Preview

Preventing Adhd Misdiagnoses in Children

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
3138 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Preventing Adhd Misdiagnoses in Children
Unit 9 Project – Preventing ADHD Misdiagnoses in Children
Lisa Perdue
Kaplan University

CM220-18
Professor Manning
April 3, 2012

Preventing ADHD Misdiagnoses in Children
“The drugging of children for A.D.H.D. has become an epidemic.” (Breggin, 2011, Para.1). More than five million children between the ages of 3 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD (CDC, 2012) and almost three million children have been prescribed stimulant medications to treat this disorder (Breggin, 2011). Several studies have been done to show the alarming rate of ADHD misdiagnoses in children and the many reasons why. There are also numerous studies showing that ADHD medication can lead to heart problems and later life memory problems. Upon learning more about the health risks of ADHD medication and knowing of the effects that these medications can have on children in adulthood, we need to find a way to be sure of a medical diagnosis before prescribing these medications. It has become apparent that the many misdiagnoses of ADHD has incorrectly medicated many children and may lead to dangerous long term effects.
Recently concern has been raised that the existing criteria for diagnosing ADHD might be too conservative or restrictive. Due to this concern, a study was performed to see how many therapists were over diagnosing ADHD and why. Researchers compared how many boys vs. girls were diagnosed along with how many therapists used the diagnostic requirements vs. subjective assumptions of the disorder. In this study 20% of therapists diagnosed ADHD even though two of the diagnostic criteria were not met also shows that the over diagnosis of ADHD resulted in more frequent recommendation for medication and that the majority of children receiving stimulant treatment fell far below the threshold of an ADHD diagnosis. Results from this study show that in addition to the issues about the adequacy of the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, a major objective should also be addressing the


References: Breggin, P. (2010). Stimulants for ADHD Shown to Cause Sudden Death in Children. The Blog, Huffington Post Bruchmüller, K., Margraf, J., & Schneider, S. (2012). Is ADHD diagnosed in accord with diagnostic criteria? Over diagnosis and influence of client gender on diagnosis CDC. (2012).  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Centers for Disease Control. And Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/adhd.htm Childs, D.; Neale, T.; Med Page Today (2009) Gardner, A. (2011). No Increase In Heart Attack, Stroke Risk Seen With ADHD Meds. Health Magazine, CNN Hickey, J. (2010). ADHD Misdiagnosis Identified by New Study. ABC News. Retrieved from: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=7829005&page=1#.T141SfXZV8E Landau, E. (August 18, 2010).  Nearly 1 million ADHD misdiagnoses, study says. The Chart, CNN Thompson, T. (2012). ADHD Natural Remedies. Native Remedies. Retrieved from: http://www.nativeremedies.com/articles/adhd-natural-remedies.html Webber, W. (2004). Alternatives for AHD. Bastyr Center for Natural Health. Retrieved from: http://www.bastyrcenter.org/content/view/189/
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Overprescribing Ritalin in the United States
    • 1740 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Overprescribing Ritalin in the United States

    Over the past 40 years there has been a great deal of controversy regarding the distribution of the leading stimulant Ritalin among ADHD patients. Many critics feel that the drug is widely overprescribed. “Additionally, they claim that Ritalin (methylphenidate) is inherently dangerous and that the entire system of the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD is seriously flawed,” (Safer, 2000). On the other hand, there are individuals that have dealt with ADHD patients first hand and swear by the beneficial results they have witnessed. The major points of both supporters and critics will be expressed throughout this paper. After discussing both positions, the writer of this research paper will present a final conclusion and a personal opinion of the topic.…

    • 1740 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Is Stimulant Medication the Best Option for Adhd Children
    • 2318 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Is Stimulant Medication the Best Option for Adhd Children

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders among children. ADHD can cause them to be hyper, have problems controlling impulse behaviors and trouble paying attention. The common treatment for ADHD is both medication and behavioral therapies starting as early as age four going up into adulthood. This paper will cover the research studies of four different treatments for AHDH to include stimulant medication, non-stimulant medications, behavior therapy, and the natural approach. With the increase in both children diagnosed with ADHD and the amount of children who are being medicated for ADHD, are stimulant medications the best option when other treatments are available when following the research studies?…

    • 2318 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    EDFS 352 Research Paper Ellen Kerr
    • 1483 Words
    • 5 Pages

    EDFS 352 Research Paper Ellen Kerr

    The prevalence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considerably high in school age children. Three to five percent of students are diagnosed with ADHD. These students also account for fifty percent of the students that receive special education services. The number of adults that are being diagnosed with ADHD is also climbing. Currently, referrals of adults for ADHD are also increasing at a rapid pace; until the 1990s and even to date, this age groups has been a markedly underrecognized and underserved segment of the ADHD population (Barkley, page 1. 2014) People with ADHD exhibit symptoms such as excessive movement (mostly in younger children,) loud play, and academic difficulties due to inattentiveness and hyperactivity. ADHD is very often comorbid with other disabilities, especially with learning disabilities. These symptoms must have begun before seven years of age, persisted for at least three months, and symptoms must occur across multiple settings. ADHD must be medically diagnosed. Due to the prevalence of ADHD, there has been quite a significant importance on the different treatment approaches for individuals with ADHD. Some practices focus on the medical and psychopharmacutical approach for treating ADHD. There are also alternative approaches to the treatment of ADHD. Others choose to combine these different approaches and practices.…

    • 1483 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ritalin Research Paper
    • 313 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Ritalin Research Paper

    Ferreiro additionally states, if the effects from the medication are unsatisfactory, the person can stop treatment at anytime without harm to his or her body (Ferreiro 23-25). The stimulant drug, Ritalin, is a favorable treatment option because it works in harmony with few negative effects. Although, like most medicine, there are side effects that occur when taking Ritalin. The article “What We Know About the Long-Term Effects of ADHD Medications: And what we don't know” by Caroline Miller documents the common symptoms of Ritalin. They include: loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and a slower growth compared to other children. TRANSITION In America, there is an epidemic arising due to the over prescription of attention deficit hyperactive disorder medication. In response to the epidemic crisis, Marcia Clemmitt believes “[ Medicine is] too easy [of an] answer to complex behavioral or learning…

    • 313 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Adderall Over Diagnosis in American Children
    • 2665 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Adderall Over Diagnosis in American Children

    As science and medicine become more advanced, more and more human behaviors are becoming medically defined. Humans are becoming dependent on drugs in order to live a normal life. Possibly the most severe occurrence of this idea is in the diagnosis of ADHD in American children. ADHD did not exist in the 1950’s, but by 2006, about eight to ten million children in America were diagnosed (Stolzer 109). This dramatic increase has caused many to question the ethics behind the diagnosis, and treatment, of ADHD in our children. Why is this issue so prevalent in 21st century America, and are these stimulants used to treat ADHD even safe? There is no question that symptoms matching those of ADHD are becoming more common in America’s children, however, the disorder is still being over-diagnosed.…

    • 2665 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Is Adhd over-Diagnosed Among School Children
    • 1409 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Is Adhd over-Diagnosed Among School Children

    In the article, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, the disorder is defined, as well as the current treatment for the disorder which tends to be the drug Ritalin. While there are many other drugs available for treatment, Ritalin is the most popular and between the years 1990 and 1998 the production of the drug increased by 800% (para. 2). “Children account for 75% of Ritalin consumption in the U.S” (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, para. 12). While Ritalin seems to be highly effective in treating children with ADHD there are also many problems with the drug. It has shown to make children very docile and in some instances can completely alter their personality for the worse. The controversy of the use of Ritalin to treat children with ADHD is high due to the fact that the long-term effects of the drug are not known.…

    • 1409 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Adhd: Stimulant Medication
    • 2563 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Adhd: Stimulant Medication

    Sam is a nine-year-old boy who has just entered the third grade. While his classmates listen to directions, he is constantly fidgeting and cannot seem to sit still. He consistently receives poor marks for both conduct and academics, as he grasps the concepts of easy tasks long after his peers. Sam will frequently blurt out comments at inappropriate times, interrupting the flow of classroom instruction. Because of this, his behavior is detrimental not only to himself, but to the other children in his class as well. His teacher is showing concern and has been advising Sam’s parents that he should see a learning disabilities specialist because she is under the impression that he may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Sam’s parents, who want him to receive the support he needs, are hesitant, however, to take him to see a physician because they fear that he will be prescribed medication. They are aware that stimulants are often authorized for children, but believe they are too harmful and that other forms of treatment would be less dangerous. Do Sam’s parents have a right to be apprehensive about the use of stimulants in children diagnosed with ADHD? Or are they just simply uneducated and misinformed about this method?…

    • 2563 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Adhd Medication Impact
    • 132 Words
    • 1 Page

    Adhd Medication Impact

    Attention deficit disorder is one of the most popular childhood disorders whose symptoms include hyperactivity, impetuousness, and inattention. Professionals concur that it is a hard-to-diagnose, complex disorder, which implies that no single test can reveal ADHD’s presence. The most popular treatment approach involves using medication, behavioral, and psychological therapies (Ardoin & Martens, 2012). Regardless, parents who are considering ADHD medication for the child are advised to understand how the medications work and accompanying risks. Some medications are effective in treating ADHD, but some children exhibit harmful and uncomfortable side effects. Accordingly, the current research is a…

    • 132 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    A Medicated America
    • 2706 Words
    • 11 Pages

    A Medicated America

    Should children with ADHD be medicated? Many parents, physicians, and teachers may say yes, but I believe there are too many risks for children with ADHD to be medicated. Parents in America are often turning to medication as a first option for their children instead of seeking alternative methods of medication and therapy. The Food and Drug Administration reported that some 10.8 million prescriptions were dispensed for children with ADHD in 2002 (Roberts). Taking the appropriate and safe measures in helping children is a parent’s job. Pumping children with medication that will make them quiet and zoned out is irresponsible on the parent’s part. The FDA reported that between 1999 and 2003, 19 children died after taking prescription amphetamines, the medications used to treat ADHD. These are the same drugs for which the number of prescriptions written rose 500 percent from 1991 to 2000 (Roberts). Children with ADHD are being medicated unnecessarily now more than ever. A key problem is that there is no biological test or blood test that can identify the disorder. In many situations, children who are hyper and disruptive in school or have difficulties concentrating are diagnosed with ADHD. The reality is there are plenty of possible alternatives as to why children are behaving this way.…

    • 2706 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Drugging Our Children
    • 2395 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Drugging Our Children

    Nowadays, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder goes hand in hand with Ritalin. When one is diagnosed with ADHD, it is very likely that they will be prescribed Ritalin. As a matter of fact, the number of children taking ADHD medications is rising. According to Lorraine Day, “Up to 90% of…

    • 2395 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Stimulant Abuse
    • 2793 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Stimulant Abuse

    There is obvious abuse in both prescribed and non-prescribed users, but one may first wonder how stimulants actually work in the brain and how they differ between people with and without ADHD. The main stimulant drugs abused are dextroampethamines (Adderall and Dexedrine) and methamphetamines (Ritalin and Concerta) and the effect they have on the body is described as a feeling somewhat stronger than the effect of caffeine but weaker than that of cocaine. ADHD stimulants boost two different neurotransmitters in…

    • 2793 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Informative Speech On Adhd
    • 958 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Informative Speech On Adhd

    Did you know 6.4 million people in America are diagnosed with ADHD, I myself am on those people. ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in a basic summary it is when a person has an abundant amount of energy and can't focus on a certain subject or task. Of these 6.4 million people that are diagnosed, the average age of diagnoses was 7 years old. I believe this an extremely high number of diagnoses at a young age that should not go overlooked. These children with ADHD are then given medicine, by their parents, that contains stimulants such as amphetamines which is supposed to reduce their excessive energy.…

    • 958 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    ADHD
    • 1070 Words
    • 4 Pages

    ADHD

    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis has become highly controversial in recent years, with much of the controversy focused around the increasing use of the drug methylphenidate hydrochloride, an amphetamine, more popularly known by its trade name "Ritalin," as the treatment of choice (Laver-Bradbury, 2013). Methylphenidate is a stimulant medication, which is believed to act by increasing absorption by the dopamine receptors in the brain, which are believed to be faulty in children with ADHD, thus calming the child’s impulsivity and enabling them to concentrate more (Poulin, 2007). There is no doubt that ADHD is a real disease that can have serious consequences if left untreated, but in recent years, the number of children in the U.S. that are being diagnosed and treated for ADHD has grown dramatically. This is a major concern among parents and child advocates.…

    • 1070 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Benefits Of ADHD Medications
    • 871 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Benefits Of ADHD Medications

    With the tremendous increase in ADHD diagnosis, altercations have been emerging about whether or not ADHD medications are being overprescribed. Many people feel as though ADHD medications are needed for the condition, but are doctors just "handing" them out? Medications may be necessary depending on how severe the case is, but some people take advantage of it. As a community, we need to limit the amount of ADHD medications being prescribed by doctors.…

    • 871 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    ADHD Commentary
    • 999 Words
    • 4 Pages

    ADHD Commentary

    According to studies there are more than an estimated 6 million kids aging in the range of 4 to 17 that’s been diagnosed with ADHD which is an increase of 15 or more percent since studies done in 2007 regarding ADHD and it is over a 40 percent increase from in the past ten years. Most of the children diagnosed with ADHD have received prescriptions to use stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall and Vyvanse, which are known to tremendously improve individuals’ lives that suffer with ADHD however these drugs can result to an individual to have anxiety, psychosis, and can lead to addiction. Many of people are floored at the astronomical numbers such as a professor of Yale that studies medicine where he states “Mild symptoms are being diagnosed so readily, which goes well beyond the disorder and the zone of ambiguity to pure enhancement of children who are otherwise healthy” (Dr. W. Graf, 2013). To make matters worse there will be a larger number of teenagers that are going to be prescribed Adderall, Vyvanse, or Ritalin in the foreseeable future because the APA (American Psychiatric Association) is considering changing the meaning and definitions of ADHD to allow room for more individuals to be diagnosed with the disorder which means more will be treated with stimulants. ADHD is normally described by many doctors as a result of chemical levels abnormity that is associated in the brain that impair an individual’s attention skills and impulses control (NIMH, 2013).…

    • 999 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More