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... symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, it has been shown in numerous studies that stimulant medication provides significant benefits to between 70 and 80 % of children with ADHD. The most commonly prescribed medication used to treat ADHD is Ritalin (the generic form is called methylphenidate), although numerous other medications are also used. (Ingersoll, Goldstein, pg. 88) It is not known exactly how the medication works, but available evidence suggests that it works by correcting a biochemical condition in the brain that interferes with attention and impulse control. The beneficial effects of stimulant medication treatment can be dramatic. Attention to assigned class work can be improved to the extent that the child is no longer inattentive; activity level can decline to within normal limits and impulsivity can be substantially reduced. (Armstrong, 1995, pg. 55) Interactions between parent and child and between the child and his or her siblings have also been shown to improve. (Hallowell, Rate, 1994, pg. 239) Academically, children who respond positively to medications show improvements in the quantity and quality of work they complete.
It remains to be seen however, if the effects on childrens academic, behavioral, and social functioning improve. The safeties of Ritalin for treating ADHD have been documented in over 150 controlled studies. Despite this amount of support for stimulant treatment, several cautions need to be kept in mind. These include: &# 61623; The majority of these studies were conducted with school age children and the available evidence with other age groups is much more limited. &# 61623; Over 80 % of studies done prior to 1997 examined the efficacy of Ritalin. &# 61623; Almost all studies are very brief not more than a few in duration. &# 61623; Over 80 % of studies done prior to 1997 examined the efficacy of Ritalin &# 61623; Almost all studies are very brief not more than a few in duration. &# 61623; Most studies have been restricted to caucasian males. (q.
In Hallowell, Rate 250) As with any medication the side effects include sleep difficulties, stomachaches, headaches, loss of appetite, drowsiness, irritability, nervousness. In very rare cases, the medication can lead to nervous tics, hallucinations, and bizarre behavior. There are however, a number of myths concerning medication that discourage many parents from considering its use. These myths include the following: &# 61623; Children treated with stimulant medication will become addicted to it and are more likely to abuse other drugs. &# 61623; Stimulant medication stunts growth. &# 61623; Stimulant medication works by turning children into zombies. (q. Ingersoll, Goldstein, pg. 92) Some children do become sluggish and withdrawn, but these symptoms indicate that the dose is too high. Studies have shown an increase in social behavior in the children treated, which would not be the case if it simply turned children into zombies. (Ingersoll, Goldstein pg. 93. ) It has been documented that as many as 20 - 30 % of children do not experience significant benefits.
Due in part mainly to some children receiving a placebo. (Ingersoll, Goldstein pg. 105. ) The most common required medication is 2 - 3 doses per day. The effects of the medication usually wear off within 3 - 8 hours. For children whose symptoms are mild, a medication during the school day is all that is needed. Unfortunately, more severe forms, where the child still has difficulty behaving may require medication outside of school hours.
Most experts agree that medication should be used in moderation. Some parents, who were only administering medication during school hours, have noted that the desired behavior was achieved in school, but terrible behavior at home. In a journal article written by Dr. Peter Breggin, (Breggin, pg. 55 - 72), he believes that symptoms will disappear when the children have something interesting to do, or when they are given a minimal amount of attention. In Dr Breggin's experience he feels that most children are not receiving enough attention from the their parents. His theory is that when treated with respect, the children tend to respond respectfully.
When loved, they tend to love. These are areas that should be discussed during the evaluation process for diagnosing; most doctors dismiss this intrinsic diagnosis. When parents of children with ADD are asked about abnormal psychosocial relations, they may not readily report unhappiness or discord, lack of warmth or physical abuse, either because they are not aware of these problems or because they may want to hide their own negative interactions with their children. Yet, so quickly in great numbers these children are being diagnosed with a mental illness (and just as quickly prescribed Ritalin) a label that can follow them into adulthood, to ruin their future lives. Dr.
Breggin states the cure for these children is more rational and loving attention from their parents. Most people today crave the attention of a parent, who is caring, relaxed and firm role model. Most contemporary experts agree that Ritalin affects all children the same. The effects have a paradoxical effect, at the doses prescribed children are spaced out, not in touch with their feeling, and that is how they are able to concentrate on schoolroom tasks.
In contrast to Ingersoll, Goldstein's, beneficial effects on medication, Dr. Breggin states quite the opposite: Drug induced compliant behavior may be accompanied by isolated, withdrawn, and over focused behavior. Some medicated children seem zombie-like: and the doses make ADHD children more somber, quiet, and still. May produce social isolation by increasing time spent alone, and decreasing time spent in positive interaction on the playground. (45) Parents are seldom told that methylphenidate is speed and that it is pharmacologic ally classified with amphetamines and causes the very same effects, side effects, and risks.
Yet this is well known in the profession. For example, Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders observes that cocaine, amphetamines, and methylphenidate are neuropharmacologically alike (American Psychiatric Association 1989, p. 1221). Children can benefit from guidance in learning to be responsible for their own conduct; but they do not gain from being blamed for the trauma and stress that they are exposed to in the environment around them. They need empowerment, not diagnoses and mind disabling drugs.
Most of all, they thrive when adults show concern and attention to their basic needs as children. All in all the controversy of ADD is that there has been difficulty in agreements on basic characteristics, and the issues concerning whether treatment should focus on the behaviors of these children, or should treatment with stimulant drugs be used. Conflicts arise because each child is unique, and more research is needed so those doctors can at least know what type of child are the subject and the underlying problems that surface in order to diagnose correctly. The label is attached to children who probably are only missing love and attention from an adult. As a result the prescription medication to children is largely justified on the basis of initial diagnosis. Although in a vast majority of cases where medication is felt to be appropriate treatment Methylphenidate (Ritalin), is the drug of choice.
Each childs symptoms need to be managed effectively through other means including behavioral interventions, which should always be tried first. In short, our children relate to us mostly through home and school. In both places we need a new devotion to parenting and giving our children a more caring connection with us. Conflict can be more readily resolved as it ideally should be through solutions rather than through promiscuous over diagnosing just to clear anxiety and frustration. Therefore Ritalin alone is not enough to straighten out a hyperactive, short attention span child. Bibliography:
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