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Children and Prescription Drugs

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Submitted By charlie1717
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Running Head: CHILDREN AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Children and Prescription Drugs Although prescription drugs help significantly in some people, can they also be considered harmful in young children? Many children are experiencing early diagnosis on their medical conditions whether it is attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), or even a bipolar disorder. In the past few years the use of prescription drugs in young children has greatly increased in schools and in homes due to parents and doctor’s diagnoses. In numerous cases this can cause harmful side effects. Studies have shown that there are other ways of controlling the disorders without the use of medication. Many of these side affects could easily be avoided. In the article Mass Tracks Children on Physiactric Drugs by S. Allen (2007), doctors who overprescribe or diagnose young children incorrectly are causing harmful side effects. Many children, some even under the age of five, are being diagnosed with forms of psychiatric or medical problems that require prescription medication. Doctors are then going and giving children doses of medicine, sometimes three different kinds at a time (Allen A1). For some children, this works wonders. Others, however, have to deal with serious side effects. In her article for the International Herald Tribune, T. Parker-Pope (2008) states, “Nearly one-third [of children] experience worrisome side effects.. the side defects could be severe such as decreased appetite, weight loss, insomnia, abdominal pain, and personality changes”(P.10). With the long list of side effects, one may have to consider whether the problem is worth trying to solve. Every child is unique and it is obvious that each child needs a different does of medication. How do doctors decide how much medication to give every child? Some doctors even

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