ADHD: Diagnosis and Treatment
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or commonly known as ADHD is a common disorder in children in the United States with approximately 9% of American children diagnosed with this disorder. ADHD diagnoses have risen from ½ million in 1987 to approximately 4.5 million in 2006. : Due to the high increase in children being diagnosed with ADHD in recent years, critics feel children are overmedicated and overdiagnosed and other treatment options should be used, while proponents believe the diagnoses are accurate and medication is the main treatment option. I will discuss the history and definition of ADHD, causes and symptoms, the pros and cons of using psychostimulants versus other treatment options. To begin, …show more content…
There is no conclusive evidence of any harm from stimulants as prescribed for ADHD. Further testing needs to be conducted on long term risks, but short term studies indicate no harmful effects. If used as prescribed no serious side effects have been noted, nor does it become addictive. Medication controls the symptoms so adults can function at work. Students with ADHD who are medicated are better able to concentrate at school. If medicated the students do not distract other children and they are more apt to like attending school so they will get along with others better at school. ADHD medication such as Ritalin gives the child instant relief from their symptoms. Next I will present the opponents side of medicating children with …show more content…
As there has been an alarming increase over the last three decades there is concern that ADHD is being overdiagnosed and overmedicated. Those who feel the diagnoses are accurate and medication is the only answer say it keeps children safer, able to concentrate in school and function without disturbing others. The proponents say there is no harmful side effects to the use of psychostimulants if used according to prescribed dosage and effects are quick. The critics say that there is such an increase in diagnoses of ADHD that it is being overdiagnosed and overmedicated and they are not using alternative options such as behavioral therapy especially in children under six. There doesn’t seem to be a solution to this controversial problem at the present time and more studies need to be completed on the long term effects of the medication used in treating ADHD, but for those currently on medication the side effects are minimal compared to the effects of ADHD and the medicine helps children focus and function at a higher level. Parents are torn over the decision they have to make and feel bad no matter which path they
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or commonly known as ADHD is a common disorder in children in the United States with approximately 9% of American children diagnosed with this disorder. ADHD diagnoses have risen from ½ million in 1987 to approximately 4.5 million in 2006. : Due to the high increase in children being diagnosed with ADHD in recent years, critics feel children are overmedicated and overdiagnosed and other treatment options should be used, while proponents believe the diagnoses are accurate and medication is the main treatment option. I will discuss the history and definition of ADHD, causes and symptoms, the pros and cons of using psychostimulants versus other treatment options. To begin, …show more content…
There is no conclusive evidence of any harm from stimulants as prescribed for ADHD. Further testing needs to be conducted on long term risks, but short term studies indicate no harmful effects. If used as prescribed no serious side effects have been noted, nor does it become addictive. Medication controls the symptoms so adults can function at work. Students with ADHD who are medicated are better able to concentrate at school. If medicated the students do not distract other children and they are more apt to like attending school so they will get along with others better at school. ADHD medication such as Ritalin gives the child instant relief from their symptoms. Next I will present the opponents side of medicating children with …show more content…
As there has been an alarming increase over the last three decades there is concern that ADHD is being overdiagnosed and overmedicated. Those who feel the diagnoses are accurate and medication is the only answer say it keeps children safer, able to concentrate in school and function without disturbing others. The proponents say there is no harmful side effects to the use of psychostimulants if used according to prescribed dosage and effects are quick. The critics say that there is such an increase in diagnoses of ADHD that it is being overdiagnosed and overmedicated and they are not using alternative options such as behavioral therapy especially in children under six. There doesn’t seem to be a solution to this controversial problem at the present time and more studies need to be completed on the long term effects of the medication used in treating ADHD, but for those currently on medication the side effects are minimal compared to the effects of ADHD and the medicine helps children focus and function at a higher level. Parents are torn over the decision they have to make and feel bad no matter which path they