There is a controversy in the risks of medications prescribed to patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) which the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes in detail. Also as stated in an article by Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, it is implicated that treatments with stimulants can cause such serious side effects as anorexia, weight loss, abdominal pain, sleep disturbance, headaches, irritability, tics and depression. It is the writers’ allegation that we may be medicating for a social disadvantage (Isaacs, 2006). The hidden dangers of ADHD medications have an impact in society, patients and the community. The NIMH specifically details that there can be a risk factor to administering stimulants to children.
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Administering medication has an impact not only on the children while they are in school but also to school personnel as teachers and school nurses. These medications when administered to young children can run the potential risk of future substance abuse as the child reaches adulthood (Barkla, 2015). Roughly 4-5% of children in the U.S. are diagnosed with ADHD and there is an overwhelming concern the pediatricians are not adequately trained to manage these high volumes of patients (Isaacs, 2006). With an overwhelming rise in patients diagnosed with ADHD, the risk to simply administer medication without thorough evaluation causes an effect on society and how children are being medicated without knowing the risks and long term effects of the drugs. In order to effectively assist children with this disorder there should be a treatment in place with not only medication but in conjunction with a form of counseling to successfully battle the symptoms hand in hand. Unfortunately there have been studies that stimulants were prescribed in the first office visit, signifying that the proper guidelines were not followed (Isaacs, …show more content…
Negative in that if not treated can develop into serious behavioral issues as an adult. Although there are no proven facts that stimulants have a long term effect on the development of the brain, there is a concern in the continuation of prescribing these medications from adolescent to adulthood. Even though treatment by stimulants has potential side effects and still remains a controversy and concern, there has been enough research to prove the effectiveness of the medication if administered properly in conjunction with clinical therapy. The medication has been proven to be effective in 70-80% of patients (Kovashoff, 2013). The current guidelines in place to treat patients with ADHD give clinicians a systematic approach to use various possible doses for the best outcome of the patient (Kovashoff, 2013). Medication if treated in conjunction with therapy can have a positive impact in the community by being able to diagnose and treat at a young age and prevent the long term affect if untreated. If nothing is done to treat young children with ADHD at an early age, the risk of developing more severe mental and social problems will greatly increase. Although there are many controversies on pharmaceutical treatment for ADHD, if proper guidelines are followed and treated with ongoing physician observation and supervision, there is a great percentage for patients
Administering medication has an impact not only on the children while they are in school but also to school personnel as teachers and school nurses. These medications when administered to young children can run the potential risk of future substance abuse as the child reaches adulthood (Barkla, 2015). Roughly 4-5% of children in the U.S. are diagnosed with ADHD and there is an overwhelming concern the pediatricians are not adequately trained to manage these high volumes of patients (Isaacs, 2006). With an overwhelming rise in patients diagnosed with ADHD, the risk to simply administer medication without thorough evaluation causes an effect on society and how children are being medicated without knowing the risks and long term effects of the drugs. In order to effectively assist children with this disorder there should be a treatment in place with not only medication but in conjunction with a form of counseling to successfully battle the symptoms hand in hand. Unfortunately there have been studies that stimulants were prescribed in the first office visit, signifying that the proper guidelines were not followed (Isaacs, …show more content…
Negative in that if not treated can develop into serious behavioral issues as an adult. Although there are no proven facts that stimulants have a long term effect on the development of the brain, there is a concern in the continuation of prescribing these medications from adolescent to adulthood. Even though treatment by stimulants has potential side effects and still remains a controversy and concern, there has been enough research to prove the effectiveness of the medication if administered properly in conjunction with clinical therapy. The medication has been proven to be effective in 70-80% of patients (Kovashoff, 2013). The current guidelines in place to treat patients with ADHD give clinicians a systematic approach to use various possible doses for the best outcome of the patient (Kovashoff, 2013). Medication if treated in conjunction with therapy can have a positive impact in the community by being able to diagnose and treat at a young age and prevent the long term affect if untreated. If nothing is done to treat young children with ADHD at an early age, the risk of developing more severe mental and social problems will greatly increase. Although there are many controversies on pharmaceutical treatment for ADHD, if proper guidelines are followed and treated with ongoing physician observation and supervision, there is a great percentage for patients