Preview

A Medicated America

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2706 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
A Medicated America
Rushing to Medicate Our Children 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. The history of ADD/ADHD dates back to 19th century though the name has changed numerous times but the characteristics remained the same. In 1902, a German physician named Heinrich Hoffman spoke of a disease found in children that he claimed stemmed from a defect in their moral character. Hoffman stated that the problem resulted in the children’s inability to properly process and recognize rules and limits. This often would cause the children to express a behavior that was restless, inattentive, and overly excited. Another suggestion that Hoffman stated was that the children suffered from brain damage or possibly hereditary and environmental


Cited: "ADD/ADHD Drugs and the Placebo Effect: Shocking New Research." 3 Steps To Conquering ADHD Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. "ADHD Information." ADHD Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. "ADHD-Like Symptoms, But Not ADHD." About.com ADD / ADHD. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. "ADHD Symptoms in Boys and Girls: How They Differ." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. "Data & Statistics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Dec. 2011. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. "Dr Hallowell." Dr Hallowell RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. Kirchheimer, Sid. "Placebo May Augment Effects of ADHD Meds." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. "Reuptake Definition - Medical Dictionary Definitions of Popular Medical Terms Easily Defined on MedTerms." Medterms. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. Washington Post. The Washington Post, 08 Oct. 2006. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. "What Is A Placebo?" About.com Alternative Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. "Your Child - ADHD | American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry." Your Child - ADHD | American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Cyp 3.1 Case Study
    • 1434 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Cyp 3.1 Case Study

    Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that has regular symptoms such as persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity. According to a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, ADHD begins in childhood with between 3 and 7% of school-age children have ADHD, and it usually lasts into adulthood. (MMWR, Sept 2, 2005) About 30 to 50% of children with ADHD continue to have symptoms as adults. (www.webmd.com)…

    • 1434 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

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

    Overprescribing Ritalin in the United States

    Londrie, K. (2003). History of ADHD. Retrieved October 6, 2008, from Ezine Articles Web site: http://ezinearticles.com/?History-of-ADHD&id=217254…

    • 1740 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better 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
  • Good Essays

    Crt 205 Mapping an Argument
    • 861 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Crt 205 Mapping an Argument

    The first article chosen was Abortion Is a Form of Genocide by Meredith Eugene Hunt. The issue in this article is “abortion as a form of genocide is accurate by historical and accepted standards of the word’s definition” (Abortion, 2010). I highlighted this as the issue because it includes everything the author is trying to prove to the reader. Hunt wants to make it known that she believes abortion is a form of genocide even though the parameters fit loosely. She also points to the fact that history has shown evidence of genocide, and she uses that history to show the similarities between genocide and abortion. Hunt is making an argument that is both deductive and inductive. In some cases she gives proof in her accusations of the terms abortion and genocide. On the other hand, at times she offers supporting information intended to sway the reader to her side of the argument.…

    • 861 Words
    • 4 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

    Are Children Being Overly Diagnosed with Adhd
    • 1193 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Are Children Being Overly Diagnosed with Adhd

    Throughout the medical field Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has been and continues to be a popular subject for debate. In the past critics led us to believe that ADHD was just a glorified disease for parents to medicate their disruptive and sometimes unruly children, but now some doctors studies show that it is an actual biological disorder. ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood. It affects about 3 - 5% of school aged children. ADHD is diagnosed much more often in boys than in girls.…

    • 1193 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Should Children with Adhd Be Medicated? Essay Example
    • 2097 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Should Children with Adhd Be Medicated? Essay Example

    Martin (2006) stated "75 out of 100 kids who walk into a psychiatrist's office for the first time walk out with at least one prescription" (4). In the past 4 years the number of prescriptions for ADHD medications has increased significantly. Womersley (2006) says that since 2001 spending on drugs to treat ADHD has soared from 441,000 pounds a year to 1.8m. O'Connor (2001) says "28% of elementary school students who were medicated for ADHD received two drugs simultaneously, for many students treatment began as early as preschool"(. 5) [You're providing some good information here.]…

    • 2097 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Why Do Children Being Overdiagnosed
    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Why Do Children Being Overdiagnosed

    Kids with ADHD are being overdiagnosed. Far too many kids are on prescription drugs when they don’t need to be on any type of drug. Scientist have proved that there is a way to treat your child with ADHD with -out using prescription drugs.…

    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Children with Adhd Have Difficulties Paying Attention and Are More Impulsive
    • 2681 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Children with Adhd Have Difficulties Paying Attention and Are More Impulsive

    Rodriguez, D. (2009, September 23). Support for parents of ADHD kids. Livestrong. Retrieved July 20, 2011, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/24473-support-parents-adhd-kids/…

    • 2681 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better 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
  • Best Essays

    Adhd My Perspective
    • 3177 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Adhd My Perspective

    I have seen a lot of children receiving medication as a treatment and I have a feeling that there are some instances of over diagnosis and over treatment. There are three questions of important to the study and it concerns the treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). First should educators and health care professionals determine a students learning style before labeling a child as being ADHD? Secondly are the diagnostic tools enough to diagnose and manage children who have been determined as having ADHD? Finally, why isn’t behavioral therapy considered as the first line of treatment? There are some children that benefit from counseling or from structured therapy. Even though this may not work for all students I wonder if they how many take the time to try before they medicate.…

    • 3177 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Adhd Speech
    • 2745 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Adhd Speech

    Imaging studies suggest that the brains of children with ADHD are different from those of other children. These children handle neurotransmitters (including dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline) differently from their peers.…

    • 2745 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better 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
    • 1070 Words
    • 4 Pages

    ADHD

    Children are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) too easily and without being properly tested for ADHD. Many children are being misdiagnosed because parents, teachers, and doctors are not taking into consideration that many other factors can lead to behavioral problems. If used properly ADHD medications such as Ritalin can be very helpful to children who have this disorder, but far too many parents and doctors are too quick to prescribe medications to control behavior. We owe it to children to try to find another way first before a prescription is written up.…

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

    Debate Adhd Debate
    • 354 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Debate Adhd Debate

    There has been a debate over whether ADHD is being overdiagnosed, thus overmedicating patients. The rate of ADHD diagnoses has increased immensely. In 1990, 900,000 youths were diagnosed with the disorder; while in 2000, three to four million children are diagnosed with the disorder (Mayes, 2009). This increased rate can be attributed to many factors. The age range for the diagnosis of ADHD has broadened, allowing more children as young as four to be diagnosed with the disorder (Rubin, 2011). Previously, a child had to be at least six years old to be diagnosed with the disorder. Medicaid money spent on pharmaceuticals, much of which is spent on stimulants (which are used to combat ADHD symptoms), increased by $6.1 million from 1991…

    • 354 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics