The Drugging of our Children

The very first step in deciding if prescription medication is the right choice for a child is knowing with certainty that the child has a real medical condition. Studies show that close to one in five children are misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) (Sherlock, Tracy). If it is suspected that a child suffers from ADD it is important that the child receive extensive testing to make certain the diagnosis is accurate. There are several tests that can be administered by a specialist including: a general physical, a neurological exam, a comprehensive interview with the child and others in a position of care for the child, an observation of the child’s everyday activities, and psychological tests to measure IQ and social and

“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.

When looking into medicating a teen or child is important to look at the look term effects or if they really need medication. Overmedicating teens and children for ADD and ADHD has become a serious problem around the world. Including worsening drug abuse, negative side effects and the parent pressure to medicate.

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.

Not being able to keep still, talking out of turn, and not being able to resist temptation are many traits of a child under the age of twelve; also, the symptoms of a child diagnosed with ADHD. Though there isn’t a test to determine whether or not a child has ADHD many psychiatrists are quick to incline that the child may have this behavioral disorder even though they could just be acting like children. Not only are psychiatrists too quick to diagnose they’re also quick to prescribe medications that have high risks of causing behavioral changes and disruption of the chemical balance within the brain. Children under the age of twelve should never be diagnosed and/or prescribed medication for attention deficit hyperactivity

The drug war in America has shaped our society into what we know it as today, the war has so far been a failure where hundreds of millions of dollars, workforce, and policies have only served to maintain the same rates of usage as those in the 1970’s. When the drugs hit America, they hit hard. Overwhelmed by drugs showing up in almost every town, America decided to declare war.

Children with behavioral or emotional problems are being over medicated by psychiatrists who are too busy to provide therapy, because of parents who are too occupied to provide a healthy environment for their children. The most common category of medication given to children are stimulants, to be specific, methylphenidate which is found in drugs such as Ritalin. Stimulants are controlled subjects, this means it has potential for abuse and since these medications are prescribed for long periods of time, even into adulthood, it is not uncommon to quickly form a dependency. If you’re faced with the decision whether to put your child on ADHD medication, you want to know what possible long-term effects it could have on their developing body and brain, for example, sleep problems, decreased appetite, delayed growth, headaches, tics, etc. Pushing pharmaceuticals onto a child that does not need any is destructive to both the child and their development and making childhood prescriptions a social norm is detrimental to a pharmaceutical recovery in

Everyday there are children receiving some kind of prescribed drug for psychological problems such as ADHD,anxiety disorder,autism,and many other disorders.However, children that are given prescribed drugs are usually given to them for convenience rather than necessity.Providing a child prescribed drugs at such a young age can lead to problems with their health in the future as well as other harming side effects,also nutrition is often overlooked and drugs prescribed may be doing more harm than good.Further more, children that are diagnosed with a psychological disorder and receive public assistance are more likely to receive off label medication which can be more dangerous. Therefore, children are not capable of sustaining the effects of prescribed medication because some children may be overdiagnosed and drugged for “parent convenience” ,there are dangerous long term side effects to some of

When a child is taken to see a doctor for behavioural problems the General Practitioner will refer these children to a child phycologist or paediatrician. They are then examined and asked a series of questions which inevitably leads to being diagnosed with ADD or ADHD and leaving with a prescription for Ritalin (G Bell 2014). This medication has been known to cause adverse side effects in many children. There is also the problem of misdiagnosing the child’s condition and with the view that alternative treatments are available, Ritalin should not be used as a first solution in the treatment of behavioural problems in children.

Today millions of American cildren are being prescribed potent behavioral modification drugs such as Ritalin and Prozac. According to the investigaation from the Frontline video "Medicating Kids" (2001) rapiidly growing use of psychoactive drugs on children and the long term effects it has on both parents and children. The video shows an intimate portrait of several families in an American suburb and the many ways medication

In recent years, America has begun to experience a sudden incline in the number of ADHD diagnoses, specifically in children. This curious epidemic has been looked into by countless people in various fields of study. One take on the issue is family therapist, Marilyn Wedge’s, book, A Disease Called Childhood. Throughout the book, Wedge makes a provoking argument that suggests ADHD is not a disease on its own, but rather a cumulation of symptoms from other underlying problems. Yet Wedge does not only aim to discredit ADHD as a disease; she also goes on to urge her readers to follow her advice to protect their children. Specifically in chapter 10, “Protecting Children in the Age of Adderall” Wedge’s purpose is to persuade parents to follow her

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.

When "20/20" and "Oprah" did segments about ADD on television, many parents felt that they finally knew what was "wrong" with their kids. They rushed to the doctor's office to find out how they could "fix" the problem. Most soon discovered a drug called Ritalin. It sounded simple. All they had to do was give their rambunctious or hyperactive child a pill three or four times a day, and magically he or she would be a perfect little angel. Most were so happy to find a cure that they did not stop to contemplate other methods of treatment, possible side effects, or get a second opinion. Dr. Sharon Collins believes this is because, "It takes time for parents and teachers to talk to kids. It takes

The War on Drugs has led to an increase in the mass incarceration of people of color and minorities, which is a problem in the United States. In the past thirty years, the number of females jailed across the country, many of whom are poor with mental health and drug problems. The increase in the incarceration of females has had a devastating impact on their children, families and communities. This paper will describe the authors of Upper Bunkies Unit and Orange Is the New Black who wrote their respective books about the same prison, the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut, a low-security female prison. Both books contain many themes, such as broken families, limited services available and substance abuse treatment. This paper will also explore many factors influencing the success or failure of incarcerated females in reintegrating after their release from prison. Literature will be used to provide insight into the lives of females behind bars by focusing on their well-being and resources available. In addition, the current trend in treatment, such as substance abuse and mental health treatments will be discussed. Lastly, collateral consequences will be explored.