Overmedicated Children in ADD and ADHD Essay

Are children overmedicated in regards to ADD and ADHD?

Introduction

According to a report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 10,000 children could be receiving psych stimulant medication, e.g., Methylphenidate referred to as Ritalin. This report lead was reported by among others, the media indicates that children are being overmedicated, because of mainly the notably high numbers (Insel). Also, a study by the University of Florida College of Pharmacy showed that there is about a 40% chance of having three-year-olds who have been diagnosed with ADHD taking up to three kinds of mental health drugs by the time they are aged eight years old (Lea Reynolds). These drugs include anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and other multi-mental health drugs. The findings of these two reports bring to the forefront the claim that children with ADD or ADHD are being overmedicated (Lea Reynolds). This essay, therefore, seeks to argue this proposition by taking the argument that, yes, children diagnosed with ADHD or/and ADD are being overmedicated.

Children with ADD and ADHD are overmedicated

According to statistics reports by the National Center for Health, in 2015-2016, nearly 20% of children – under the age of 18 years were taking prescription drugs. According to the 2011-2012 estimates, 7.5% of children in America between the age of 6 and 17 years were taking medication for emotional or/and behavioral challenges (Insel; Kazda et al.). According to the CDC reports, from 1988-1994 to 2007-2010 period, there was a five-fold increase in the number of children in America taking psychostimulants. According to the recent data, about 4.2% of children in America are under psychostimulants and 1.3% for those under antidepressants. Statistical data shows that the rate of children under antipsychotic prescriptions in America has increased six-fold over the 1988-1994 to 2007-2010 periods (Olfson et al., 1247-1256).

Based on age, the health of a young person is considered to be more stable and, thus, should be on less, in any medication, as compared to adults. In typical settings, the only medication that children are on is vaccinations. Therefore, as shown by the study by the University of Florida, College of Pharmacy, the fact that 3-year-old children are taking three kinds of medication at a time is the clear definition of overmedication.

Rebuttal

In the American environment, families are facing numerous challenges as parents have to juggle between jobs to make enough to support their families. Also, in the urban environment where the majority of the families are residing, the environments are polluted and increasingly non-conducive for childhood. This is, therefore, the root cause of child psychotic and behavioral challenges. With everybody 'busy' to make money, healthcare professional does not have enough time for therapy, and thus, medication remains the only viable remedy for children who have ADD or ADHD (Insel; Lea Reynolds). It is therefore misplaced to argue that this is a case of child overmedication, as this doesn't address the underlying issues, which is how the American society and…