is ritalin over priscribed for children with attention deficit disorder (ADD)?

Answer 1

I worked at a neuropsychological consulting firm (which included helping kids with ADD) for two years, and the best answer to this question is one that one of the doctors told me once: "Ritalin (or any attention medication) is both over and under prescribed in our society."

It is often over prescribed in more wealthy areas where parents are looking for a quick fix to kids who are overactive (but often times, just being kids). However, ADD, and therefore medication for the disorder is often under diagnosed in low income areas that do not have the same resources or access to medication. And I am not talking about different countries when I say low income, I am talking about the US. It is a really unfortunate parody in our society that we are giving medication to kids who don't need it, while at the same time neglecting other kids who don't have the same advantages.

However, there are very good tests for ADD and attention disorder, so if doctors were more careful and given the right tools, then we could be much better about over-prescribing the drug for kids who do not need it, where it may do more harm than good.

Answer 2

In my opinion it is. What used to be called ambitious children is now called ADD. When a teacher or parent does not want to deal with a child that is busy, they label them ADD and request that they be put on Ritalin. Most of the kids are so doped up in the classes they sit there like they are stoned. Every person has a different level of energy. If we would learn to use the energy wisely we would not have to drug the children. Some parents and teachers just don't want to have to deal with a child that has a high level of energy. I think that is terrible the drugs that we are pumping into our children because we want them to sit still and be quiet. I am sure that I would be labeled ADD if I was going to school now. Back when I attended school I was considered an ambitious and competitive child. What is so wrong with that?

Answer 3

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RE:
is ritalin over priscribed for children with attention deficit disorder (ADD)?

Answer 4

Is Ritalin Over Prescribed

Answer 5

I think so. I think many parents, schooboards, physicians have forgotten that there are children who are active it's their nature and because classrooms are crowded , parents are busy and stressed out , they want kids to be quiet and sit there and do their work.

Statistically only about 10 per cent of any class should have some kind of generalized learning disabled kids there, there seems to be from what I hear almost 50 per cent of kids being labled as add or adhd when there are probably other factors like allergies or just plain nature that are at fault.

However then there are the real cases of add and adhd that go undiagnosed because of social promotion and the kid is a nice kid so let's move him/her on.

Not sure which is causing more harm.

Answer 6

It's a really difficult situation. Most parents and teachers do not have adequate training, knowledge, time and energy to deal with children with ADHD. They turn to the doctor who thus suggests ritalin as a way to try and improve the situation. I deal with children-teens with ADHD and my own son has ADHD. I do not believe Ritalin is a solution at all and people have a misconception that it is a 'cure'. However, as my son is about to enter Primary school, I worry about how the teachers, school and classmates will take to him. If I had it my way, I wish parents and teachers have adequate training and information on how best to help children with ADHD.

Answer 7

The pressures placed on the health system (worldwide) have meant that professionals are actually mis-diagnosing ADD in young children. Studies have shown that children with So called ADD have been put onto a special diet (which makes me laugh because its basically the diet that everyone should have therefore not 'special') The studies have shown that children who have no additives or e numbers in any of their food the ADD was a mis-diagnosis. The population today truly do not understand the full impact that junk food/pre packeage food have on our bodies and society in general. There additives, food colourings and e numbers in food that don't need to be there. We don't need food to look good (colourings). Doctors are more aware of the impact of food in childrens lives and are now recommending that they see dietitian/nutritionist for the children/parents to have a better understanding of the food that we put into our mouths.

That is not to say that children who truly have ADD don't need to be on certain drugs but I think the dose could be monitor better and that the children are automatically sent to the dietitian for follow up therapy.

Answer 8

My daughter has my 10 yr old grandson on it, she is convinced that its helping him in school? But I know my grandson and he does look drugged when he takes this pill, he loses his appetite, he looks nervous, I just know my grandson, Ive been taking care of him since he was 1. I think he'd rather not take it but she has him convinced that he needs it to behave and I fear more damage is being done to him for the expediency for my daughter and my grandsons teacher.

Answer 9

yes. my friend took it for a time because he was diagnosed to have Attention Deficit Disoorder. I think this drug helped him focus... But please make sure that if you take this drug, it should be prescribed by your doctor. it may have bad effects on you. Some people abuse the use of this drug...