The Medical Side of Adhd

The Medical Side of ADHD

My synthesis paper is about ADHD, commonly known as attention deficit/hyperactivity disordered. I have pulled information from 5 different sources and will discuss the pro's and cons' of ADHD. Such as is ADHD over diagnosed? Does the medication prescribed for ADHD actually work and what their long time side effect are.

In reading the article Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder(1) the article clearly states both views of experts. Studies have shown that boys are the majority of those diagnosed. The estimated percentages on these is 67% to 85%. Although adults have been diagnosed and treated for ADHD, the majority of the diagnosed are among children. Ritalin is a commonly known prescribed for ADHD. Many experts do not agree on the precise number of children taking Ritialin, but Peter Jensen associate director for child and adolescent research at the National Institute of Mental Health, estimates that the number is between one and three million.(1)

One of the largest controversy of the diagnosis of ADHD is whether or not this is over diagnoised. Many experts believe that it is. They believe that this is an easy way of getting out of disciplining your child. They believe that the behaviors shown by these children are simply a lack of discipline. Critics think that Ritialin is becoming a convenient drug for hard to handle children. That if they were discipline they would not show nearly as many behaviors.

On the other hand many experts and critics believe that diagnosing ADHD and prescribing Ritialin needs to be done to those that have shown 6 or more signs of having the disorder. Many are happy about the rising in number of this diagnoses'. They are happy those individuals are receiving help. That by them receiving help they will be able to lead and live a normal life.

In the article Children and Antipsychotic Drugs(2), the writer goes into detail over the medication that is being used. History on this is in 1989 the antipsychotic drug, clozapine was approved my the FDA and used on those individuals that had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Although it is only prescribed under certain terms as it has been shown that taking this drug could cause a disorder called Agranulocytosis, which is a rare but serious blood disease. In October 2006, The FDA approved the first pediatric use for an atypical antipsychotic drug, permitting Risperdone for use in Autistic children suffering from related irritability. (2) Doctors are legally allowed to prescribe a prescription that has been approved to treat one thing and treat another condition. This is called off label uses.

Experts are very concerned about the side effects of taking these medications. They feel that the diagnoses' and controlling of behavior is not worth the side effect that these medications could cause. According to the New York Times twelve hundred and seven children taking the drug Risperdal between 1993 and 2008 had serious health problems and thirty one of those children died. Some opponents argue that behavioral and family therapy is just as effective as prescribing drugs.

Supporters argue that these medications are needed for these children that have been diagnosed so that they can lead a normal life. These medications are believed to improve their quality of life. These are needed