I have noticed that in my time as a teacher/educator that the rise of disorders to explain the childhood attention problems that afflict some students. I recall hearing about ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) at a meeting one day regarding the academic progress of a student. The initial response of many to these form of diagnoses is probably less than credulous, but the growth of the numbers of teens affected have since removed much of the disbelief. But the rise in numbers does bring into question the accuracy of diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies and I have seen the vacant expression associated with the misdiagnosis or during a period when trying to get the dosage right, and it is almost like watching the personality disappear in front of your very eyes!
According to the CDC (Centre for Disease Control) in America, "11% of four- to 17-year-olds in the US have been diagnosed with ADHD, a label for those who are disruptive in class and unable to concentrate; just over 6% are taking medication". This seems to be a very worrying trend in our youth, with such high numbers diagnosed and the resultant use of pharmaceuticals by our teens. It is important to note that the drugs used (e.g. Ritalin) are related to cocaine, and there are number of side effects associated overuse of Ritalin including increased heart rate & blood pressure, anxiety, agitation, nausea, hallucinations and confusion.
It seems that ADHD can often be accompanied by other problems including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and Tourette syndrome, and I would think that the push to succeed and the self-promotion that is an integral part of the life of most students and teens must make the problem greater. So is it a positive to have a child with ADHD take on a life of drug taking all so that he or she has a greater chance of attaining goals that are largely imposed by society?
The treatment of ADHD seems to vary considerably, with most advocating a combination of chemical (drug) and behavioural therapies. However, figures from the US CDC (Center for Disease Control) seem to suggest that many, in particular the teens and older, are largely treated using chemical means. The graph clearly shows that the sole adoption of behavioural therapies quickly decrease in the pre-teen years when a greater emphasis is placed upon drugs such as Ritalin. However, there is also an increase in the use of a combined approach that seems to remain more of less steady during the teen years.
Even more worrying is the use, and dare I say abuse, of these drugs by "normal" students. It now appears that Ritalin has become incorporated in the recreational college scene as a drug for study. The Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland noted that the misuse of Ritalin is becoming more widespread, and that sales of Ritalin increased 500% in the last decade of the 20th century! A surprisingly large increase considering the number of diagnosed cases. The risky behaviour involved is largely an attempt to compensate for last minute study binges that students are known for, in response to the obvious pressures to succeed. Not only do the students want to achieve at a high level, but they also want the engage in all of the social activities available! So the overuse must lie in the misuse of the drug, with the inherent problems associated with addiction. It also appears that the long term effects of Ritalin are largely unknown and not fully researched and documented.
Now I really wonder if we are doing the right thing? The whole idea of medicating children, and especially teens, to suppress their activity level is not something that we should be proud of. As I stated above, staring into the vacant eyes of a student on Ritalin (or similar) is not the answer. The student was not in any real state to be involved in active or even passive learning, and far too often this occurs as an attempt is made to get the dosage right. Initially I thought that the ADD and ADHD label was being used to as an excuse for parenting skills. But with the increased rate of incidence and diagnosis being recorded, one has to wonder about the real causes. We also need to consider the effects on future generation if the incidence continues to rise - particularly as it is much more likely to occur in boys than girls (I recall a figure of about 3:1 more prevalent in boys than in girls). With the accompanying ailments and mental problems, this is truly a very worrying trend, and it makes me wonder why there is not a huge groundswell to find an alternative way of treating it, and even finding the root cause.
For more information about ADHD I suggest you visit the National Institute for Mental Health site or the Kids Health site, as both provide a good introduction.
It seems that ADHD can often be accompanied by other problems including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and Tourette syndrome, and I would think that the push to succeed and the self-promotion that is an integral part of the life of most students and teens must make the problem greater. So is it a positive to have a child with ADHD take on a life of drug taking all so that he or she has a greater chance of attaining goals that are largely imposed by society?
Now I really wonder if we are doing the right thing? The whole idea of medicating children, and especially teens, to suppress their activity level is not something that we should be proud of. As I stated above, staring into the vacant eyes of a student on Ritalin (or similar) is not the answer. The student was not in any real state to be involved in active or even passive learning, and far too often this occurs as an attempt is made to get the dosage right. Initially I thought that the ADD and ADHD label was being used to as an excuse for parenting skills. But with the increased rate of incidence and diagnosis being recorded, one has to wonder about the real causes. We also need to consider the effects on future generation if the incidence continues to rise - particularly as it is much more likely to occur in boys than girls (I recall a figure of about 3:1 more prevalent in boys than in girls). With the accompanying ailments and mental problems, this is truly a very worrying trend, and it makes me wonder why there is not a huge groundswell to find an alternative way of treating it, and even finding the root cause.
For more information about ADHD I suggest you visit the National Institute for Mental Health site or the Kids Health site, as both provide a good introduction.
Further Reading
Generation meds: the US children who grow up on prescription meds - http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/21/children-who-grow-up-on-prescription-drugs-us?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
National Institute for Mental Health: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml
Kids Health: What is ADHD? - http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/learning/adhd.html#
Generation meds: the US children who grow up on prescription meds - http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/21/children-who-grow-up-on-prescription-drugs-us?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
National Institute for Mental Health: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml
Kids Health: What is ADHD? - http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/learning/adhd.html#
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