Effects
The effects of misdiagnosis and overmedication in children are causing negative behaviors throughout their lives. A large number of children that are medicated for ADHD later abuse more serious drugs. In fact, in 2011, research conducted at the University of California- Los Angeles (UCLA) has shown that children that are medicated for ADHD are three times more likely to abuse illegal substances in the future ("Are Children Who Take Ritalin" par. 9). Substance abuse is more likely to occur in children that are given addictive medications for ADHD. Ritalin, a drug commonly used to medicate children for ADHD, has been to found to be addictive. Psychiatrist Nora Volkow claims that Ritalin is chemically similar to cocaine and can have the same effects on the body (Wiseman par. 10). These habit-forming drugs should not be given to young children because they are developing life-threatening addictions.
In addition to future drug abuse, the most threatening of the medications are the one’s being used the most often: antipsychotics. Research published by Issues and Controversies shows that antipsychotic drugs are too powerful and are not fully understood by medical professionals; therefore, they should not be prescribed to children until the long-term effects have been found (“Children and Antipsychotic Drugs” par. 2). Antipsychotics can do more harm than good when given to a brain that is still developing. The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry revealed, "It is well known that psychostimulants have abuse potential..." (qtd. in Wiseman par. 8). The effects are usually harmful and cause addiction. Wiseman researched the effects on the children that are being given the antipsychotic drugs: “Millions of children are being drugged with powerful stimulants and antidepressants, placing our nation's children at risk” (Wiseman par. 7). Antipsychotics are known to put children at risk for dangerous behaviors and cause serious detriments to their health. Antipsychotics are dangerous for young children and teens; medical professionals must stop prescribing these drugs until the side effects are completely understood. The negative effects of these drugs outweigh the positive. Of course, many disagree and believe that inappropriate drug use, including antipsychotic drug use, is not causing negative effects in children. A study conducted at UCLA shows that “children with ADHD who take medications such as Ritalin and Adderall are at no greater risk of using alcohol, marijuana, nicotine or cocaine later in life...” ("Are Children Who Take Ritalin" par. 2). These supporters believe that Adderall and Ritalin will not cause any addictive tendencies or have any negative effects. However, it is simply not reasonable to assume that drugs that have been proven to be addictive will not have those effects on the young children that receive them. The drugs are addictive and should not be given to children to treat their symptoms for ADHD.
In addition to future drug abuse, the most threatening of the medications are the one’s being used the most often: antipsychotics. Research published by Issues and Controversies shows that antipsychotic drugs are too powerful and are not fully understood by medical professionals; therefore, they should not be prescribed to children until the long-term effects have been found (“Children and Antipsychotic Drugs” par. 2). Antipsychotics can do more harm than good when given to a brain that is still developing. The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry revealed, "It is well known that psychostimulants have abuse potential..." (qtd. in Wiseman par. 8). The effects are usually harmful and cause addiction. Wiseman researched the effects on the children that are being given the antipsychotic drugs: “Millions of children are being drugged with powerful stimulants and antidepressants, placing our nation's children at risk” (Wiseman par. 7). Antipsychotics are known to put children at risk for dangerous behaviors and cause serious detriments to their health. Antipsychotics are dangerous for young children and teens; medical professionals must stop prescribing these drugs until the side effects are completely understood. The negative effects of these drugs outweigh the positive. Of course, many disagree and believe that inappropriate drug use, including antipsychotic drug use, is not causing negative effects in children. A study conducted at UCLA shows that “children with ADHD who take medications such as Ritalin and Adderall are at no greater risk of using alcohol, marijuana, nicotine or cocaine later in life...” ("Are Children Who Take Ritalin" par. 2). These supporters believe that Adderall and Ritalin will not cause any addictive tendencies or have any negative effects. However, it is simply not reasonable to assume that drugs that have been proven to be addictive will not have those effects on the young children that receive them. The drugs are addictive and should not be given to children to treat their symptoms for ADHD.