Our culture is truly “pill happy,” meaning that everything and anything can be fixed with the pop of a pill. While medications can truly be lifesaving to the elderly, diseased or extremely sick, the new “pill generation” is spreading to the youth of our nation. According to a study completed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of every 5 children reported using at least one prescription drug. Many health care professionals and researchers are beginning to question if children truly need to be medicated at such a young age, and are they being misdiagnosed? Unfortunately the misdiagnoses of mental disorders such as ADHD in children are more common than we would like to believe.
Approximately 11 percent of all children in the United States have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, making ADHD the most common disorder that children are being diagnosed with [1]. This leads to a rising concern that not all children are being properly diagnosed and in some cases may be misdiagnosed. Signs of ADHD are inattentiveness or being extremely overactive and a slower developmental level in certain areas of their lives. The diagnosis of ADHD is purely based on the child’s behavior as there are no objective tests to base the condition on.
Many children based on this point may be less mature than other students, or may need different behavioral parenting training. [2] Not all children who have been diagnosed with ADHD have it to the extent of needing the medication used to treat it; however, their parents are still advised by doctors to continue their medication.
A leading factor in diagnosing ADHD in children is inattentiveness. However, even though inattention is one of the key indicators of ADHD, there are many reasons why a child could become distracted in school. Children, especially in elementary and middle school, have many developmental changes occurring. A child’s inattentiveness could be caused by emotional issues, grieving over a death in the family, or being picked on by their peers, all causing them to seem distracted throughout the school day. They may also display certain behaviors outside of school that teachers typically do not get to witness.
If a child is misdiagnosed with ADHD, it is still possible that they have another form of a behavioral issue going on. According to childmind.org, other possibilities of these disorders separate from ADHD can include: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or a Learning Disorder.
As well as ADHD medication there is currently a growing trend of children being assigned antipsychotic drugs. According to RT.com, psychiatrists prescribe antipsychotic drugs to children in one third of all visits. While many of these antipsychotic drugs are not intended to treat troublesome behaviors and ADHD, it does not stop doctors from prescribing them to child patients. Alongside the negative physical side effects, repetitious pill use can leave a strong emotional impact on a child’s mind. As a teen, they may begin to struggle with substance use to continue self medicating. In some cases the child will grow up to have worse behavioral issues than when they were younger.
As with many of the mood disorders, we may find that using medications, especially on the very young, may cause long term harm that we do not currently foresee. We must ask ourselves, what is the goal of medicating these children; to make life easier for them or for the people around them? Do we truly want an entire generation of people to look to a pill each time they feel out of control of their feelings or actions? What about the long term effects of the diagnosis itself? Certainly telling young children that there is something wrong with their brain can put them at a distinct disadvantage in life. Too much has yet to be discovered about ADHD and the long term effects of medicating children; and there is no doubt that there is a significant over-diagnosis within certain areas in this country that must be addressed.
Sources:
[1] http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/06/adhd-over-diagnosed-in-youngest-kids-in-class/
[2] http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2013/04/29/overdiagnosis-of-adhd-must-be-prevented
Melissa currently writes for Saint Jude Retreats, a non-treatment alternative to traditional alcohol and drug rehab. As well as writing for St. Jude’s, Melissa also enjoys writing about topics that include health and relationships.
Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade says
September 18, 2013 at 4:38 pmHaving worked in the school system, I think a lot of teachers and parents ask for ADHD medication instead of learning to discipline and make their kids behave.
I agree, kids take far too many drugs, prescription or otherwise.
sarah clegg says
September 18, 2013 at 5:14 pmi only use medication if and where its needed. my doctor suggested getting medication for my son who has autism to help settle and calm him. but tbh unless i feel we literally have no choice im doing my best not to go down route but rather put into place regular routines and proper discipline(dont get me wrong were not really strict just fair) with 5 kids routines and knowing when not to cross the line is a must for us. xx
Casey says
September 18, 2013 at 5:27 pmI completely agree with Dawn’s sentiments above. As a teacher, I have also seen parents ask for drugs before they have tried to seek advice from professionals about how to help their children. I’m not saying that there is never a situation when a child needs medications, but I think every parent should try to do anything they can before resorting to medication. There are so many counseling techniques and natural remedies that can help kids.
Healy Harpster says
September 18, 2013 at 6:39 pmI knew a friend with a son that was diagnosed with ADHD, he’s taking med. He seems normal to me,hope his doctor didn’t misdiagnosed him.
Brandy says
September 18, 2013 at 8:04 pmWhile there are situations where medication can drastically help the quality of a child’s life and I in no way want to discount the neurobiological component of these issues, there are several factors that I think contribute to misdiagnosis and so many kids needing to be medicated in order to function.
1. Diet-some kids eat way too much sugar and simple carbs, these have a big effect on neurotransmitters, especially for some kids
2. Lack of physical activity, again affects neurotransmitters such as endorphins, also breakdown of sugars. Most young kids anymore don’t even get the breaks in school that would be required for adults in labor laws, physical education is minimal, as is walking to school and after school outdoor play
3. Developmentally innappropriate schools-many kids aren’t ready for the academic workload like homework and spelling tests in kindergarten
4. Lack of mental health parity in health coverage. Meds are often prescribed after a ten minute visit to the pediatrician. Many families don’t have adequate coverage for comprehensive evaluation and behavioral therapy that might prevent need for medication or lessen it
5. Overly permissive discipline and lack of structure and boundaries
6. Too much electronic stimulation, again effects brain chemistry.
Le-an Lacaba says
September 19, 2013 at 5:14 amI don’t know anyone with ADHD, but i do agree on what you said about the pill generation. with kids getting sick every other week, it’s no wonder.
Myrah - Coupon Mamacita says
September 19, 2013 at 5:42 amI totally don’t agree with medicating our kids that suffer from ADHD. Before this condition didn’t exist, it was just kids behaving bad and it was taken care of by grounding them.
Dov Shapira says
September 19, 2013 at 7:01 amWhat a cool article, Medicating our kids like that is so wrong.
Shasta Walton says
September 19, 2013 at 7:22 amGreat post! I agree that often times medication is the first answer when there could be other issues. Thankfully our doctors have been great at helping us work with our son to find alternate ways to help him focus.
Michelle H says
September 19, 2013 at 7:45 amSuch good information. I am always extremely leery about giving my kids medications for anything, and I would especially be cautious to give them something that’s going to alter their natural tendencies and behaviors. Having said that, though, I have worked with a few children who were medicated and had remarkable change and improvement. It definitely needs to be on an educated case-by-case basis.
Terry (My Journey With Candida) says
September 19, 2013 at 7:46 amDon’t even get me started on ADHD. I can’t even talk about it without getting in one of those moods where I think of a girl I knew who used that for a reason to be NASTY….
Tess says
September 19, 2013 at 8:01 amDont get me started either. It seems to be the quick fix. I wish they would try natural ways first like changing diets.
HilLesha says
September 19, 2013 at 8:04 amI can greatly understand where you’re coming from. Much as I hated to put my son on medicine, his school basically told me he can attend their school as long as he was medication for his ADHD. I have ADHD myself, but I haven’t been on medication for it since as a child. I think it caused me a lot of problems back then.
My son does fantastic at school, but the medicine has dramatically changed his personality. He went from a very, very sweet boy to someone who has explosive temper tantrums over the pettiest things. Thankfully, he doesn’t do that at school, though. Personally, I believe in alternative medicine, so I’m still actively looking for alternatives.
Rosey says
September 19, 2013 at 8:27 amI worked in a K-8 charter school the first year I moved to Michigan. It was basically a school for students who’d been kicked out of other schools, and the medicine running through the office was RIDICULOUS! It was like a pharmacy in there. I know there are instances where medicine is needed and it helps, but other times (in certain situations), I wonder if it’s really something that is necessary.
Pam says
September 19, 2013 at 9:08 amMy son has been diagnosed with ADD, not the hyperactive type, just the can’t concentrate. Later, we found out he actually had learning disabilities, including a vision and auditory disorder. We spent a lot of money on therapy and it has helped so much. As a former teacher, I agree a lot of parents say it is ADD/ADHD when it is just an excuse for them not to discipline, but sometimes it is a real disorder.
Nicole A. says
September 19, 2013 at 10:47 amOur daughter is only 2 but still, we don’t give her anything.
Growing Up Madison says
September 19, 2013 at 10:59 amFunny but it was the school that suggested that my son be medicated when he was only 5 years old. I was the one who said a resounding NO. He’s now 12 and quite normal. I don’t believe in medicating children unless it’s absolutely necessary and they’re a danger to themselves. Half of the problems can be handled with therapy and love I’m sure.
Sarah Bailey says
September 19, 2013 at 12:02 pmIt’s a scary thought really at 14 I was put onto anti-depressants by the time I was 16 I was a huge dose of both that and an anti psychotic – I don’t think I will ever be able to come off the anti psychotic not due to always needing them but the effect it has on my body when I try. x
Elle Bee says
September 19, 2013 at 12:47 pmI think we totally overmedicate and misdiagnose our children and ourselves. I absolutely believe that there are some children and teenagers who NEED the medicine, whether its an anti-depressant or anti-psychotic. But many are getting medicated for situational depression or bipolar disorder, when counseling and interaction is all they need. The same thing with children who are diagnosed ADHD/ADD, its easier to have them pop a pill, rather than interact with them socially and mentally to help them grow into production.
Kristen @ kristenione says
September 19, 2013 at 1:43 pmI have known so many kids to be diagnosed with ADHD and it does seem like the quick fix to just give them some drugs to try and help the problem. I just can’t believe that there can be so many cases of something now in recent years. Why wasn’t this such a huge problem in years past? Or was it and I just don’t know?
Melanie says
September 19, 2013 at 5:29 pmOh don’t even get me started on this. I really get into it. Yeah I think we over medicate the WORLD. Not just kids. This is just a growing problem and everyone wants a quick fix without even putting time and effort into things or issues. Doctors are quick to hand out pills, more and more people are quick to take them. 🙁
Chavonne H says
September 19, 2013 at 5:55 pmI think it’s terrible to give kids medication for attention disorders, I mean what kid doesn’t have an attention disorder, I assumed they all do depending on what situation they are in, like if they are bored, they will bounce around like crazy. I mean I’m not a doctor but it just seems like kids will be kids.
Brandy says
September 19, 2013 at 6:34 pmThere are a lot more kids diagnosed today than in the past. I don’t know if that means that a lot more kids actually have it or it is being recognized more or it’s that the environment is more sit down and there are fewer opportunities for different kinds of learners. Steve Jobs probably would have been diagnosed with something if he was a kid today. I wonder how that would have affected what he was to do in life.
Melinda Dunne says
September 19, 2013 at 8:05 pmI do think the children are being over medicated. I personally think before you medicate you should try other options like a change in diet etc. It seem every kid has something “wrong” with them nowadays-it drives me crazy.
Robyn says
September 19, 2013 at 8:44 pmI do think we are overmedicating our kids. This is something that has concerned me since a teenager. I did a whole essay and public speech on the issue.
Jeanne says
September 20, 2013 at 3:59 amYes, I think we are. I have had experience with many children due to being a director of a day care and know how children react in different circumstances. There are other alternatives besides medication to help a child cope.
Noor Unnahar says
September 20, 2013 at 4:45 amI don’t think medicating over EVERYTHING is right . Every thing has got side effects so do the medicines . I am glad people are pointing it out at last.
Brandy says
September 22, 2013 at 2:09 pmI even have to wonder sometimes if kids are getting too many vaccines. The amount given these days and often at onetime is huge
patrick voo says
December 24, 2013 at 8:49 ami’m a real advocate of chiropractic for children and adults – a non-invasive, non-toxic means of restoring the body’s ability to heal itself!