Introduction
Human nature is a debate that has gone on for centuries. Recently, and more specifically, the nature of a child has become a heated topic. More and more children are being diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, ADD, and attention deficit hyperactive disorder, ADHD. Does this mean that as a whole, each generation of children has become increasingly difficult to keep focused on tasks at hand? As a result of this concept, as well as the increase in these diagnoses, more children are being prescribed medications to help “control” their focus. However, with the medications being prescribed affecting the child’s brain makeup, the question becomes are we finding a solution to a problem or are we creating a problem to fit a prescribed solution? If the answer remains that we have a problem the truly needs a solution, then is there a better solution to the problem than medication? In other words, are medications over prescribed to children who have ADD/ADHD?
Discussion
Proposing Views
Evidence from different researches indicates that stimulant medications offer a comprehensive means through which ADD/ADHD can be managed. This is perhaps the most pertinent reason as to why parents and care givers whose children are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD often rush for these prescriptions. This has led to the blatant prescription of these medications even in cases where the use of the prescriptions is not justified. Overall, medications are over-prescribed to children with ADD/ADHD. There are various reasons justifying the notion that ADD/ADHD medications are overprescribed. More importantly, cases of ADD/ADHD are often misdiagnosed; hence, there are several instances where medications are prescribed for children who may not be ailing from ADD/ADHD. While it is true that ADD/ADHD is a severe illness whose impacts can be severe, there is the need always to make an appropriate and reliable diagnosis before children suspected to be ailing from ADD/ADHD are put on medications. Statistics from empirical research point to the fact close 40% of children are more likely to be wrongly diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Similarly, children are two times more likely to consume ADD/ADHD medications even in cases where they are not suffering from the condition. On another note, ADD/ADHD is often confused with immaturity in development. Therefore, children with delayed development in maturity are frequently perceived to be ailing from ADD/ADHD. Arguably, developmental immaturity contributes to 20% wrong diagnoses of ADD/ADHD (Sinita & Coghill 167). This analysis depicts the fact that ADD/ADHD medications are overused as a result of wrong diagnoses.
Another reason justifying the notion that ADD/ADHD medications are over-prescribed is the fact that there exist other alternative treatment options for ADD/ADHD. Despite the fact that medications are the most effective means of managing ADD/ADHD, there other treatment options that should be used. Medications should only be prescribed as the last resort. One of the most reliable methods that can be used instead of medications is behavioral therapy aligned with physical activity. Evidence suggests that physical activity offers an easier and most effective means through which symptoms of ADD/ADHD can be reduced. Exercise helps manage ADD/ADHD symptoms because they boost the levels of various brain components including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine (Danforth & Kim 53). These elements play a role in enhancing an individual’s attention and focus. Another behavioral treatment approach for ADD/ADHD is the adoption of regular sleep patterns. This treatment approach helps in improving symptom associated with ADD/ADHD. Many at times, children with ADD/ADHD exhibit the lack of sleep, which has been attributed to stimulant medications. Therefore, overuse of medications worsens this symptom; hence, another reason to disregard the use of these medications.
The third notion justifying the fact that ADD/ADHD medications are over-used is the fact that parents and caregivers are often too quick to treat any symptoms that may depict the existence of ADD/ADHD. Certain child development issues such as anxiety, child abuse, sleep apnea, and learning disabilities elicit symptoms that mimic those of ADD/ADHD (Sadek 81). In the existence of such issues, parents and caregivers are often too quick to hypothesize the existence of ADD/ADHD. As a result, parents and caregivers rush to prescribe medications on their children without confirming and distinguishing if indeed ADD/ADHD exists. This situation is worsened by cases where medical practitioners are too quick to diagnose ADD/ADHD in cases where patients exhibit symptoms aligned with ADD/ADHD. In a nutshell, parents, caregivers, and medical practitioners do not often make an appropriate distinction between ADD/ADHD and conditions exhibiting symptoms related to those of ADD/ADHD. This contributes to the persistent over-use of ADD/ADHD medications. Conclusively, the populations are often ignorant of the need to make an adequate distinction in cases where the existence of ADD/ADHD is suspected. This has contributed to a rise in cases where parents, care givers, as well health care workers prescribe ADD/ADHD medications in cases where ADD/ADHD is not present.
Opposing Views
Despite the fact that overuse of ADD/ADHD medications is apparent, there are certain segments of the populations who argue that ADD/ADHD medications have not been overused. As such, there are different reasons that have been hypothesized to oppose the notion that ADD/ADHD have not been overused. One of the most common notion contradicting the argument that ADD/ADHD medications have been overused is the notion that ADD/ADHD medications are the most effective means of controlling ADD/ADHD. The side effects posed by ADD/ADHD medications are rarely severe. Besides, ADD/ADHD medications are not addictive; hence, its use should not be a cause of alarm (Ingersoll & Rak 72). The recent past has experienced a significant rise in the level of awareness amongst the public on issues related to psychiatric disorders including ADD/ADHD. For this reason, appropriate diagnosis rates have increased. Overall, parents and caregivers have mastered the pertinent signs of ADD/ADHD; hence, are able to purchase ADD/ADHD medications that help them control the condition in their children. Another widespread notion relating to the use of ADD/ADHD medications is that overuse of these medications is not rampant. As a result, rates of overuse should be accorded much attention.
Besides, ADD/ADHD medications have not been overused because ADD/ADHD treatment works best when various treatment approaches are used. Therefore, integrated treatment of ADD/ADHD entails the use of alternative approaches, as well as medications. The use of ADD/ADHD medications cannot be repealed just because of the mere fact that there is a perception that ADD/ADHD are overused. Worth noting is the fact that close to 80% of patients put on ADD/ADHD medications respond positively (Sadek 39). This analysis points to the fact that use of ADD/ADHD medications for children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD should not be considered an option. This is because other treatment approaches such as behavioral therapy are not effective enough in managing ADD/ADHD. Many at times, ADD/ADHD interferes with the academic, emotional, and social life of the affected populations. Non-medical treatment approaches may not offer a viable means through which ADD/ADHD symptoms can be controlled. This prompts the need to always perceive ADD/ADHD as the recommended treatment option.
On another note, notions that ADD/ADHD have been overused lack substantive support because in most cases where medications are prescribed by qualified professionals. In most cases, ADD/ADHD diagnosis by professionals entails a time-consuming assessment utilizing a multi-method and multi-informant assessment of developmental symptoms, social functioning, and course of illness, impairments, and previous assessments and treatments. Use of such an assessment methodology results in an adequate and true diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. This justifies the prescription of ADD/ADHD medications; hence, it cannot be argued that ADD/ADHD medications are overused (Ingersoll & Rak 16). In a nutshell, most practitioners diagnose ADD/ADHD utilizing a stringent cross-sectional evaluation of present symptoms; hence, developing substantive evidence that justifies the prescription of ADD/ADHD medications.
Counterargument/Rebuttal
Notions opposing the argument that ADD/ADHD are overused do not offer crucial evidence on the same. As an example, the notion that ADD/ADHD medications are effective are not 100% true. Evidence suggests that only 70% of patients using ADD/ADHD medications are relieved of ADD/ADHD symptoms. In addition, there are instances where ADD/ADHD medications elicit severe side-effects. As an example, the ADD/ADHD medication reduce dietary intake by causing lack of appetite; hence, predisposing the patients to malnutrition. In some instances, ADD/ADHD medications worsen certain ADD/ADHD symptoms. As an example, ADD/ADHD medications elicit insomnia amongst its users. The adverse effects of ADD/ADHD medications in children are also evident in cases where certain ADD/ADHD medications cause sedation. In fact, there are certain cases where children have turned into zombies because of overusing ADD/ADHD medications. Deductively, ADD/ADHD medications can only be effective and safe is prescribed by qualified personnel who can adequately distinguish ADD/ADHD symptoms from other symptoms that are closely related to those of ADD/ADHD (Mayes et al. 27).
The constant notion that ADD/ADHD can only be effectively managed with the use of a multi-disciplinary approach entailing the use of ADD/ADHD medications is not substantive. Alternative approaches such as adequate nutrition have proved that they can work solely without being merged with ADD/ADHD medications. As an example, appropriate dietary practices aligned with consumption of regular meals effectively reduces ADD/ADHD symptoms. Regular meal consumption maintains a normal blood sugar level in an individual; hence, preventing ADD/ADHD symptoms such as lack of attention and irritability (Hjern & Lindblad 923). The use of alternative ADD/ADHD approaches requires patience as opposed to ADD/ADHD medications, which provide a “quick fix” for ADD/ADHD symptoms.
Conclusion
The above discussion offers a glimpse on the controversy surrounding the use of ADD/ADHD medications. Despite the fact that ADD/ADHD medications are an effective means of controlling ADD/ADHD, there are certain cases where the use of these medications is not justified. There are instances where some children are placed on ADD/ADHD while they may not be ailing from the condition. This is because various psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder exhibit symptoms mimicking those of ADD/ADHD. In conclusion, the use of ADD/ADHD medications should be guided by a well-structured diagnosis and evaluation of symptoms presented by children suspected to be ailing from ADD/ADHD. This will minimize adverse effects such as sedation caused by wrong prescription of ADD/ADHD medications.
Work Cited
Danforth, Scot & Kim, Taeyung. Tracing the Metaphors of ADHD: a Preliminary Analysis with Implication of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?” International Journal of Inclusive Education 21.1 (2008): 49-64. Print.
Hjern, A., Weitoft, G. & Lindblad, F. “Social Adversity Predicts ADHD-medication in School Children – a National Cohort Study.” Acta Paediatrica 99.6 (2010): 920- 924. Print.
Ingersoll, Elliott & Rak, Carl. Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals: an Integrative Approach. London: Cengage Learning, 2015. Print.
Mayes, Rick, Catherine Bagwell, and Jennifer L. Erkulwater. Medicating Children: ADHD and Pediatric Mental Health. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 2009. Print.
Sadek, Joseph. A Clinician's Guide to ADHD. 2014. Internet resource.
Sinita, Eugenia, & Coghill, David. “The Use of Stimulant Medications for Non-Core Aspects of ADHD and in other Disorders.” Neuropharmacology 87 (2014): 161- 172. Print.
