Hyper-Active America

Hyper-Active America; Are we Over Drugging our Children?

In America, children every day are prescribed easy fix-it drugs for not falling under the social norm. Parents, teachers and psychologists tend to diagnose and medicate, rather than address other issues that may be affecting their children in a negative way. If we had drugged Albert Einstein, John Lennon, Robert Williams, and Walt Disney, where would they be now? It has been proven that medication can help, but it often hurts a child more than helps. Medication hinders the imaginative spark that is each and every child. My question is, Are we, as a nation over prescribing our children?

six (or more) of the following symptoms of inattention have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level:

a. often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities

b. often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities

c. often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

d. often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)

e. often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities

f. often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)

g. often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)

h. is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli

i. is often forgetful in daily activities

If you look closely most of these symptoms are considered normal behavior for children. I know for most children growing up, if I had the choice of doing homework or playing, I would opt to play. The DSM-IV-TR does not explain how persistent each symptom should be every day in regard to what is considered the norm, and what is not.

Most children with ADHD have also been diagnosed with other learning disabilities and or personality disorders. In most cases with learning disabilities, there is a difficulty with a certain subject (math, reading, science, history.) About 1/3 to Ð... of children with ADHD have also been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. About 30 to 50 percent of all ADHD children have been diagnosed or will be diagnosed with Conduct Disorder (serious pattern of Anti-social disorder.) Anxiety and Depression affect 20 to 25 percent of all children with ADHD.

If there are so many other disorders that affect a child, how do we know that it isn't the ADHD that is being caused by another disorder? The answer is we don't. We are so quick to jump on the drug band wagon that we forget to consider the whole picture. As soon as a psychologist detects ADHD, most are quick to prescribe medication, rather than treat with other more permanent solutions.

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