Is the Diagnosis of ADHD Putting Our Children's Health at Risk?

Would you believe that today, millions of American children maintain their social performance with psychoactive drugs? According to neurologist Dr. Fred Baughman, between 5 and 7 million children are diagnosed with ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) in a whopping comparison to 500,000 in 1985. (www.adhdreport.com) Overly medicating children with these disorders is a problem in our society. Parents fear the effect of these powerful drugs, such as Ritalin and Dexamphetamine, and their concerns are justified. However, medications like Methylphenidate are being used everyday to "fix" a child or calm them down.

Overdiagnosis is a major problem with ADHD. Anxious children are likely to be hyperactive and to have short attention spans. Sometimes, children who have become anxious after being traumatized are even misdiagnosed with the disorder. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, previously known as attention deficit disorder, is defined as "a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by pervasive inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity that often results in substantial functional impairment". Prevalence estimates of ADHD have ranged from 2% to 18%. Understanding this growing number of children who have had ADHD diagnosed and are currently taking medication for the disorder is an important step toward realizing the difficult issue of ADHD in the United States. Before, population-based estimates of medication treatment for ADHD were not available or were limited. the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) estimated rates of parent-reported ADHD diagnosis and medication treatment for ADHD. It describes the results which indicated that, in 2003 approximately 4.4 million children aged 4-17 years were reported to have a history of ADHD diagnosis; of these, 2.5 million (56%) were reported to be taking medications. (Visser)

In these common situations of over diagnosing, parents are usually the main culprits simply because it is the easiest solution. Although the concern is lingering in the back of their minds, parents do not usually realize the negative effects on their children. They proceed to buy the prescriptions. Also, studies have shown that mothers of children with ADHD experience high levels of "depressive symptomatology" (Nigg & Hinshaw, 1998). Parental depression has also been shown to predict family conflict and behavior problems in children with ADHD, making circumstances even worse. (Chi)

Many children respond to Ritalin positively with different levels of success, but over 25% experience no significant improvements. Like many usual drugs, Ritalin only holds back the symptoms without changing the underlying condition. Reported side-effects include headaches, dizziness, stomach aches, increased heart rate or blood pressure, drowsiness, insomnia, nail-biting, appetite loss, social withdrawal, anxiety, irritability, moodiness, tics and other involuntary movements or sounds! (Ullman) If more ADHD parents were to research this topic, most would seek alternative options for their so-called hyperactive children.

These negative effects on our youth can be prevented by other means. Too many medicated children do not receive the other forms of help they need if they are to become aware of their difficulties and they can learn to compensate for them. Behavior modification managed by an understanding child therapist can help just as well as drugs, especially if he or she can help the child's desire to overcome their poor controls. Also, Clinical Psychologist, Michele Carelse, has worked for many years with both children BrightSpark is her patented 100% homeopathic formula to treat the symptoms of child ADHD withoutthe potentially dangerous side effects associated with many psychiatric drugs.

However, in any case that medication is advised, it should be to at least a preteen or adult so he/she can understand its purpose and recognize its effect on their symptoms. This can give him/her hope that they are now able to master his poor impulse control and feelings of being overloaded. But even so, the patient won't feel that way if the medicine is given all the credit for the improvement.

On the other hand, children with ADHD may be successfully treated with drugs like Ritalin (not considering the other methods). A study by Efron and colleagues compared the two main drugs used to aid ADHD patients- Methylphenidate and Dexamphetamine. It had shown that one drug helped improve by 68.8% and the other at 72%. Symptoms like nightmares, stomachaches, and anxiousness were decreased in children using Methylphenidate. (Huffman) While these improvements are at a high rate, do the symptoms need treatment at all?

Children, from age three all the way up to 15 years are well known for their impulsive behaviors. These common symptoms of ADHD seem to correlate with the simple actions of a "normal" child. At what point can one say that the development of vital emotional and social skills are at risk of a delay? In Efron's study, Dexamphetamine increased insomnia, and in not one but both drugs poor appetite increased in children. Before looking to the easy route, parents may need to make sure these medications do not make the situation worse in the long run.

The "long run", in other words the future of American children (and others across the nation) is crucial. The accelerating rate of the diagnosis of ADHD in children is remarkable. Treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with medication can provide lasting results, but the risks and benefits of those treatments may vary substantially over time. About 5,999,500,000 more chlidren are declared to have the disorder today than twenty years ago. Overdiagnosis by doctors and parents' acceptance of it, is the main reason why children are being hit with unnecissary symptoms and effects that could alter their futures. Instead of pumping 3-year olds full of psychoactive drugs, perhaps spending time playing with and talking to the child will work wonders. It's the least we can do for our society's future minds.