Jessica Soles1

Jessica Soles
Eng 1201
Prof. Hughes
03/20/2019
ADHD Medication

Children tend to be extremely active and at times excessively impulsive, so when does it

become worrisome to the point of seeking a doctor's help? It’s never easy finding out that your

child has a disorder that’s causing them to behave a certain way. A chemical imbalance in the

brain makes them lack self-control and focus, this disorder is called ADHD (Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder). Millions of children and adults suffer from this disorder. Speculation

over ADHD being a real disorder, or just a child with bad behavior has been a debate amongst

doctors and parents for years. Many children and adults are being misdiagnosed, and untreated

resulting in treatments and medications being questioned. Therefore, is using medication worth

the risks?

I was a parent who didn’t believe in ADHD until 3 out of 4 of my children were

diagnosed with it. I was against medicating my children for fear of what the medications would

do. When researching the side effects and the changes one goes through on these medications, it

becomes something no one would want to put their child through. For me, it all started with my

now 14-year-old son Javon. He was diagnosed with ADHD in 2013. I began to receive phone

calls on a regular basis from his school stating that he was extremely hyper and couldn’t stay

focused during class. I refused to believe that my son had this disorder even though I was having

problems with him at home. I just thought that he was acting out due to his father and I getting a

divorce. Towards the end of his third-grade year, I realized I had made a mistake in not having
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him tested. He was held back due to his low-test scores and overall grades, along with being

suspended for bad behavior. I took him to the doctor to get some answers, and for him to be

diagnosed with ADHD I had to fill out a points survey of his behavior at home and at school.

The survey asked a series of questions about behavior, school work, relationships with others,

and feelings the child may be having. If your child had a certain amount of points accumulated,

they were diagnosed with ADHD. Although my son does have ADHD, I believe this process

wasn’t enough to determine his diagnosis. Since day one of his diagnosis, finding the right

medication has been a problem. After the first few weeks of him being on his medication, I asked

him how he felt about it?

He responded “I hate it because it makes my stomach hurt, and even when I’m hungry I

can’t eat. In school, I don’t talk to my friends. I feel like I can’t be myself when I’m on my

medication, I’m either mad at everybody or sad for no reason.”

I understood him completely, however, school work comes before talking to friends. I

would feed him before taking the pill which helped with the stomach aches, and he can eat after

school when the pill wears off. Those are the things I told myself so that I didn’t feel guilty for

making him take his medicine. I was at a loss as to how to handle the situation because he’s

failing school, getting in trouble with the teachers, and doing things that would cause him to get

into trouble all the time. Listening was not something he cared for no matter how many times he

got in trouble. I then made the decision to change his medication, hoping that he could feel more

like himself. Changing medications and sometimes physicians can be very frustrating and hard

when all you want is results that will help. My son is not the only one who has gone through this

medication and doctor change. Many children and adults in the world are experiencing the same

thing.
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In the United States alone 6.1 million children from 2-17 years of age have been

diagnosed with ADHD in 2016. ("Data and Statistics About ADHD | CDC") Among those

diagnosed with ADHD, other problems have been known to accompany this disorder. Problems

such as; anxiety, and depression. The problem many parents are facing is trusting the doctor's

diagnosis, along with the medications that are given for this disorder. The symptoms that show in

children with ADHD are; hyperactivity, lack of focus, behavior issues, fidgeting, and

forgetfulness. How doctors determine whether a child has ADHD is a slippery slope, because

many believe that ADHD is just another way to help the pharmaceutical companies make

money. For example, $143 billion dollars to $266 billion dollars have been spent on healthcare

costs from families alone on doctor visits and prescriptions. (Mason, 2018) This is where the

problems with treatment stem from.

Among the parents who don’t believe in ADHD, there are doctors as well who say that

the bad behavior many associate with ADHD comes from a problem in the home. Children who

experience emotional abuse in the home tend to act out and show signs of having a disorder like

ADHD. However, this does not mean they have ADHD and that medication is the only way to

go. Occupational or behavior therapy can help with breaking down the problems a child finds

themselves having, even things like having little or no motivation to do even the simplest things

including paying attention in school. Giving children drugs to make them “normal” is confusing

to the child, making them feel like they’re not good enough the way they are. (Berezin 2015)

Ignoring the signs of ADHD for fear of being judged, or through misinformation could cause

emotional damage, social problems, and drug use as they grow into adulthood.

Just like all prescription drugs, ADHD medications come with risks. Those risks are

different for each person because no two bodies are the same. The FDA once issued a statement
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regarding ADHD medication could be the cause of cardiac and psychiatric problems, however,

no evidence has been brought forth to confirm this statement. This is one of the many reasons

parents and some doctors are apprehensive about prescribing certain medications. Although,

cardiac risks are dangerous, it doesn’t outweigh the good that ADHD medication can do for

those with the disorder. The FDA does a survey called the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

(MEPS) and this survey calculates how many children and adults fill prescriptions throughout

the year and what kind. The risks involved with ADHD medication isn't always listed on the

pamphlet or on the bottle because it wasn’t' forced to be applied. (Colleen L. Barry)

Methylphenidate and Amphetamine are the two types of stimulant medication associated

with ADHD. “Stimulant medications target a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) called dopamine,

which plays a key role in motivation. It also helps to control movement and emotional

responses”. (Understood Team) Methylphenidate is the most commonly used medication

prescribed to school age children. This medication comes in many forms such as; a pill,

chewable tablet, patch, and lotion (very rare). Each type has a certain release time, some are

long lasting (up to 8hrs) while others are short acting (3 to 4 hrs.). This all depends on the

weight, and age of the child, along with the severity of the child’s hyperactivity. Amphetamine is

a central nervous stimulant. It’s use results in an increase in certain types of brain activity,

resulting in a feeling of higher energy, focus, confidence, and in a dose-dependent manner, can

elicit a rewarding euphoria. ("What's An Amphetamine? Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, And

Treatment") The common side effects of these medications are, weight loss, depression, loss of

appetite, mood changes, rashes, and in some cases anxiety. Like all medications, risks come with

the territory. The most dangerous risks associated with these medications are addiction.
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This disorder is not just an illness that medicine can cure or take away. There are many

challenges that come with having ADHD. Families suffer the most, including the one who is

diagnosed with this disorder. A child who cannot sit still, focus, behave, respect authority, or

control impulses tend to put a strain on the parents and in some cases siblings. A child who is

untreated can start to feel alone and depressed when they feel like they’re always getting in

trouble, and not being understood. Treatment doesn’t always mean taking pills, it could be

changing diet, tutoring for help with school, and therapy. ("Alternative Treatments for Attention

Deficit Disorder”)

In the extreme cases of ADHD, medication is necessary, but going through so many

different medications can be scary. I’ve learned within my own experience of medicating my

children that the wrong medication can make a huge difference in personality. The term “Zombie

syndrome” is what happens to them when taking a certain pill. The child tends to isolate

themselves from others, having nonverbal communication, depression, and mood swings. So

how does a parent decide what to do when their child is going through all these changes? It

makes you wonder if medication is even worth it.

Children with ADHD who go untreated are more likely to use drugs, this is called self-

medicating which makes up for the chemical imbalance in their brains. Along with having

emotional, social and education problems, that follow them into adulthood. These problems can

have lasting effects, and ultimately ruin lives if untreated. (Watchel 2019) Going untreated could

lead to problems in the future, dealing with a job, college, marriage, and even children of their

own. This is not a disorder that will go away just by realizing they have it. Finding all the

information out before putting your child on medicine is important for everyone involved.
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A video I recently watched was of Jessica McCabe and her story of living with ADHD.

She talks about her childhood, her struggles, her success, and her failings at being normal. (TED

2017) I believe this video shows that even though you may have ADHD, your life is still yours to

live. Taking medications or not is a choice that must be made based on your will power, along

with your determination to not be a statistic. This disorder is very real and even though some

may be misdiagnosed, those who have ADHD can still lead normal lives.

There are many disadvantages to taking ADHD medications, just like anyone who must

take a prescription drug. They all have side effects, but isn’t the outcome a greater risk to take?

The misdiagnosed need a reevaluation along with therapy to determine the cause of their issues.

The people dealing with ADHD have a harder time coping with the fact that something is wrong.

Ignoring the truth about this disorder can lead to a life of confusion and making impulsive

decisions. Ask yourself, should there be better ways to determine if someone has ADHD versus a

parent filling out a piece of paper, with a bunch of questions about behavior? Doctors giving out

medication based on information dealing with behavior, even though it goes deeper than their

behavior. It’s hard to find the right kind of help in a situation because many people think ADHD

is not real.
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Fig. 1. This image shows how children with ADHD find it hard to stay focused in class.
Attentional capacity isn’t something one can possess in full. (Christakis)

There are advantages to using the medication, if it’s the right dosage and correct

stimulant. The correct medication can minimize impulsive negative behavior, along with having

a better relationship with parents, siblings, teachers and friends. Being able to focus in school or

work can go a long way to building self-esteem, and brain function. “Children with ADHD can

be highly creative and can spend a long-time doing activities they love,” Australia’s Raising

Children Network states. “Some children might enjoy using their energy on sports or dancing.

They might also be more open to trying new things than other children. Finding positive ways

for your child to use her energy can be good for their self-esteem and help protect them against

mental health problems.” (Briggs) Playing video games stimulates the brain and a person with

ADHD finds this to be extremely enjoyable. Caffeine is known to make a child hyper, however,

in someone who is diagnosed with ADHD, it can slow their brain down making them less hyper.

There are a lot of myths when discussing ADHD, and that is one of them.

Alternatives to taking medication are common among those who think medication is

dangerous and unhealthy. Changing your diet by taking away or reducing sugars, and red dye
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#40 can drastically lessen the effects of ADHD. There is no real scientific proof done on dieting

and ADHD, but parents have sworn by this and say that it has helped their child. Living with

ADHD can be a hard thing for a child; however, it can also teach them how to overcome

adversity. Whether you are taking medication, changing diet, or trying to get through this

disorder without any assistance, you can’t ignore the symptoms. Getting help is the first step and

finding out all the information before deciding about medication.

In conclusion, taking medications is the most beneficial way to live with and manage

ADHD. Of course, there are risks to taking medication, but when you think about all the risks of

not taking the medication it’s worse. Taking medication doesn’t mean a person with ADHD will

always have it, growing out of it is a possibility. Being on medication can go a long way when

wanting to be academically functional, less impulsive, an able to slow things down to process the

world around them. It’s all about being able to function and make it through obstacles such as

school and work. Finding the right medication that doesn’t take away appetite, energy, and

personality will be hard, but worth it when dealing with school, peers, and family members.

Doing research before doctor visits’ helps individuals who may be confused about it. Knowledge

of ADHD is important and should be taken seriously.

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Works Cited

"Alternative Treatments For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder". Pubmed Central (PMC),

2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2792653/. Accessed 23 Mar 2019.

Berezin, Robert. "No, There Is No Such Thing As ADHD". Psychology Today, 2015,

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-theater-the-brain/201503/no-there-is-no-

such-thing-ADHD. Accessed 1 Mar 2019.

Briggs, Saga. "5 Cognitive Advantages Of People With ADHD | Informed". Informed, 2019,

https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/5-cognitive-advantages-people-

adhd/. Accessed 4 Apr 2019.

Busch, Susan et al. "ADHD Medication Use Following FDA Risk Warnings". Pubmed Central

(PMC), 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3896970/. Accessed 1

Mar 2019.

Christakis, Dimitri. "The Diagnosis Does A Disservice To Children - Nytimes.Com".

Nytimes.Com, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/02/01/is-the-adhd-

diagnosis-helping-or-hurting-kids/the-diagnosis-does-a-disservice-to-children. Accessed

5 Apr 2019.

Colleen L. Barry, Susan H. Busch. "ADHD Medication Use Following FDA Risk Warnings".

Pubmed Central (PMC), 2019,

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3896970/.

"Data And Statistics About ADHD | CDC". Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, 2019,

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ADHD/data.html. Accessed 22 Mar 2019.

Kao, Bertha. "Ask An Expert: Active Or ADHD – What's The Difference? | Providence Oregon".
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Oregon.Providence.Org, 2019, https://oregon.providence.org/forms-and-information/a/ask-an-

expert-active-or-ADHD-whats-the-difference/. Accessed 22 Mar 2019.

Manos, Michael et al. "ADHD: Overdiagnosed And Overtreated, Or Misdiagnosed And

Mistreated?". Consult QD, 2018, https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/ADHD-

overdiagnosed-and-overtreated-or-misdiagnosed-and-mistreated/. Accessed 29 Feb 2019.

Team, Understood. "Types Of ADHD Medications". Understood.Org, 2019,

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/treatments-

approaches/medications/types-of-adhd-medications. Accessed 2 Apr 2019.

TED Talk. Failing At Normal: An ADHD Success Story. 2017,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiwZQNYlGQI. Accessed 3 Mar 2019.