The Ethics of Giving Children ADHD Medication

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is classified as a syndrome that is comprised of a variety of behaviors that often arises in early childhood and is characterized by extremely high levels of motor activity, difficulties with attention span and concentrating, and/or impulsive behaviors (Cook & Cash, 2011). It has been estimated in the United States that approximately 20% of children and adolescents display signs of a psychological or behavioral disorder according to Luthy, David, Macintosh, Eden, and Beckstrand (2015). ADHD is considered one of the more prevalent psychological disorders in children, with approximately 3-7% of school-age children with an ADHD diagnosis as mentioned by Luthy et al. (2015).

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder(ADD) are two very public disorders, mainly among kids ranging in age from elementary school through college and on into adulthood. There are many different treatments developed now to help aid the effects that come with ADD/ADHD, the most common of which is medications. The two biggest brand name medications used to treat ADD and ADHD are Vyvanse and Adderall. Both of these medications are stimulant medications, which by definition from The Encyclopedia means, “Stimulant [medication is] any drug that excites any bodily function, but more specifically those that stimulate the brain and central nervous system. Stimulants induce alertness, elevated mood, wakefulness,

Attention Deficit Disorder better known as ADD and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ADHD are diseases mostly discovered in children that have difficulty staying on task and focused in a classroom setting. Children take certain medications to help them concentrate and stay on task. Parents believe that medicating students will allow them to better fit in school. Schools believe that if students take these certain medications, it will help them perform better on assignments and on tests. Teachers think that students will be able to adapt to the learning curriculum better.

Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are behavioral disorders affecting attention span, impulse control, and self-discipline. They are usually associated with children, although adults can suffer from the same disorders. It is estimated that 4% - 6% of the U.S. population suffers from AD/HD, and children with the disorders carry them into adulthood more than half the time. Typically medicated with psychostimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall, (methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, respectively), concern over these disorders surrounds problems such as over-diagnosis or misuse of the prescription medications.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.

In the article, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, the disorder is defined, as well as the current treatment for the disorder which tends to be the drug Ritalin. While there are many other drugs available for treatment, Ritalin is the most

A medication commonly used to treat ADHD is Adderall, and Adderall is a drug used to increase a person’s ability to pay attention, stay focused on an activity, and control behavior problems. Adderall changes the certain natural substance of Amphetamine, a stimulant, in a person’s brain. (WEBMD) Since this drug is a stimulant of the brain it has become very common and popular for those who are not diagnosed

According to the APA (2014), ADHD is a behavioral condition that makes focusing on everyday requests and routines challenging. Children with ADHD can be defiant, fidgety, noisy, socially inept, aggressive, and resist change (APA 2014). Medications such as Ritalin, Adderall, or Strattera are the most common form of treatment for children with ADHD. These medications are usually effective in modifying behavior, but seldom result in academic improvement. The medications also have an extensive list of potential side effects including rash, loss of appetite, and trouble breathing. Alternative therapies such as play therapy, cognitive therapy, psychotherapy, behavioral therapy and special ADHD diets do exist. With these alternative methods

One controversial area of pediatric (children's) medicine is in the treatment of condition called Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Symptoms of ADHD often include: hyperactivity, impulsive behavior and the inability to concentrate. In some instances, the symptoms extend beyond that into areas such as anti-social activities and even aggression.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder that causes children to have problems with paying attention, trouble with following instructions, have impulsive behaviors and become easily distracted. Medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are used to treat the symptoms of this disorder by helping the patient to focus and pay attention while also curbing their impulsive behavior and hyperactivity. Side effects of these medications are, but not limited to, anxiety, addiction and in some cases psychosis. Proponents of giving ADHD medication to children argue that ADHD is a real disorder in children and the medication does improve the symptoms of the disorder by a large margin as well as being cost effective.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD causes children to have problems with paying attention, following instructions, and they can even have impulsive behaviors and become easily distracted. (mayoclinic.org/disease-conditions/adhd) Children with ADHD may also have low self esteem, depression and trouble with academics. Medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are used to treat the symptoms of this disorder by helping the patient to focus and pay attention while also controlling their impulsive behavior and hyperactivity (nimh.nih.gov). Side effects of these medications are sometimes, anxiety, addiction and in some cases psychosis. Many

When children are little and not feeling well, all it took for them to give that partially energetic smile was for either mommy or daddy to kiss where they were hurting, or give them a hug to make them feel better. In today’s times where feeling bad can be as simple as a cold to a lifelong ailment like ADHD, the usage of medication can help whether it is prescribed or over-the-counter. From the simplicity of an aspirin-a-day to help prevent a heart attack to being prescribed morphine to aid in extreme pain cases. When it comes to any illness, medication can be an essential factor in the recovery regiment or as the means to control the illness. ADHD is no exception. One of the most recognized medications

Over the past couple of decades there has been a huge increase in the diagnosis and prescriptions given out for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. According to a news report done by USA Today over the past five years use of ADHD medications have risen 40% totaling 39.5 million individual prescriptions ("New findings," 2009). When statistics like this are seen it is only normal for someone to ask questions. People are becoming curious about the legitimacy of the disorder, and whether or not the treatments being given to individuals are appropriate. The argument seems to be strong on both sides of the fence, but the extensive research done on ADHD leaves it hard for one to believe that it is a made up disorder.

What if there were a way to easily control young children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) whose behavior can impede their health? There is, ADHD medication, such as ritalin or adderall, can help children focus, control hyperactivity and reduce injuries. Medication is a necessity in controlling children who have been diagnosed with ADHD.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder that is treated with stimulant drugs, methylphenidate (Ritalin) and mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall) (“Towards responsible use” 2008). ADHD symptoms can be diagnosed in a child or an adult, and when treated with Ritalin or Adderall it helps to increase attention span, and decrease impulsive behaviour and hyperactivity (Advokat & Scheithauer 2013) within the individual. While this is good for people with ADHD, psychologists are finding more and more use of these stimulant drugs by healthy college students. Non-ADHD, healthy college students use these stimulant drugs to enhance cognitive performance in school. Those who are for using stimulants in school see it as a tool to help them study. Those who are against using stimulants in school see it as an unfair advantage against the students who are not using these drugs. This has raised a debate of whether or not using these stimulants is classified as cheating, whether the stimulants have an effect on the academic performance of college students, and the dangers and possible side effects of using stimulant neuroenhancing drugs. Before we can get into the debate fully, one must ask how these stimulant drugs could get into the hands of these students so easily.