...The Harmful Effects of ADHD Medication in Children Mellanie Cadwell Abstract The medications and treatments for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) were researched to expose the risks of pharmaceuticals and their side effects on young children. The medical risks of medications commonly used to treat children with ADHD were examined using published research and findings from pediatricians, physicians, scientists, and other health care professionals, as well as alternative treatments for the disorder. The research showed that the ADHD pharmaceutical treatment plans have serious short and long term side effects on young children, with no evidence of long term efficacy. Whereas, alternative treatment plans pose no harmful physical side effects and are still effective. The Harmful Effects of ADHD Medication in Children Abigail first started exhibiting signs of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in preschool. Her preschool teachers complained to her parents that during story time she disturbed the other children with her fidgeting. Her parents took her to a developmental pediatrician who, after many tests, diagnosed her with ADHD. The pediatrician prescribed different medications that made her seriously ill and drastically altered her personality. After trying several different medications, her parents decided to abstain...
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...CHRISTINE VAYDA | SNHU | English Composition 2 | In the United States an average of 11% of the children between ages 4 and 17 are diagnosed with the medical disorder called ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects school aged children. This percentage has increased from 7.8% in 2003. With this disorder increasing 3% per year, some begin to wonder if it is the children that are needing to be “fixed” or is it the way we teach our children. Are there alternatives to helping children with their focus other the medication? Medicating children due to ADHD is not always the answer and often alters the child’s personality. There are alternate teaching methods available for students before having them medicated. Teachers can perform these teaching methods to help children focus better in school and not get bored. Parents can help by also delivering these methods at home. Kids with ADHD may have trouble with focus, acting without thinking, hyperactivity and troubles knowing what is expected of them because they have a difficult time sitting and paying attention, so focusing on something is very difficult. The symptoms that they experience typically happen over a long period of time and do not just come in go like with children that just may be excited or anxious about something. There are no test that can diagnose ADHD. In order to evaluate the child a Dr. will meet with the child in the office as well as getting evaluations...
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...ADHD is over Diagnosed A simple way to describe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is that it is a brain based condition where there is an imbalance of the brains chemicals dopamine and noradrenaline, these chemicals being responsible for self-control and slowing down of impulses. Because of the slight imbalance of these important chemicals, people with ADHD will experience impulsive, hyperactive behavior as well as inattentiveness with short term memory and in some cases, learning difficulties. Although doctors and scientists have more information about the causes and treatment of ADHD today, there is an interesting history around this disorder which had many different theories and beliefs. Discovered over one hundred years ago, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is not a recent medical discovery. It was first described in about 1902 by George Still, an English pediatrician, who had observed a group of patients and recognized them as being inattentive, over active and suffering from a "lack of moral control". After George Still's discovery, many controversies followed. It was believed that ADHD was a result of brain damage, but when doctors realized that most children with ADHD had no brain damage, that idea was discarded. ADHD was then called Hyperactive Child Syndrome, where all the focus was on hyperactivity. In addition to this, Dr Ben Feingold researched a link between ones diet and hyperactivity, but this controversy was soon proven to not have much effect...
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...ADHD in Children: Medication and the Natural Approach Amanda Nance COM156 January 8th, 2012 Leah Omilion ADHD in Children: Medication and the Natural Approach Making ADHD medication decisions for your child can be difficult, but doing your homework can help. The first thing to understand is exactly what the medications for ADD and ADHD can and can’t do and to know that it isn’t a magic pill that will fix all of your or your Childs’ problems. Medication can help reduce the symptoms of hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity but they also come with many risks. The negative effects of stimulant medication in children with ADHD are staggering; however, there is a natural approach that can be just as effective. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a neurological disorder characterized by developmentally inappropriate impulsivity, inattention, and in some cases, hyperactivity. It is estimated by the American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) that 3%-7% of school-aged children have ADHD1. ADHD is characterized by many symptoms including the following: • Poor concentration, distractibility, impulsive behavior, careless mistakes, difficulty in controlling anger. • Inability to complete tasks, difficulty sustaining attention toward tasks. • Hyperactive behavior, excessive activity, fidgeting, squirming, running, climbing excessively. • Poor listening...
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...Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Many children are treated with medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The study of alternative methods of behavior modification and treatment must be seriously considered because all medications prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have cumulative and damaging side effects. Many of these side effects are terribly dangerous for a child’s physical and mental health. Parents with children who are diagnosed with ADHD should reconsider the use of administering medication to their children. The steps to medicate a child for ADHD should be carefully researched, studied, and given great thought. Parents should not yield so easily to the pressures of physicians and educators to medicate their children. Based upon a minimal amount of historical studies, the psychiatric and mental health fields of medicine and the National Institute of Mental Health decided in 1998 that ADHD was a legitimate condition. Historical information was supported by studies at the Mayo Clinic and recently published on that web site. Studies reveal that very little is known about the causes of ADHD and that symptoms fall into the two broad categories of inattention and hyperactivity with impulsive behavior (Mayo Clinic). Symptoms that are most universally used when describing the behavior of a school-aged child suspected of having ADHD include: - Doesn’t maintain attention as well as most classmates -...
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...with ADHD Cynthia G. Humphrey Wayland Baptist University RSWR 3345 August 2011 Abstract This paper explores various treatment options for children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The outcome of previous research was reviewed showing the effects on children and adolescents with ADHD when the method of treatment was pharmacology and when the method of treatment was pharmacology along with behavior modification. Behavior modification refers to programs that were administered in an academic environment or behavior programs that were part of psychotherapy. This paper specifically addresses the academic effects of treatment with medication, the effects of treatment with medication and behavior modification, and the effects of treatment with behavior modification alone. Keywords: ADHD; children; adolescents; behavioral; academic; treatment Effective Treatment for Children and Adolescents with ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a complex mental disorder that is controversial because of its method of diagnosis and detection. Children and adolescents with ADHD generally have difficulty concentrating, finishing tasks, controlling behavior, acting impulsively, and being overactive. Managing youth with ADHD can be difficult for parents, teachers and others that have direct contact with the child or adolescent. Medication is one of the most common first lines of treatment used to manage and alleviate the symptoms of ADHD in children...
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...ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a very complex condition that generates a great deal of debate. The debate surrounding this disorder is intense. Debates encompass issues such as, what causes it, how to assess ADHD, and how to deal with it effectively. This essay deals with some of the debates in an attempt to simplify the issues. The first question that needs to be answered is what is ADHD? It is behavioural problems revolving around three main symptoms. One main symptom that an ADHD person displays is the inability to keep their attention focused on something. They are easily distracted, forget instructions and have a poor short term memory. The second main symptom prevalent among those with ADHD is their impulsiveness. They act or shout out inappropriately. They have a short fuse which can lead to temper tantrums. The third main symptom is that those with ADHD are hyperactive. They are unable to sit still and are often restless and fidgety. These factors usually cause problems within the sufferer’s families. ADHD symptoms also cause problems for the sufferer in educational settings, (for children) and in occupational settings, (for adults). There are three subtypes to ADHD. The first subtype is someone who is both hyperactive and impulsive. The second subtype is one who is inattentive only. For example, studies show that at least 40% of people with ADHD have the “Inattentive Type” only. The third subtype is one who shows all of these symptoms combined...
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...While some factors such as heritability cannot be avoided, many environmental factors associated with ADHD liked disorganized attachment between the infant and caregiver are preventable. Many associated risk factors are in fact found in segments of the population that are socially disadvantaged showing an increased prevalence of the disorder among those of lower socioeconomic status. Dr. Joel Nigg, a professor at the Department of Psychiatry at the Oregon Health and Science University cites a long list of preventable risk factors that may influence ADHD including, “maternal psychological stress, poor prenatal care, poor prenatal nutrition, reduced or lack of breastfeeding, poor childcare, low quality schools and housing, increased family stress,...
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...ADHD: Multimodal Approach Lynnette Walker University of North Florida Abstract This paper reviews Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the many effects the disorder has on an individual, and the many therapy options available. A brief description of the disorder is given, as well as the core symptoms, and the functional problems that result from it. Each therapy option is then explained in detail and the benefits of each given. Finally, a brief look at the advantages of using multiple therapy techniques in a multimodal approach and the needs for future research. ADHD: Multimodal Approach ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common disorder that typically presents in early childhood and often continues into adulthood. It is a chronic disorder that has no cure. There are two components of ADHD, attention deficit and hyperactivity. The attention deficit component refers to the lack of attention or difficulty in focusing on activities for extended periods of time, as well as being easily distracted. The hyperactivity component refers to impulsivity, restlessness, fidgeting, and often loud behavior. In order to be diagnosed with ADHD, a patient must exhibit a number of these behaviors that are atypical to children of the same age for at least six months, symptoms having been present before the age of 7, be present in more than one environment, and show impairment in social and academic progress (Monastra, 2008). There are many functional deficiencies...
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...28, 2013 Argumentative Essay ADHD and Medicine for Children When you think of zombies what do you imagine? Do you imagine green, bloody, brain-eating monsters or small, skinny, sleep deprived children? In many cases this is what ADHD medicine turns many children into – zombie-like creatures. Stephanie’s daughter, Hannah, had always been a handful. Even as a preschooler, she would tear through the house like a tornado, shouting, roughhousing, and climbing on the furniture. Nothing seemed to have Hannah’s attention for very long. She would run away in the grocery store or in the mall. It was a full-time job parenting Hannah. Stephanie thought that her little girl was a normal child that got overly excited sometimes. Hannah’s second grade teacher began to notice how hard it was for her to calm Hannah down when she got too excited in class, so she talked to Stephanie about Hannah’s inattentiveness and disruptive behavior. “It was a struggle to get her to do simple tasks such as, homework, coloring, and brushing her teeth. She was so energetic and hyper all of the time. She couldn’t stay focused on anything for long. She would get annoyed and move on to the next thing that caught her attention,” Stephanie says. Her concerns lead her to Hannah’s pediatrician who recommended an evaluation for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated eight to ten percent of school-age children. Boys are about three times more...
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...Diagnosis of ADHD in Youth Brent Townes COM/172 November 10, 2014 Crystal Hicks Diagnosis of ADHD in Youth There have been a lot of studies done on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in the school aged children of today. The Center for Dieses Control and Prevention has completed a mass survey that states 1 and 5 school aged boys has been diagnosed with ADHD, and 11 percent of school aged children overall (ages 4-17 years old). Approximately 6.4 million have been diagnosed as of 2011. This number has increased from 7.8% in 2003 to 11% in 2011. Boys are 13.2% more likely than girls at 5.6% to ever be diagnosed with ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is a real disorder that needs to be addressed, but does not always need medication to treat it. Diagnosis of ADHD For a child to be diagnosed with ADHD there is certain criteria that is supposed to be met. There are several steps to the process in being diagnosed with ADHD, however, there is not one test alone that can diagnosis it. There are many other issues such as anxiety, depression, and other learning disabilities that have similar symptoms as ADHD. There was recently a new manual printed for medical professionals called DSM-5 to diagnosis ADHD. There was a few changes to the DSM-5 such as: symptoms can occur by age 12 rather than by age 6; and adults and children 17 and older are only required to have 5 symptoms rather than the 6 symptoms for children 16 and younger. Here are a few examples...
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...antipsychotic drugs used to treat school-aged children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The distribution of these ADHD medications have steadily increased over the years, which has, on one hand, presented a possible solution to the escalating diagnosis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and on the latter, brought into question the ethics and effectiveness of these medications. Health officials, parents, and the children themselves struggle to come to an agreement when deciding whether or not medication is the best solution. The Debate Over Medicating Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder In the spring of 2004, Jacqueline A. Sparks, an associate professor of family therapy at the University of Rhode Island, and Barry L. Duncan, a cofounder of the Institute for the Study of Therapeutic Change, investigated the ethics and effectiveness behind the distribution of ADHD medications as a modern treatment method for children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Even though, “appropriate identification and treatment of symptoms for psychiatric illnesses (such as ADHD) during childhood and adolescence is critical” (ScienceDaily). Sparks and Duncan note that, “ADHD is arguably the most controversial topic in recent mental health history. The ADHD diagnosis is not defined by a biological marker (Leo & Cohen, 33), but is rather subjective and not easily distinguished from the everyday behavior of children. Thus, the diagnosis lacks reliability...
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...among children, developing children to be specific. Children are rowdy. Many teachers hound parents about getting a child evaluated for ADHD and put on medication for small actions that are typically just normal childhood antics. Lots of students have even witnessed teachers saying that just because a child is noisy because they haven’t quite learned, that they have ADHD. Not every child that has attention problems has ADHD and needs to be put on medication because it can harm them. Children are being referred to doctors to be evaluated for ADHD because they have attention problems. Little ones are prone to having small attention spans and no teacher seems...
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...assess the impact of treatment for ADHD in children’s classroom behavior in correlation to academic performance. Some think medication is the way to go while others believe behavioral therapy and counseling should be taken into consideration. According to the Mayo Clinic, 2015, “Standard treatments for ADHD in children include medications, education, training and counseling. These treatments can relieve many of the symptoms of ADHD, but they don't cure it. It may take some time to determine what works best for your child.” It is not necessarily the way in which ADHD is diagnosed that leaves one stumped but to what degree the symptoms can be helped in a child’s progression throughout an academic career. It has been well established that children with ADHD do face difficulties in daily life functioning including academic underperformance (Kuriyan et al., 2013). Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are all common symptoms of ADHD that have an effect on underperformance; it is also these symptoms that have caused a negative effect on a child’s performance in school. The inability to pay attention manifests in the academic area of a child’s schooling. Students usually are identified with ADHD only after consistently demonstrating a failure to understand or follow rules or to complete required tasks. “The majority of research on the relationship between ADHD and academia performance is concentrated on school-age children, as ADHD is traditionally viewed as a childhood...
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...ADHD: Kiddie Watch Affecting our Daily Lives Benefits of early intervention for special children stressed Article by: | | IVY LISA F. MENDOZA Manila Bulletin Website If there is one thing that has been proven beneficial to children with special needs, it is early intervention (EI). Experts say that intervention services given early to children with special needs starting from ages 0 to eight years old result to long-term benefits thus minimizing the need for special education and other related services. Among these EI services are therapies (speech, physical, occupational), special education and others. "There are also the humanistic and pragmatic rationales for EI, and the biological fact that the human brain?s plasticity allows it to develop when stimulations are provided,?? revealed Dr. Mark Reysio Cruz III, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician whose work involves children with special needs. Dr. Reysio-Cruz along with Mrs. Susana Gosalvez-Pe, a parent of three children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) recently shared their expertise and experience with early intervention, detection and assessment in special education at a symposium. Titled ??Phases to Face: Detection, Assessment and Intervention," the symposium was organized by the master?s in special education class of Dr. Lilia S. Bautista in De La Salle University (DLSU) which aimed to present varying viewpoints in dealing with children with special needs, particularly...
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