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Controversy over ADHD

Disease Drugs
By: Mike G. Figueroa De Jess
Dr. Encarnacin

Introduction
The diagnosis of ADHD has generated controversy surrounding

the disease. In 1987, attention deficit disorder and


hyperactivity disorder was brought into existence by the
American Psychiatric Association. As a result, most children

who are diagnosed with this disorder are treated with drugs
that can harm them; physically and emotionally.

State of a Problem
It has been proven that sixty-three common conditions can

cause behavior similar to ADHD. For this reason, it is easy to


make the wrong diagnosis. Also, psychiatrist have never
validated this disease as a biological entity. They have never

shown even the slightest chemical imbalance or that this is a true


brain disease.

Research Question
What effects do drugs used to treat ADHD can
cause to children, and is it possible to prove that
ADHD is a real disease?

ADHD Drugs

Effects of Drugs
For many children, ADHD medications reduce hyperactivity
and impulsivity and improve the ability to concentrate, work
and learn. The medications may also improve physical
coordination. However, stimulants can increase brain
dopamine in a rapid and highly amplified manner,disrupting
normal communication between brain cells, producing
euphoria, and increasing the risk of addiction. Stimulants have
been abused for both "performance enhancement". In the first
case, suppress appetite (to facilitate weight loss), increased
wakefulness, and increase focus and attention. Should keep in
mind the complications of this method of use that can lead to
side-effect and long-term harmful effects.

Side-Effects of Drugs
The most commonly reported side effects are loss of appetite,
sleep problems, anxiety, and irritability. Some children also

reported stomach aches or mild headaches. Of the possible


long-term effects that parents worry about are: the possibility
of stunted or slowed growth (due to proven loss of appetite
and weight loss on stimulants), late onset of puberty, that
casual exposure to drugs could lead to later casual illegal
drug use and neurological interaction including death. This
leads us to think that these drugs are not safe and harmless,

and to offset these significant Risks, there is absolutely NO


long-term study that demonstrates positive effects of these
drugs on learning, academic standards, or social behavior.

Stimulant medication used on


ADHD

Evident Data
After years of persistence, Dr. Baughman finally
managed to make these groups recognize that
there is NO objective validation for ADHD. Today,
the National Institute of Health states, "We have no
independent and valid test for ADHD, and there are
no data to indicate that ADHD is due to brain

dysfunction."

Thesis Statement
Since psychiatrists have not been able to prove that
ADHD is a real brain disease, children should not be
given this type of medication. Doctors should search for
another way to help correct the behaviors that are
considered to be provoked by this disease.

Data Collection
My data collection is based on internet searches,
books, also including the library of the Universidad
del Turabo.

Conclusion
Certainly there are children who misbehave at school and at home.
Some children may never learn to control. There are others who are

exceptionally hyperactive. But in the vast majority of cases, these


children do not need medication. Certainly need not be exposed to
the dangers of these drugs. Today, we are told constantly that we
protect our children from drug abuse. Yet there are some disturbing
exceptions to that rule. Thomas Szasz put it well when he said, "to
label a child as mentally ill is stigmatization, not diagnosis. Giving a
child a psychiatric drug is poison, not to treat. "So you should look for
other methods such as behavioral therapy, emotional counseling,
and practical support will help ADHD children cope with everyday
problems and feel better about themselves.

References

Reference
Taylor, M., O'Donoghue, T., & Houghton, S. (2006). To Medicate or Not to Medicate?:
The Decision-Making Process of Western Australian Parents Following Their
Child's Diagnosis with an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
International Journal of Disability, Development and Education.

Abikoff, H. B., Vitiello, B., Riddle, M. A., Cunningham, C., Greenhill, L. L., Swanson, J.
M., et al. (2007). Methylphenidate effects on functional outcomes in the
Preschoolers with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Treatment Study (PATS). Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 17(5),
581-592.

Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, M.A., Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Damon Ramsey,
MD. Last updated: May 2013.(By http://www.helpguide.org)

DSM-IV-TR workgroup. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,


Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric
Association.

Mick E, Biederman J, Faraone SV, Sayer J, Kleinman S. Case-control study of


attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and maternal smoking, alcohol use, and drug use
during pregnancy. Journal of the American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry, 2002 Apr; 41(4):378-385.

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