Should children be prescribed psychostimulants at such a young age? By: Yavet Murillo

Table Of Contents Slide One – Social Problem Question Slide Two – Table Of Contents Slide Three – Psychostimulants Slide Four – The Ritalin and Adderall Controversy Slide Five – Pros and cons of ADHD medication Slide Six – The Drawbacks to Medicating Children Slide Seven – Children diagnosed with ADHD graph Slide Eight – References

Psychostimulants Stimulants are drugs that increase alertness, altering a person’s mood by increasing energy. [1] Psychostimulants are prescribed by doctors to treat children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention deficit disorder (ADD). [1] These disorders involve children being overactive, having trouble concentrating, or can’t give their induvial attention to a teacher or another adult. [1] Most common medications prescribed include; Ritalin (methylphenidate hydrochloride) and Adderall (combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine). [1]

The Ritalin and Adderall Controversy Defenders Drug companies and many parents, claim that the drugs help children to stay calm in school and to focus on their work. [1] According to surveyed parents, children on medication had slightly better outcomes than those who weren't. [2] Critics Reject the idea of using drugs to control young people’s behavior. [1] Pediatrician Lawrence Diller claims that U.S. children are being unnecessarily medicated by parents who are overworked or overly concerned with their children’s level of achievement. [1]

Pros and Cons of ADHD medication Although medication helps many children with ADHD, it’s not a cure-all as surveys from 934 parents reveal. [2] Most children and teenagers who take them become less hyperactive and impulsive, are better able to focus, and are less disruptive at home and school. However, there is no good evidence showing that these benefits last longer than about two years. [2] Stimulant medicines have been linked to rare cases of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death. [2] Diagnosis can be difficult and a variety of psychiatric disorders can cause symptoms that mimic ADHD, many children and teenagers taking medication might not have ADHD or have only mild symptoms that do not require it. [2]

The Drawbacks to Medicating Children Children’s bodies do not absorb and eliminate drugs in the same way adult bodies do, and their developing brains may be affected differently by drugs than the adults on whom the drugs were tested. [3] A child’s psycho-sexual and social development may well be interrupted by psychotropic drugs. [3] Stimulants can slow a child’s growth or weight gain. [3] Research shows that children who take stimulants are at higher risk for addiction to drugs like cocaine in late adolescence or early adulthood. [3] A child who takes antipsychotics has a significant risk of weight gain and metabolic problems which puts the child at risk for Type 2 Diabetes. [3]

References Macionis, J. (2010). Social problems (6th ed., census ed.). Boston: Prentice Hall. [1] Pros and Cons of ADHD Medication - Consumer Reports. (2010, July 1). Retrieved December 5, 2015. [2] Wedge, Ph.D., M. (2013, February 28). The Drawbacks to Medicated Children. Retrieved December 5, 2015. [3] ADHD by the Numbers: Facts, Statistics, and You. (2014, September 4). Retrieved December 5, 2015.