Psychotropic medications, also referred to as psychiatric or psychotherapeutic medications, are used to treat psychiatric disorders, such as: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They have been used for many years and oftentimes come with dangerous side effects. The side effects that often occur in children taking these medications can include: fainting, blurred vision, vomiting, extreme weight gain, and even death ("Seroquel information,” n.d.). The use of psychotropic medication to treat mental disorders in children and adolescents is highly controversial because of ethical viewpoints (i.e. parents “drugging” their children to calm them down) and potentially harmful side effects, but one has to take into consideration whether the risks outweigh the benefits when deciding whether or not to give this type of medication to children. The use of psychotropic medication in children and adolescents dates back to 1937 when Charles Bradley conducted a study by prescribing the stimulant amphetamine sulphate (Benzedrine) to modify the behavior of children with severe behavioral disturbance. (Adams, 1991) Since these studies were conducted, more and more children and adolescents have been prescribed stimulants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers for various mental disorders, such as: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The potential side effects that happen to children taking these medications can include: fainting, blurred vision, vomiting, extreme weight gain, and even death ("Seroquel information,” n.d.). According to an article published by the University... ... middle of paper ... ...opic drugs. Retrieved from http://www.umdnj.edu/umcweb/marketing_and_communications/publications/umdnj_magazine/hstate/winter_spring01/features/feature03_psychotropic.htm NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health). (2008). Nimh - mental health medications. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/complete-index.shtml Seroquel information from drugs.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.drugs.com/seroquel.html Whitaker, R. (2010, December 04). Do psychiatric medications impair normal brain development?. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mad-in-america/201012/do-psychiatric-medications-impair-normal-brain-development Wilson, D. (2010, September 01). Child’s ordeal shows risks of psychosis drugs for young. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/02/business/02kids.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
NAMI - The National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). NAMI. Retrieved February 24, 2014, from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=by_illness&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=61191
A central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, methylphenidate—more commonly known as Ritalin—is drug prescribed in the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) ((1)). AD/HD, by definition, is "developmentally inappropriate behavior, including poor attention skills, impulsivity, and hyperactivity" sustained for more than 6 months, appearing usually during childhood2 ((2)). Figures estimate an approximate 3-5% of children are affected by the disorder. Differing views, however, exist about the legitimacy of the majority of these diagnoses. In light of this, the object of this assessment is to examine the bodily and societal implications of methylphenidate.
The most popular use of Ritalin is in the treatment of Attention-deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which can affect children as well as adults. It is usually noticeable and brought to light when a child starts school, although it can be diagnosed earlier than this. ADHD is one of the most commonly diagnosed psychological disorders in children and the causes of it are still unknown. “It affects about 6–7% of children when diagnosed via the DSM-IV criteria” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder The symptoms of attention-deficient hyperactivity vary, but the most noticeable symptoms are when a person has a hard time focusing, keeping to themselves, talking excessively, and blurting out without thinking. They are often impulsive and do not think about the consequences that their behavior has. Medication is not the only form of treatment for ADHD, but it is the fastest acting treatment. “So while medication may help with some immediate relief from some of the symptoms, the person with attention deficit disorder still often needs to learn the skills needed to be successful while l...
...ve physical deformities, decreased birth weight and respiratory difficulties. The drugs can also carry adverse behavioral effects, including high pitched crying, abnormal sleep patterns and decreased attention. Studies have determined that some infants can rectify these behavioral inconsistencies, but that the change is dependent upon a responsive caregiver in a nurturing environment.
"NAMI - The National Alliance on Mental Illness." NAMI. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2014.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most widely diagnosed “mental-illness” in children in the United States today, and approximately 99% of children diagnosed are prescribed daily doses of methylphenidate in order to control undesirable behaviors. (Stolzer)
According to the FDA, about 2.5% of children and around 8% of adolescents are affected by depression (Temple). A common way to treat depression is by taking antidepressants. Children and teens have also been prescribed antidepressants for various reasons other than depression such as OCD and anxiety disorders. While it is legal for teenagers and children to take antidepressants, many people are concerned with the issues that taking antidepressants have. Children and teens should be allowed to take antidepressants only when other forms of therapy don’t work. Antidepressants are serious drugs that have severe warnings when children and teens use them. There is also an increased risk of worsening depression and suicide in children and teens, especially in the when they begin to take it. Even the less severe side effects can make quite a negative impact on life.
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. Also, not only are the parents happy with the outcome of their children taking the prescribed medication but so are the children themselves. Proponents also argue that by not letting parents of the children, young adults and adults choose to take these prescriptions when diagnosed with ADHD that the medical and psychiatric communities would be in violation of the principle of autonomy. Justice as well would be violated since most of the burden of dealing with all the symptoms caused by this disorder would fall onto those with ADHD and partly on their families. Opponents of giving ADHD medication to children point out that it is not only going to children with ADHD but also being prescribed to those not diagnosed with the disorder as well as the pills being given or sold to other children and young adults. They also claim that the full side effects of ADHD medication are still not known and could have harmful long- lasting side effects on the children taking the medications. In this case, the princip...
The documentary “The Medicated Child” gave me a lot of insight into the lives of children diagnosed with bipolar disorder. When we hear and learn about bipolar disorder, we do not normally think of children. However, there are many children diagnosed with bipolar disorder ranging from all ages. As we saw in the documentary, bipolar disorder can be very hard on both the child and the family, so finding a cure that is effective and safe is important. The video also highlighted how little research there has been on the effectiveness of antidepressants on children.
A steep rise in the past ten years is shown in the diagnoses and medicating childhood disorders and more specifically bipolar disorder. An initial dose is given to a child to stabilize a psychological disorder. I turn this one drug cause the need for more drugs due to side effects. New medications are then used in order to reduce new side effects. The problem is the use of numerous medications in childhood diagnosed bipolar disorder. Many issues arise due to a lack of research on childhood medication use by the FDA, difficulty in proper diagnoses of bipolar disorder, and over medicating children. The video, “The Medicated Child”, explains the many issues faced in proper diagnoses of childhood mental illness and proper treatment to include medications.
According to Schwarz and Cohen (2013), approximately 11% of children are under medication. Authors have pointed out that one boy in every five high school boys have received medical treatment for ADHD. The above mentioned prevalence rates of ADHD among children and increase in medication have raised concerns among physicians that over-diagnosis and overmedication has become common among American children. Prescription of certain stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall for children for improvement of their lives downgraded by the disorder has led to anxiety, addiction and psychosis. Experts think that long term use of stimulants such as Ritalin leads to physical dependence. It is also clear that long term users and abusers of Ritalin leads to the addiction. Schwarz and Cohen (2013) show that close to 6.4 million children of age of 4 and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD in their lifetime. The reports made in the past two decades show a 41 % increase of ADHD diagnosis. In addition, there is an increase in diagnosis of the disorder by 16% among children since 2007. According to Lavender (2013), North Carolina has the highest number of children diagnosed w...
"NAMI - The National Alliance on Mental Illness." NAMI. National Alliance on Mental Illness, n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.
Side effects of antipsychotics have been linked to assaultive and violent behavior. Side effects can sometimes be more pronounced than a drug’s intended effect. Children are not experimental animals. They are human beings who have every right to expect protection, care, love and the chance to reach their full potential in life. Children are our future.
Ever since the turn of the twenty-first century, the medical community has begun diagnosing metal diseases in children at an astounding rate. Recent studies have concluded that medical doctors have been increasingly diagnosing children with mental diseases of all kinds. This, in turn, has also led to physicians prescribing medication for all the mental problems they are finding that the children possess. One of the most diagnosed is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This metal problem causes the child to have difficulties paying attention anywhere. Drugs used to treat problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and disorders like it are Adderall and Ritalin. The majority of people consider taking these drugs as a young adult
Although American culture has changed over the years, parents today still want what is best for their children. Why then, are parents allowing their children to be put on medications that may have an adverse effect on their children? Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) have increasingly been diagnosed among young children today. Parents should become more informed about the over diagnosing, side effects, results of the medication and all other pertinent information before they allow their children to become treated. In this research paper we are first going to look at why ADD and ADHD diagnosing has become so widespread. Then we will look into the side effects of Ritalin; the number one drug prescribed for ADD and ADHD. Finally, we will consider the results of the treatment.