Taming the Curiosity of a Child 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
…show more content…
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 …show more content…
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
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 …show more content…
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