Is Adhd over-Diagnosed Among School Children
Is ADHD Over-diagnosed Among School Children?
After reading the review, (Is ADHD over-diagnosed among school children?) by C. Collins, I am in agreement with T. E. Elder in that yes, ADHD is over-diagnosed.
I chose to accompany the review by C. Collins with the article, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, which originated from the Facts on File; Issues and Controversies Database. After reading both the review and the article I highly believe that ADHD is definitely over-diagnosed.
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 popular and between the years 1990 and 1998 the production of the drug increased by 800% (para. 2). “Children account for 75% of Ritalin consumption in the U.S” (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, para. 12). While Ritalin seems to be highly effective in treating children with ADHD there are also many problems with the drug. It has shown to make children very docile and in some instances can completely alter their personality for the worse. The controversy of the use of Ritalin to treat children with ADHD is high due to the fact that the long-term effects of the drug are not known.
Many experts believe that treating a child who has ADHD with just Ritalin is not necessarily a cure for the disorder. Treatment should also include psychosocial treatment and for the best results, parents and teachers need to be involved in monitoring the child and working closely with the child’s doctors.
Critics of diagnosing children with ADHD believe that the diagnosis is an easy fix for parents or teachers who do not have the patience or ability to deal with an overly-active child. According to the article, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, children are meant to be hyperactive and have short attention spans. Every child is different
After reading the review, (Is ADHD over-diagnosed among school children?) by C. Collins, I am in agreement with T. E. Elder in that yes, ADHD is over-diagnosed.
I chose to accompany the review by C. Collins with the article, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, which originated from the Facts on File; Issues and Controversies Database. After reading both the review and the article I highly believe that ADHD is definitely over-diagnosed.
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 popular and between the years 1990 and 1998 the production of the drug increased by 800% (para. 2). “Children account for 75% of Ritalin consumption in the U.S” (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, para. 12). While Ritalin seems to be highly effective in treating children with ADHD there are also many problems with the drug. It has shown to make children very docile and in some instances can completely alter their personality for the worse. The controversy of the use of Ritalin to treat children with ADHD is high due to the fact that the long-term effects of the drug are not known.
Many experts believe that treating a child who has ADHD with just Ritalin is not necessarily a cure for the disorder. Treatment should also include psychosocial treatment and for the best results, parents and teachers need to be involved in monitoring the child and working closely with the child’s doctors.
Critics of diagnosing children with ADHD believe that the diagnosis is an easy fix for parents or teachers who do not have the patience or ability to deal with an overly-active child. According to the article, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, children are meant to be hyperactive and have short attention spans. Every child is different
Cited: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Facts on File, Issues and Controversies Database http://www.2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i0400830&term=is+adhd+overdiagnosed+among+school+children Is ADHD over-diagnosed in school children? C. Collins.