Ritalin Not the Best Treatment for ADHD or ADD - 1009 Words

Ritalin and other drugs used to treat children with ADHD and ADD have been given a lot of negative and some positive press over the years, but what is alarming is the statistics which I discovered from Suellen May, the editor of Understanding Drugs: Ritalin and Related Drugs: â€Å"In 1996, an estimated 1.5 million American schoolchildren (approximately 3-5% of all U.S. schoolchildren) were taking Ritalin daily† (9). The number clearly doubled over the years, which indicates that the use of Ritalin is increasing tremendously in America. With this in mind, while some feel that Ritalin is helpful overtime, the numbers show that Ritalin is actually not the best treatment for those who suffer from ADHD or ADD. The Discovery -- In the early 1930’s,†¦show more content†¦I wasn’t sure what was happening to me and didn’t think I had a right to voice my opinion so I simply agreed with my parents, teachers and doctors. My behavior improved and I seemed to be more focused, however, it also affected my social skills and personality. Soon I became out of touch with society, uninterested to do sports or play with friends and worst, I lost my personal traits; my humor, wittiness and affection. In spite of the side effects, over the next few years I continued to take the medications because my school grades were skyrocketing and I wanted to make my family proud. By the age of 11, I decided I wanted to gain back my personality and social life so I stopped taking Ritalin. It surely affected my lack of interest in school but I felt happier and alive. There are so many truths about Ritalin, how much it actually harms the body overtime then do well. According to the booklet â€Å"The Truth About Ritalin Abuse† by drugfreeworld.org, the long-term effects of Ritalin are permanent damage to blood vessels of the heart and brain, high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and even death. But it does not stop there; strong psychological dependence becomes long term as well. Every one of a dozen children treated with methylphenidate experienced genetic abnormalities associated with an increased risk of cancer. The long-term effects are staggering but the emotional effects are just as bad. ForShow MoreRelatedDrug Use And Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( Adhd )1302 Words   |  6 PagesRitalin is a prescription drug used primarily in the treatment of behavioural problems in children such as Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (National Drug Intelligence Centre 200 6). It is estimated that 11 percent of Australians between the ages of 6 to 17 are affected by ADD or ADHD and the amount of Ritalin being prescribed has doubled in the last 10 years ( Schriever 2012). The brand name for Ritalin is methylphenidate, a drug that stimulatesRead MoreCentral Nervous System Stimulant: Ritalin Essay1549 Words   |  7 Pages Ritalin is a brand name for methylphenidate. Ritalin is a mild central nervous system stimulant that doctors prescribe to treat several disorders. The most common use of Ritalin is for the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Another known use of Ritalin is in the treatment of Narcolepsy. A doctor might also prescribe it to treat depression. Ritalin and other drugs in the stimulant class, work by increasing the neurotransmittersRead MoreADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Essay1242 Words   |  5 Pagesspending on ADHD drugs for kids under the age of five. A lot of children have been diagnosed with ADHD, and many of their parents have opted to give them behavioral drugs. Some parents give the drugs because they are not aware of the long term effects or the psychological d ependency, and lastly because they are not aware of the alternatives. As parents we have to be more cognizant of what these disorders are and how they affect the child. Drugs are not always the only solution. ADHD, or AttentionRead More ADD and ADHD Essay1543 Words   |  7 PagesADD and ADHD Although American culture has changed over the years, parents today still want what is best for their children. Why then, are parents allowing their children to be put on medications that may have an adverse effect on their children? Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) have increasingly been diagnosed among young children today. Parents should become more informed about the over diagnosing, side effects, results of the medication andRead MorePsychology And Medication : Are Children Being Misdiagnosed And Over Medicated1334 Words   |  6 PagesAttention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADD/ADHD, which is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADD is defined as learning disorder affecting children, adolescents, and some adults. Common symptoms of ADD are learning and behavioral difficulties as well as the typical problem of ADHD, hyperactivity. Males are more likely to have ADD with many other symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. People as far back as the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries believed ADD was not a medical problem; they believedRead MoreEssay on Ritalin, Helpful and Harmful1566 Words   |  7 PagesRitalin - Helpful and Harmful 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 doctors 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 happyRead MoreEssay on Ritalin and Its Effects on Children2612 Words   |  11 Pagesdiagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD and who has the right to decide what happens. It is estimated that between 3 and 12 percent of the population has to deal with conditions known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). This equals approximately 3 million children in the United States alone. Both of these disorders (ADD and ADHD) exhibit the same traits leading them to be lumped together. Children affected by ADD or ADHD have behaviorRead MoreChildren With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder1525 Words   |  7 Pageshyperactivity disorder (ADHD) don’t have it so easy. Daily life in and outside of the classroom can be extremely difficult for such children; however, there are ways to help. The drug Ritalin helps elementary aged male children with ADHD improve test scores by allowing them to focus in the classroom and concentrate on schoolwork (Bronson). Not using a stimulant like Ritalin has negative consequences for children with ADHD. Although they may be bright intellectually, many children with ADD or ADHD lag behind theirRead MoreAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Ritalin, and the Brain1606 Words   |  7 PagesAttention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Ritalin, and the Brain Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, more commonly referred to as simply ADHD, is the most commonly diagnosed disorder among American children today. According to the National Institute on Mental Health an estimated 3 to 5 percent of school age children are affected by this disorder. (1) There are more diagnosed cases of ADHD of in the United States than there are anywhere in the world. The main symptoms of ADHD include developmentally inappropriateRead MoreSolving the Ritalin Riddle2237 Words   |  9 PagesSadly, 75 out of 100 children who visit a psychiatrists office for the very first time, leave with at least one prescription for ADD or ADHD. Kirk Martin, Founder of educational foundation Celebrate! ADHD, states â€Å"We must change everything else-our attitudes and expectations, diet and nutrition, the way we reach and teach kids-before we change our children through medication.† Parents of children whose behavior is regarded as difficult or out of control are enc ouraged to believe their child has