Ritalin is a brand name for methylphenidate. Ritalin is a mild central nervous system stimulant that doctors prescribe to treat several disorders. The most common use of Ritalin is for the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Another known use of Ritalin is in the treatment of Narcolepsy. A doctor might also prescribe it to treat depression. Ritalin and other drugs in the stimulant class, work by increasing the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Ritalin has been tested and proven safe to use in children ages six and older.
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...
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...modified on 22 April 2014 at 10:11 http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/narcolepsy This page was last updated: September 18, 2013
VanScoy, H. (2006). What Makes Ritalin Work?. Psych Central. Retrieved on April 24, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/what-makes-ritalin-work/000256 http://www.rxlist.com/ritalin-side-effects-drug-center.htm Martin, B. (2007). Treatment for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD). Psych Central. Retrieved on April 24, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/treatment-for-attention-deficit-disorder-adhd/0001204 http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml http://allpsych.com/disorders/sleep/narcolepsy.html http://www.psnpaloalto.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Depression-Diagnostic-Criteria-and-Severity-Rating.pdf https://www.msu.edu/course/cep/888/ADHD%20files/DSM-IV.htm
ADHD is believed to be caused by abnormalities in the dopamine neurotransmitters in the brain (Berne 4). The symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity that are inappropriate for a person's age level. In other words, the patient’s brain is like a light constantly going off and on at the worst possible times. Although there is no cure for ADHD, treatment can help control symptoms. Stimulant therapy is the most commonly used type of treatment. These drugs improve ADHD symptoms in 70 percent of adults and 70-80 percent of children shortly after starting treatment (ADHD 3). Adderall RX, or its formal name of Methylphenidate, is the most common form of treatment for ADHD. In an article by Dr. Phillip W. Long, he states that, “The mode of action in man is not completely understood, but meth...
As stated previously, medication is the most common option that parents choose for their children. The most common prescriptions are Dexedrine, Cylert, Ritalin, and Adderall. Medication is highly effective. For around 75%-90% of prescribed patients, these work to solve their issues. This is a definite advantage to taking medication is that it is almost guaranteed to work. There are drawbacks to taking medication however; the trial-and-error process, cost of medication, and the side effects that can come with medication. As with any brain chemical medication, there comes a trial-and-error process to determine the right balance and the right amount to really curb the symptoms that come with. Just like any medication that people need to operate, the cost does add up whereas with behavioral therapy, there is no medication to buy and thus no costs. Lastly, there are side effects that come with ADHD. These can be insomnia, nervousness, headaches, and weight loss. Despite all these drawbacks, medication is the fastest and most effective way to treat ADHD (“Identifying and Treating Attention Deficit
One of the main treatments for ADHD is the use of medication. Primarily the main medication used is stimulants such as amphetamines. Amphetamines have been used in this treatment due to its effects of reducing the symptoms of ADHD such as behavior and irritability (Hodgkins, Shaw, McCarthy, Sallee, 2012). A major concern though with the use of amphetamines is...
...disease so the active children can take a pill. Ritalin is given to children so the parents can handle their over-committed lives. Ritalin is given to children so teachers can better manage their overcrowded classrooms. Ritalin is given to children by doctors to pacify screaming parents who are convinced there is something wrong with their energetic kids. Ritalin is for the adults medicating themselves through their children. Ritalin is given to the wrong patient.
National Institute of Drug Abuse (2010). Cocaine: How is Cocaine Abused? Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/how-cocaine-abused on 24th March, 2014.
Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders. 2005. The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Second Encyclopedia.com. The World of War II. 17 May. 2012 http://www.encyclopedia.com Zieman, Gayle and Dewan, Naakeesh A. “Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adults”. Relay Clinical Education -.
Stimulant drugs are widely used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. These stimulants dramatically reduce the hyperactivity of sufferers and improve their ability to focus, learn and work. Such medication may also improve physical coordination, for instance handwriting and sports. Research completed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests that these medicines may also help children with an accompanying conduct disorder to control their impulsive, destructive behaviours. The three medications that have been proven by the NIMH to be most effective in both children and adults suffering from ADHD are: methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine or Dextrostat), and pemoline (Cylert). (NIMH 1999) Yet there is currently much research on the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, such as t...
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)
Every day, doctors are diagnosing kids with ADHD. A diagnosis can come as early as four years old. Doctors evaluate the patient. They also read reports from teachers and or coaches, along with talking with the child’s parents. Typical symptoms of ADHD include: “being in constant motion, squirming and fidgeting, making careless mistakes, not wanting to listen, being easily distracted, losing things, and making careless mistakes” (WebMD, 2014). If a child is diagnosed with ADHD, they may be put on a typical ADHD drug. Medicines that are used to t...
Treatment. (2012, September 13). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 14, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/features/adhd-key-findings-play.html
Smith, M., Segel, J., & Ramsey, D. (2013, 9). Add / adhd medications. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_medications.htm
The purpose of this research was to describe and understand Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the most effective treatment options that are available today. ADHD is a mental health disorder that affects 3-9% of the population in ways that, if left untreated, can wreak havoc on the mind of the sufferer. It makes concentration difficult, large tasks seem insurmountable, and causes impulsive and hyperactive tendencies. Fortunately, research and experiments have led to new and effective treatments to help those who suffer from this disorder (Dupaul 8). This research examined journal articles and internet sources on the topic to help unlock the complexities of the disorder through scientific research. It also was a way to separate the myths of the disorder from the truths, while discovering the causes, diagnosis methods, and best treatment alternatives to battle this prevalent disorder.
“What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD)?” National Institute of Mental Health. National Institutes of Health. Web. 6 March 2014.
Martin, B. (2007). Causes of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD). Psych Central. Retrieved on December 3, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/causes-of-attention-deficit-disorder-adhd/0001202