Medicating Children Is Not The Right Thing To Do

Medicating Children is not the Right Thing to do

There are many types of people who may have Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADD/ADHD, which is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADD is defined as learning disorder affecting children, adolescents, and some adults. Common symptoms of ADD are learning and behavioral difficulties as well as the typical problem of ADHD, hyperactivity. Males are more likely to have ADD with many other symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. People as far back as the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries believed ADD was not a medical problem; they believed the children were misbehaving. Some research has convinced many medical personnel to prescribe medication as the correct treatment for ADD, but evidence shows medication is not always the best solution.

Along with many other medical personnel, Dr. John Ratley is one physician who supports the use of medication as the easiest way to solve the problem of ADD/ADHD. Also, he believes that medication is the most accurate route. Dr. Ratley realizes the longer the medication works, the better off the patient is.

Dr. Theodore Mandelkorn, vice chairman of psychiatry at New York University, believes that ADD/ADHD is a reasonable brain disorder. His perspective is that medication should be a primary option. He believes at least 80% of the patients who take medication benefit greatly from the medication. Dr. Mandelkorn says, “ADHD is characterized by a prolonged history of inattention, impulsiveness, and variable amounts of hyperactivity,” and if one is on medication, he has better control of his actions, concentration, and task completion. He believes children on medication are able to deal with stress better, and they are more likely to have fewer outbursts at inappropriate times.

According to Dr. Harold Koplewicz, a child psychiatrist since the 1980s, if a person has a disorder, if he has a real illness, and if the illness is Attention Deficit Disorder, the only treatment known to be effective is medication. He states “there are other treatments that could help, in addition to the medication,” but claims “the first line of attack is medication, although the currently prescribed Ritalin, an amphetamine, can be addictive” (Tanner A6).

An article in the New York Times reported the Academy of Pediatrics’ first guidelines for treating Attention Deficit Disorder. The Academy suggested stimulant drugs might be the most effective treatment, but the behavioral techniques should also be used. To correct the ADD symptoms of a person’s short attention span, impulsive behavior, and troubled focus, all possibly occurring at home and/or school, many doctors believe that along with medication, those trying to help a person overcome ADD should provide behavioral therapy, including proper punishments. Parental figures and teachers should enforce guidelines, but also reward students for the completion of homework and other tasks.

Contrary to the beliefs that medication should be used, there is strong evidence showing medication is not the best route for helping the ADD person at all. Many medical personnel do not believe that medication should ever be used as a first treatment, much less as the only intervention. They believe behavioral therapy, family therapy, and other interventions should be used in treating ADD/ADHD.

The book No More Ritalin: Treating ADHD Without Drugs states that other treatments are safe and effective. To help direct ADD/ADHD people with vision and auditory/listening problems, one could provide unique kinds of therapy.

For children who are visual learners, vision therapy may be extremely helpful. The therapy, which is performed by optometrists, was popular many years ago. A constant problem of losing one’s place on a page frustrates the troubled reader and eventually causes him to abandon persistence at the task. No matter the benefits though, vision therapy does not seem to fit the medical model for ADD treatment either (Block 117).

Finally, there are the auditory learners, children who learn by listening. Since there is a difference in listening and hearing, there is a special therapy for them as well. Listening is a learned behavior. “Just as we must learn to make sense of what we see (vision), we must also learn to make sense of what we hear (listening)” (Block 118). A constant practice of repeating the material can help the auditory learner increase his thinking and learning skills. Dr. Mary Ann Block states, “there is rarely one single treatment that would cure everyone of everything. I believe it is important to calm down the nervous system with diet, and/or nutrient treatment before beginning auditory or visual therapy. The therapies will be more effective and easier to accomplish if these other steps are achieved first” (118).

Dr. Peter Breggin, psychiatrist and author of Talking Back to Ritalin, has spoken out about the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. He strongly opposes giving medication to children. “I believe that there is no scientific reason or justification for giving psychoactive agents to children.” He believes that many parents and teachers have lost track of what childhood is all about. These parents and teachers believe outspoken, highly active, and easily distracted children need to be medicated because these actions challenge the adults in raising and teaching the children. These adults prefer the children to be quiet with little personality. The unchallenging students will make their jobs as parents and teachers easier. Dr. Breggin also states, “There are no miracle drugs. SpeedвЂ"these drugs are forms of speedвЂ"does not improve human life; it reduces life.” If a parent wants less of a child, then drugs are extremely effective.