| The controversy of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity | | | | there is still a good bit of controversy surrounding the |
| Disorder or ADHD is loaded with implications in the field | | | | use of these drugs. According to the documents |
| of medicine. In the past, many children who were | | | | presented to the second evaluating panel, the |
| disruptive or loud were considered both difficult to | | | | consequence of psychiatric diseases being |
| discipline and undeserving of attention or they were | | | | deteriorated because of ADHD medication was |
| the products of parents who did not know how to | | | | exceptionally small; and that many of the |
| raise a child, and were pitied. Those children who were | | | | cardiovascular diseases, such as higher blood |
| unable to focus while in school were labeled as slow | | | | pressure, arose because of existing heart-related |
| learners and more often than not, looked down upon | | | | conditions in persons suffering from ADHD. |
| by others of the same age. | | | | Since these medications have proven to be safe so |
| Today, we have discussed that such behavior is often | | | | far, despite the risks, doctors and psychiatrists continue |
| diagnosed as symptoms of ADHD. ADHD children are | | | | to recommend ADHD medications. More than a good |
| generally forgetful, disruptive, impulsive, easily distracted | | | | number of other medications that have long been |
| and hyperactive. More adults are being diagnosed with | | | | approved and are currently being prescribed, in fact |
| ADHD, since this ever-present condition continues into | | | | there is a great deal of research and literature |
| adulthood, shown by the increasing volume of | | | | available concerning ADHD medications. ADHD |
| research conducted in the field of medicine. ADHD is a | | | | patients are regularly monitored closely, for safety |
| hereditary disorder, with nearly five percent of the | | | | while these medications are being administered. Some |
| cases being the result of a physical or chemical brain | | | | of these medications can stunt the growth pattern of |
| injury endured while in the womb. | | | | young ADHD children; therefore, they are measured |
| The diagnosis of ADHD breeds the controversy | | | | and weighed regularly, while taking their ADHD |
| surrounding the condition. Since some normal childhood, | | | | medications. |
| behavior that can get out of control because of poor | | | | Medication for ADHD may induce hallucinations; |
| upbringing, some psychologists and parents insist that | | | | consequently, some parents are concerned with |
| the behavioral patterns materialize as ADHD. As a | | | | addiction or long term effects in ADHD children. It is |
| result, they recommend that children, who have been | | | | true that stopping the medication can stop the |
| diagnosed with ADHD, not take medication, rather that | | | | hallucinations. However, it is appointed to the physician |
| they should be controlled and counseled. On the hand, | | | | to determine when medication should be discontinued, |
| regarding ADHD as a real disorder, it maintains that | | | | parents of ADHD children are cautioned concerning |
| medication be given and continued as it can temper | | | | the making up of their own procedures of changing the |
| the symptoms of the disorder. | | | | medication on their own. |
| Those who suffer from it have to take medication all | | | | Likewise, ADHD treatment does not end with ADHD |
| their lives, since there is no real means to treat ADHD | | | | medication. A course of therapy treatment such as |
| permanently. Arrangements such as this calls for | | | | behavior modification, counseling and special education |
| many questions, especially when concern with safety. | | | | goes hand in hand with the use of medication. You |
| There are different medications for ADHD, as you | | | | should consult with your doctor regularly on the |
| may know, and some of them were primarily used to | | | | medication options, treatments and obligations that are |
| treat narcolepsy by directing certain parts of the | | | | available if you or your children suffer with ADHD. You |
| nervous system. | | | | should be aware of the advantages and |
| As we discussed in the previous chapter such | | | | disadvantages as well as the side effects associated |
| medications, which include the popular Concerta and | | | | with the medication procedures and treatments by |
| Ritalin , can actually have dreadful side effects, such | | | | doing as much research as possible, into those that |
| as arrhythmia, or irregular heart rhythm, increased | | | | interest you. You cannot go wrong as long as you are |
| heart rate or severe palpitations, increased blood | | | | well informed about ADHD in children and adults. |
| pressure as well as increased risk of stroke. The | | | | Learning all that you can about ADHD and its |
| USFDA or United States Food and Drug | | | | symptoms as well as the things that might bring some |
| Administration, has studied the influence of ADHD | | | | benefits in easing the discomforts of such a disorder |
| drugs and have them stamped with a black box | | | | are long term, however ADHD can be eased for |
| warning. To be precise, such drugs are regulated and | | | | those who suffer from this condition as well as |
| can be prescribed, however strong caution must be | | | | providing a peace of mind for ADHD parents. Keep in |
| exercised when such drugs are taken. Another | | | | mind however, until there is a cure for ADHD, there will |
| advisory panel has evaluated evidence pointing to | | | | always be controversy surrounding the condition. |
| long-term psychiatric changes and cardiovascular risks | | | | *********************************************************** |
| in children who take ADHD medication, in addition to | | | | Gaetane Ross is a Certified Natural Health Consultant |
| the studies of the FDA. The panel found that such | | | | who has spentover 4 years focusing on Nutrition and |
| drugs might possibly increase the risk of hallucinations, | | | | Health. She also specializesin Alternative Medicine, |
| aggressive behavior, psychosis and mania in ADHD | | | | Spiritual Healing and Healthy Lifestyle. |
| children. | | | | Gaetane's mission is to positively transform the lives of |
| Even though psychiatric specialists caution people | | | | everyoneshe meets by providing advice on Healthy |
| about making literal interpretations of these findings, | | | | Living. |