugs such as Ritalin are becoming more widely

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.

Most Americans have heard of Ritalin and Adderall, either being used to calm hyperactive children or used illegally across every college campus for the purpose of studying. These are two completely different circumstances, which may be confusing to some. The reason that these two different groups of people get two vastly different results from the same drug is that these belong to the drug class of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. CNS stimulants increase alertness mentally and physically, but do the opposite for those with hyperactivity disorders. This is because these drugs release dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is related with motivation (Healthline Editorial Team).

When taken as prescribed, Ritalin is a valuable medicine. Research shows that people with ADHD do not become addicted to stimulant medications when taken at prescribed treatment dosages. However, because of Ritalin’s stimulant properties, in recent years high levels of abuse of Ritalin by people who are not prescribed, has been reported.

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

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

This academic journal is written by Shaheen E. Lakhan. (source and author) The point of this segment was to test how people react to prescriptive stimulants. Those who have ADHD and those who do not. (summary) This source is helpful to my research because it compares the effects on students that take adderall, prescribed to them or not. (relevance)

There are two groups of stimulants: methylphenidate-based medications, which include Ritalin, Concerta, and Metadate, and dextroamphetamine-based medications, which include Adderall, Vyvanse, and Dexedrine (Boorady 2). The two most popular of these groups, Ritalin and Adderall, have these similar side effects: loss of appetite, insomnia, dizziness, nervousness, and prone to raising blood pressure (Ogbru 1). Both of these medications are also similar in short-acting and long-acting formulations, but, according to Susan York Morris, Ritalin is highly preferred over Adderall because it reaches its performance peak much more quickly, and prevents cells from reabsorbing norepinephrines, a precursor of adrenaline (Marcovitch 476), and dopamine, a precursor of norepinephrines that conveys inhibitory in the neurological system (Marcovitch 197), keeping them active in the brain.. (Morris 2). As a child, my parents began the process of testing different medications to treat my ADHD, and they began with Ritalin because it received the majority of positive results. Unfortunately, after random spurts of aggression, irritability, and unrest, they had to try a different medication. Next, they tested Adderall, but the same results occurred, but at greater rates than the

Addiction, classification and possible side effects are all hidden dangers when receiving medication to treat ADHD. Not knowing the true risks of consuming a stimulant drug could have harmful side effects on the human body People who seek medication for the treatment of their ADHD symptoms should be aware of the risks. Families should research the possible long term effects this medication could have on their child. An educated consumer will be able to notice the harmful side effects and stop taking the

Thesis: Today there is a great debate concerning the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD and who has the right to decide what happens.

Ritalin is currently prescribed to approximately six million people in the US. Of those six million, 75% of these are children, with boys receiving Ritalin about four times more often than girls. 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. Not only is Ritalin used to treat ADD and ADHD, it is also used to treat a sleeping disorder called Narcolepsy, which is an uncontrollable desire to sleep, but 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 dopamine.

To add to that, the research that has been conducted on the disorder has led to a variety of effective treatments. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2014) the most widely used medication is a stimulant. There is a wide variety of stimulants available for ADHD subjects. Although, with these stimulants come side effects including sleep problems, decreased appetite, anxiety and other diverse uncommon side effects (NIMH, 2014). Stimulants tend to calm children with ADHD. However, these medications can be detrimental to the patient in many ways. Certain medications have been subject to abuse, including Adderall and Ritalin. These medications are in some cases abused by patients who are over diagnosed. Since these patients do not have the disorder they can feel the side effects and use the drug to achieve a certain kind of high. When using these drugs for non-medical purposes they can seem to replicate the effects of cocaine

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.

Some researchers claim that Ritalin does not lead to drug abuse. Everyone who has taken Ritalin does not use other drugs. Biederman, who is a researcher, conducted a research about Ritalin and the connection to drugs. Biederman stated, “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity (ADHD) boys treated with stimulants such as Ritalin are significantly less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol when they are older rather than ADHD boys who are not treated. This evidence proves that Ritalin reduces the possibility of drug abuse later in life. On the other hand, other researchers claim that the addiction of Ritalin has a connection with other drugs. Ritalin has characteristics of other drugs such as cocaine. Ritalin and cocaine both increase dopamine levels in the

to experience the disorder. The rate of Ritalin use in the United States is at