The Ritalin Case Summary

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most widely diagnosed “mental-illness” in children in the United States today, and approximately 99% of children diagnosed are prescribed daily doses of methylphenidate in order to control undesirable behaviors. (Stolzer)

The medications doctors are now prescribing are harming our children greatly. The drug that affects our children the most is Ritalin. Doctors are providing these medications to children even before they are properly diagnosed with ADHD. Some critics suggest that some youth are simply immature and have a lack of discipline, which can lead to being mistakenly diagnosed. When ADHD is properly diagnosed doctors still gravitate toward medication, when alternative treatments are available to them.

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.

The use of drug therapy for children with ADHD has escalated to an alarming degree in this “pill popping” world. Most parents as well as educators became more demanding for a “quick fix” for children who have been diagnosed with academic and behavioral problems (O'Dell & Cook, 2004 ). There has been increasing concern about the potential adverse side effects of these medications. Prescriptions and drugs for ADHD come with discussion and directions for use, and the purpose of the drugs. The section for side effects often comes in technical language and small print, and many people do not read this section at all. People tend to stop reading this section when they encounter difficult chemical names and descriptions. Furthermore, some of

Family physicians themselves are under a great deal of pressure from teachers and social workers to prescribe medications such as Ritalin for children who are demonstrating bad behavior or having a difficult time of learning. Even though teachers and social workers are trained to notice and help correct issues, they are most likely not educated on how the drug industry works or the appropriate procedure regarding drug therapy. It is an extremely frightening lethal mixture of ignorance and misplaced trust which remains among social workers and teachers.

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.

Methylphenidate, commonly known as Ritalin was synthesized in 1944 (U.S. Pharmacist, 2002). By 1954, it was being tested on humans to treat: “chronic fatigue, depression, psychosis associated with depression, narcolepsy, and to offset the sedating effects of other medications.” (U.S. Pharmacist, 2002) The interest to use Ritalin to treat the “hyperkinetic syndrome.” (U.S. Pharmacist, 2002) Which later was called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) wasn’t introduced until the 1960s. Many studies have been conducted in order to determine the effects it has on the brain as well as, the tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal with being prescribed Ritalin. Within these studies, the effectiveness of Ritalin on children and youth

Methylphenidate, more commonly known as “Ritalin” was synthesized in 1944 (U.S. Pharmacist, 2002). By 1954, it was being tested on humans to treat “chronic fatigue, depression, psychosis associated with depression, narcolepsy, and to offset the sedating effects of other medications.” (U.S. Pharmacist, 2002) The intent was to use Ritalin to treat the “hyperkinetic syndrome.” (U.S. Pharmacist, 2002) Which was later named Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but wasn’t introduced until the 1960s. Many studies have been conducted in order to determine the effects that it has on the brain, as well as the tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal that may be endured with being prescribed Ritalin. Within the studies, the effectiveness that this medication had on children and youth was considered. This research has shown that Ritalin does in fact have a negative impact on health. It is overprescribed to children, and it is actually unnecessary.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could be a sensitive subject to discuss with a patient or a parent. The parents could easily be in denial and attempt to hide the problem. Diagnosing a child with ADHD is never easy, just like as difficult it is to talk about medication for ADHD. A parent would probably rather try different approaches to treat a child’s attention problem. In some cases, only medication could help a child with ADHD to live their life to their fullest. Medication could ensure the child excels in their education, in extracurricular activities and keeping a good relationship with their family and friends. Although medication could help, medications could also have possible negative side-effects. It is important to

     If the term “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”(ADHD) is mentioned, the first thing that comes to many people’s minds is a drug called Methylphenidate, commonly referred to as “Ritalin”. Most people know Ritalin is prescribed for ADHD, and they most likely know at least one person who is currently taking it. However, in the 1960s, Ritalin and many other amphetamines were recognized as abusive substances, so many new controls were introduced to more closely monitor the prescribing of these drugs. Despite these new restrictions, the abuse and over-prescribing of Ritalin has re-emerged from the shadows.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a phrase that has moved out of the realm of pure science or psychology and into common parlance. Like depression, the public has a general and vague sense of the "type" of person who may have ADHD, and has heard the name Ritalin, the main drug used in treatment, bandied about. As the name of the disorder implies, its symptoms present generally as "inattention and a combination of hyperactive and impulsive behaviors" (2). ADHD has only recently been able to be tangibly identified in the nervous system, and its' diagnostic criteria has continued to be revised. The discovery of specific physiological

“Shhh” “raise your hand next time” “are you even listening to me” “can you please sit down”. I was always told I was an energetic child, parading through the hallways, never raising my hand, and never sitting still for long. My teachers also noticed I was learning at a slower pace compared to my peers. They believed the signs I expressed correlated with ADHD. Since 4th grade, I have been diagnosed with a type of behavioral disorder, also known as ADHD. I, like many other affected people, take medication to reduce the effects of ADHD. ADD SENTENCE ABOUT MEDICATION. This essay, will examine how thousands of affected people take medication, specifically Ritalin, as a way to reduce, ease, and improve the symptoms caused by ADHD.

The “better safe than sorry” mentality leads to over diagnosis in adolescent ADHD furthermore causing the concern of overprescribing of medication as treatment and “overly managing” the disorder. Approximately 4.6 million children between age 6 and 17 received a diagnosis of ADHD, and over half of them (59%) were given medication (Parens and Johnston, 2009). Some of the usual prescribed medicines to those with ADHD is that of Ritalin and Adderall – drugs that are classified in the same category as cocaine, opium, and amphetamines, all which are a schedule II controlled substance in the Drug Enforcement Agency (Pomeroy, 2013). Proponents of medication of children broadcast the evidence of effectiveness of the medication with reducing the primary symptoms of ADHD. Although these stimulants have the same reinforcing effect as cocaine, many swear by the difference instantly made by medication, hence why doctors administer the drugs after diagnosis. Others also believe that medication distribution is more economically efficient as well as time efficient because of its quick acting effects. Because doctors are faced with severe payer and clinical time constraints, many physicians diagnose ADHD following it by fast-acting medication (Connor, 2011). Therefore, as over diagnosis of ADHD increased, so has the amount of prescription to children. However, “although theories regarding the cause of these increases abound, what has not surfaced is a clear consensus on whether increases in

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

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