A. My inspiration for my research topic comes partially from a Macklemore song called Kevin. This song is about a 21-year-old named Kevin who passed away due to an overdose of oxycontin. I had an emotional response to this song’s sad, yet powerful message. Most importantly, I was intrigued by the questions posed by this song. Are prescribed medications worth taking? Do the rewards outweigh the risks? Macklemore’s opinion that America is overprescribed is obvious through the song. He discusses issues such as corruption of pharmacy companies, addiction, and dependence. This inspired me to investigate both sides of the argument to form my own opinion.
B. The problem is the overprescription of psychiatric medication. This problem impacts people …show more content…
If the overprescription of psychiatric drugs continues, the next generation is in grave danger. In fact, many of children are prescribed with medications for illnesses they do not have. Sometimes, behavioral issues in children are seen as having a mental disorder. Therefore, some children with behavioral issues are prescribed with medication for illnesses they do not have. Jeffrey Lieberman, M.D., the chairman of the psychiatry department at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, addresses this problem in an interview. He explains “anti-psychotic drugs are indicated, principally, to treat psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, and schizophrenia occurs fairly rarely in children and adolescents. So these medicines are being used, not to treat this primary illness, but to treat a wide range of disorders that involve behavioral discontrol or disruptive and difficult behaviors” (Lieberman). It is harmful to these children to take these powerful medications that are primarily intended to treat mental disorders that they don’t have. Lieberman attributes this problem to society’s outlook saying “parents, schools, society is encouraging disruptive and disobedient behaviors to be treated to the extent that there is a scientific basis for providing treatment” (Lieberman). The idea that the community is partially responsible for this problem shows that the community must change. Instead of yearning to use all different kinds of medications, the community should …show more content…
I would say that my work habits are fairly similar to a typical high schooler. I do tend to procrastinate, but on bigger assignments, I try not to. Usually, I do my homework immediately when I get home from school, unless it’s a Friday. On a normal day, I get home around 6 because I have practice for a sport. On days I play games, I get home anywhere from 7-9 depending on if the game is away or if it is extended. Other than that, I don’t have commitments after school. Before school, I sometimes do homework because I enjoy waking up early. However, I don’t accomplish a lot of homework in the mornings because I have to be at school at 7. I spend a lot of time on homework during the week because I dislike doing homework during the weekend. Saturdays, I work from 8-2. Sundays, I work from 12-5. Work is my only consistent commitment during the weekend. Everything else that I do during the weekend is flexible, so if I need to do homework I can make time. I would say that I am reliable. I am willing to put in time to research and write. My biggest weakness would be that I am a very slow worker. I feel like I’m good at collaborating with people because I compromise
B. The problem is the overprescription of psychiatric medication. This problem impacts people …show more content…
If the overprescription of psychiatric drugs continues, the next generation is in grave danger. In fact, many of children are prescribed with medications for illnesses they do not have. Sometimes, behavioral issues in children are seen as having a mental disorder. Therefore, some children with behavioral issues are prescribed with medication for illnesses they do not have. Jeffrey Lieberman, M.D., the chairman of the psychiatry department at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, addresses this problem in an interview. He explains “anti-psychotic drugs are indicated, principally, to treat psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, and schizophrenia occurs fairly rarely in children and adolescents. So these medicines are being used, not to treat this primary illness, but to treat a wide range of disorders that involve behavioral discontrol or disruptive and difficult behaviors” (Lieberman). It is harmful to these children to take these powerful medications that are primarily intended to treat mental disorders that they don’t have. Lieberman attributes this problem to society’s outlook saying “parents, schools, society is encouraging disruptive and disobedient behaviors to be treated to the extent that there is a scientific basis for providing treatment” (Lieberman). The idea that the community is partially responsible for this problem shows that the community must change. Instead of yearning to use all different kinds of medications, the community should …show more content…
I would say that my work habits are fairly similar to a typical high schooler. I do tend to procrastinate, but on bigger assignments, I try not to. Usually, I do my homework immediately when I get home from school, unless it’s a Friday. On a normal day, I get home around 6 because I have practice for a sport. On days I play games, I get home anywhere from 7-9 depending on if the game is away or if it is extended. Other than that, I don’t have commitments after school. Before school, I sometimes do homework because I enjoy waking up early. However, I don’t accomplish a lot of homework in the mornings because I have to be at school at 7. I spend a lot of time on homework during the week because I dislike doing homework during the weekend. Saturdays, I work from 8-2. Sundays, I work from 12-5. Work is my only consistent commitment during the weekend. Everything else that I do during the weekend is flexible, so if I need to do homework I can make time. I would say that I am reliable. I am willing to put in time to research and write. My biggest weakness would be that I am a very slow worker. I feel like I’m good at collaborating with people because I compromise