ADHD Medication
ADHD Medication
Children have been getting diagnosed with ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder. Many parents believe that their child has the symptoms of ADHD because they cannot stay focused on the task at hand, and using their children to get something that they want. People are over medicating their children and using ADHD as an excuse.
It is negligent to give children medicine such as Methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin, because it is an equivalent to cocaine and is highly addictive. Also, other medications such as Atomoxetine, are known to cause increased thoughts of suicide among children and young adults (Attention). “In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required drug manufactures to place “black box” warnings (the strongest level of …show more content…
warning) on medications used to treat ADHD”. (Attention). Another issue with the use of Methylphenidate is it is abused by people who do not suffer from the ADHD disorder, therefore people use it as a recreational drug because it is similar to cocaine. Some people would use it to stay up all night for work. (Attention). To obtain this drug, many people would fake the symptoms of ADHD, just to be prescribed the medication. (Attention).
Among hyperactive cases, some say the medication is used to improve their ability to absorb and integrate information, the patient becomes more focused and attentive, and when the drug is effective, it starts working within one day (Sussman). Their self-esteem is boosted, and there are less problems with failing academics, and tensions at home because of it. “Understanding how a drug works—demystifying its mechanism of action—can go a long way in overcoming excessive skepticism or antipathy to a psychotropic agent. It can also help in the development of more effective or better-tolerated medications.” (Sussman).
Is medication really required to treat ADHD? Many parents feel pressured into medicating their children. There was a case where a school psychologist told a parent that, “if you do not medicate him, he will medicate himself with drugs and alcohol.” (Marsa). Medications for ADHD can have many severe side effects, including insomnia, loss of appetite, upset stomach, and in some cases, depression, due to taking Ritalin. (Marsa). There have been cases where children have been misdiagnosed, and did not actually have ADHD. Luckily, there were no long term effects, but that is still scary! (Marsa).
There are three types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. (Bren) According to some studies, many adolescents with ADHD are more likely to drop out of school, get pregnant, engage in risky behavior, and less likely to enter into a college. (Bren). “Teens and adults with ADHD have 2 to 3 times more auto accidents and twice the number of severe accidents resulting in vehicle damage and bodily injury as those without ADHD, according to studies done by Barkley and others.” (Bren) Taking medications for ADHD has helped some people be able to focus and even get into college. Children are more likely to take medicine than adults because adults do not want to be on medications all the time. Kids do not really see a difference because the medications help them 24/7. (Bren).
People tend to jump right into getting their kids put on medication, instead of looking closely to the symptoms and trying to find another solution. "Children with the slightest attention problem are sent to be assessed for ADHD at our clinic," says “William Frankenberger,” a psychologist and director of the Human Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. "We can 't believe they were referred. We know the condition is over diagnosed." (Meyer). Some drugs do actually help kids who really have ADHD. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, dyslexia, and even poor vision or hearing can be wrongly diagnosed as ADHD (Meyer). And therefore, people get medicine for it, for all the wrong reasons. One mother complained saying9 teachers have become pushy about putting kids on drugs because they do not want to deal with their behavior. "Their eyes don 't relay to their brain what they 're seeing—and that 's why they 're having difficulties learning," their mother says. "It 's an ongoing fight with the schools, who want me to put my children back on the drugs, and I refuse. I care about my children 's long-term well-being—not a quick fix for their teachers. I think schools have become drug pushers." (Meyer)
ADHD isn’t a disease, it’s a gift. “Rasher argues, “Those with ADHD are multitaskers and think beyond traditional concepts, coming up with creative new ideas.” (Rasher). Those skills helped her later on in life and helped her become a better scholar and teacher. In her high school years, Rasher learned how to cope with her ADHD, by masking it. If she was busy enough to keep people from knowing she could not physically sit still, then no one would know. (Rasher). “The simple goal of staying engaged may not compensate for all or even most cases of ADHD, but it seems to work for me and for my students. It’s not just the fidgety kids who want to a reason to sit still. (Rasher).
Studies say that about 5% of kids take medication, and about 5 to 20% of kids have mental health issues. The whole “overmedicated child” is just a media embellishment. It has become an obsession and storyline that covers up the realities. (Seligson). “A lot of medications do work, not all parents are making their children into sacrificial lambs to their own ambitions, and a number of children do suffer from mental health issues.” (Seligson).
“We’ve Got Issues spotlights a bigger problem: the lack of medical care for many children with mental issues. With an overwhelmed mental-health industry—there are only 7,000 child psychiatrists in the U.S., mostly concentrated in urban areas—most that need help often don’t get it.” (Seligson).
People are overmedicating their kids by using ADHD as an excuse. They use every little thing they can think of to be a “symptom” of ADHD just to get medication for it. Not only can it hurt the child, but it causes long-term damage. Overall, there are pros and cons to using drugs to help with ADHD.
Works Cited
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. Bren, Linda.
"A Combination of Drugs and Therapy Can Help Treat ADHD." Mental Health. Ed. Ann Quigley. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "ADHD: Not Just for Kids Anymore." FDA Consumer Magazine (Nov.-Dec. 2004). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Marsa, Linda. "ADHD Drugs Are Overprescribed for Children." Are Americans Overmedicated? Ed. Tamara Thompson. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. At Issue. Rpt. from "Is ADHD Getting Out of Control?" Ladies Home Journal (Apr. 2005). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Meyer, Michelle. "ADHD Is Overdiagnosed." Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. At Issue. Rpt. from "Should Your Child Really Be on Ritalin?" Better Homes and Gardens 81 (Sept. 2003). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Rasher, Sarah. “Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Is a Gift, Not a Disease.” Behavioral Disorders. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. From “Disorderly Conduct.” Chronicle of Higher education 10 Oct. 2008: B24. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 30 Jan.
2014.
Seligson, Hannah. "ADHD Drugs Are Appropriately Prescribed for Children." Are Americans Overmedicated? Ed. Tamara Thompson. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. At Issue. Rpt. from "The Overmedicated Myth." Daily Beast 2 Mar. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 13 Dec. 2013.
Sussman, Norman. "Drugs Are an Effective Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder." Behavioral Disorders. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Explaining the Cognitive Enhancing Effects of Drugs that Treat ADHD." Primary Psychiatry 15 (2008): 19-20. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Children have been getting diagnosed with ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder. Many parents believe that their child has the symptoms of ADHD because they cannot stay focused on the task at hand, and using their children to get something that they want. People are over medicating their children and using ADHD as an excuse.
It is negligent to give children medicine such as Methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin, because it is an equivalent to cocaine and is highly addictive. Also, other medications such as Atomoxetine, are known to cause increased thoughts of suicide among children and young adults (Attention). “In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required drug manufactures to place “black box” warnings (the strongest level of …show more content…
warning) on medications used to treat ADHD”. (Attention). Another issue with the use of Methylphenidate is it is abused by people who do not suffer from the ADHD disorder, therefore people use it as a recreational drug because it is similar to cocaine. Some people would use it to stay up all night for work. (Attention). To obtain this drug, many people would fake the symptoms of ADHD, just to be prescribed the medication. (Attention).
Among hyperactive cases, some say the medication is used to improve their ability to absorb and integrate information, the patient becomes more focused and attentive, and when the drug is effective, it starts working within one day (Sussman). Their self-esteem is boosted, and there are less problems with failing academics, and tensions at home because of it. “Understanding how a drug works—demystifying its mechanism of action—can go a long way in overcoming excessive skepticism or antipathy to a psychotropic agent. It can also help in the development of more effective or better-tolerated medications.” (Sussman).
Is medication really required to treat ADHD? Many parents feel pressured into medicating their children. There was a case where a school psychologist told a parent that, “if you do not medicate him, he will medicate himself with drugs and alcohol.” (Marsa). Medications for ADHD can have many severe side effects, including insomnia, loss of appetite, upset stomach, and in some cases, depression, due to taking Ritalin. (Marsa). There have been cases where children have been misdiagnosed, and did not actually have ADHD. Luckily, there were no long term effects, but that is still scary! (Marsa).
There are three types of ADHD: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. (Bren) According to some studies, many adolescents with ADHD are more likely to drop out of school, get pregnant, engage in risky behavior, and less likely to enter into a college. (Bren). “Teens and adults with ADHD have 2 to 3 times more auto accidents and twice the number of severe accidents resulting in vehicle damage and bodily injury as those without ADHD, according to studies done by Barkley and others.” (Bren) Taking medications for ADHD has helped some people be able to focus and even get into college. Children are more likely to take medicine than adults because adults do not want to be on medications all the time. Kids do not really see a difference because the medications help them 24/7. (Bren).
People tend to jump right into getting their kids put on medication, instead of looking closely to the symptoms and trying to find another solution. "Children with the slightest attention problem are sent to be assessed for ADHD at our clinic," says “William Frankenberger,” a psychologist and director of the Human Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. "We can 't believe they were referred. We know the condition is over diagnosed." (Meyer). Some drugs do actually help kids who really have ADHD. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, dyslexia, and even poor vision or hearing can be wrongly diagnosed as ADHD (Meyer). And therefore, people get medicine for it, for all the wrong reasons. One mother complained saying9 teachers have become pushy about putting kids on drugs because they do not want to deal with their behavior. "Their eyes don 't relay to their brain what they 're seeing—and that 's why they 're having difficulties learning," their mother says. "It 's an ongoing fight with the schools, who want me to put my children back on the drugs, and I refuse. I care about my children 's long-term well-being—not a quick fix for their teachers. I think schools have become drug pushers." (Meyer)
ADHD isn’t a disease, it’s a gift. “Rasher argues, “Those with ADHD are multitaskers and think beyond traditional concepts, coming up with creative new ideas.” (Rasher). Those skills helped her later on in life and helped her become a better scholar and teacher. In her high school years, Rasher learned how to cope with her ADHD, by masking it. If she was busy enough to keep people from knowing she could not physically sit still, then no one would know. (Rasher). “The simple goal of staying engaged may not compensate for all or even most cases of ADHD, but it seems to work for me and for my students. It’s not just the fidgety kids who want to a reason to sit still. (Rasher).
Studies say that about 5% of kids take medication, and about 5 to 20% of kids have mental health issues. The whole “overmedicated child” is just a media embellishment. It has become an obsession and storyline that covers up the realities. (Seligson). “A lot of medications do work, not all parents are making their children into sacrificial lambs to their own ambitions, and a number of children do suffer from mental health issues.” (Seligson).
“We’ve Got Issues spotlights a bigger problem: the lack of medical care for many children with mental issues. With an overwhelmed mental-health industry—there are only 7,000 child psychiatrists in the U.S., mostly concentrated in urban areas—most that need help often don’t get it.” (Seligson).
People are overmedicating their kids by using ADHD as an excuse. They use every little thing they can think of to be a “symptom” of ADHD just to get medication for it. Not only can it hurt the child, but it causes long-term damage. Overall, there are pros and cons to using drugs to help with ADHD.
Works Cited
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. Bren, Linda.
"A Combination of Drugs and Therapy Can Help Treat ADHD." Mental Health. Ed. Ann Quigley. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Current Controversies. Rpt. from "ADHD: Not Just for Kids Anymore." FDA Consumer Magazine (Nov.-Dec. 2004). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Marsa, Linda. "ADHD Drugs Are Overprescribed for Children." Are Americans Overmedicated? Ed. Tamara Thompson. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. At Issue. Rpt. from "Is ADHD Getting Out of Control?" Ladies Home Journal (Apr. 2005). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Meyer, Michelle. "ADHD Is Overdiagnosed." Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. At Issue. Rpt. from "Should Your Child Really Be on Ritalin?" Better Homes and Gardens 81 (Sept. 2003). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
Rasher, Sarah. “Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Is a Gift, Not a Disease.” Behavioral Disorders. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. From “Disorderly Conduct.” Chronicle of Higher education 10 Oct. 2008: B24. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 30 Jan.
2014.
Seligson, Hannah. "ADHD Drugs Are Appropriately Prescribed for Children." Are Americans Overmedicated? Ed. Tamara Thompson. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. At Issue. Rpt. from "The Overmedicated Myth." Daily Beast 2 Mar. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 13 Dec. 2013.
Sussman, Norman. "Drugs Are an Effective Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder." Behavioral Disorders. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Explaining the Cognitive Enhancing Effects of Drugs that Treat ADHD." Primary Psychiatry 15 (2008): 19-20. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.