Should Stimulant Medications Be Used to Treat Our Children?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:
Should Stimulant Medications be used to treat our Children?
What is Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
With no cure for ADHD, stimulant medication should be considered for the overall management of the disruptive symptoms associated with the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental health problem in children. Children with ADHD often have problems with attention span, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. It is often called by an older name, attention deficit disorder (ADD). The disorder begins in the preschool years and may either continue or fade away during the teenage years. About one-third of children with ADHD also have learning problems such as a reading disability. About half of ADHD children and teenagers have behavior problems, which may include breaking rules, talking back, and hitting other children. ADHD is 7 times more common in boys than girls. Girls are more likely to have troubles with attention and less likely to have hyperactivity. (Wiener, 1999)
What causes ADHD?
In about 70% of cases, ADHD is inherited. It runs in families, especially through the males in the family line. Research continues in an effort to find out why it occurs in those without a family history. Parker (n.d.) says, ADHD can be caused by development problems during pregnancy or delivery. The medical explanation for ADHD is that neurotransmitters help the human brain to form thoughts, store and recall information, and translate thoughts into physical actions. One of these neurotransmitters, dopamine, is abnormally low in children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. Another key neurotransmitter that may play a role in ADHD is acetylcholine, which is responsible for signaling and helping to control memory, attention, awareness, perception, reasoning and judgment. Since problems with memory and attentiveness are attributes of those with ADD and ADHD,
Should Stimulant Medications be used to treat our Children?
What is Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
With no cure for ADHD, stimulant medication should be considered for the overall management of the disruptive symptoms associated with the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental health problem in children. Children with ADHD often have problems with attention span, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. It is often called by an older name, attention deficit disorder (ADD). The disorder begins in the preschool years and may either continue or fade away during the teenage years. About one-third of children with ADHD also have learning problems such as a reading disability. About half of ADHD children and teenagers have behavior problems, which may include breaking rules, talking back, and hitting other children. ADHD is 7 times more common in boys than girls. Girls are more likely to have troubles with attention and less likely to have hyperactivity. (Wiener, 1999)
What causes ADHD?
In about 70% of cases, ADHD is inherited. It runs in families, especially through the males in the family line. Research continues in an effort to find out why it occurs in those without a family history. Parker (n.d.) says, ADHD can be caused by development problems during pregnancy or delivery. The medical explanation for ADHD is that neurotransmitters help the human brain to form thoughts, store and recall information, and translate thoughts into physical actions. One of these neurotransmitters, dopamine, is abnormally low in children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD. Another key neurotransmitter that may play a role in ADHD is acetylcholine, which is responsible for signaling and helping to control memory, attention, awareness, perception, reasoning and judgment. Since problems with memory and attentiveness are attributes of those with ADD and ADHD,
References: ADHD Medications: Benefits and Risks. (n.d.). Mental Health, Retrieved December 21, 2004 from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_medications.htm Jaska, P. (2000). Childhood Attention Deficit Disorder Is a Serious Problem. Mental Illness, Retrieved January 22, 2005, from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource database. Parker, H. (n.d.). It 's about Time: Promising Practices for children and Adolescents with ADHD. A.d.d. Warehouse, Retrieved February 2, 2005 from http://www.addwarehouse.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/article10.html Watkins, C., Brynes, G., Preller, R. (December, 2004). Non-Stimulant Medications for Children and Adolescents with AD/HD. Northern County Psychiatric, Retrieved January 14, 2005 from http://www.ncpamd.com/NonStimulants.htm Watkins, C., Brynes, G., Preller, R. (December, 2004). Stimulant Medication and AD/HD. Northern County Psychiatric, Retrieved January 14, 2005 from http://www.ncpamd.com/Stimulants.htm Wiener, J. (1999). Medication Helps Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Current Controversies: Mental Health, Retrieved January 18, 2005, from the Opposing Viewpoints Resource database.