Medicating Young Minds

1322 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effects of drugs on teens and youths

Medicating Young Minds In the article, “Medicating Young Minds”, which was published in Time magazine, dated November 3, 2003, it is stated that using stimulant medication on the youth is harmful. The article's author, Jeffrey Kluger, states that society must find alternative ways to treat young people for problems such as; ADD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, etc. Jeffrey Kluger's argument is not very persuasive for various reasons: their ill-logical beliefs, their sarcastic tones, their opinion and lack of fact based information, and their tendency to be biased in their writing. All of these reasons make it a poor argument over a very important subject. In the article, “Medicating Young Minds” author Jeffrey Kluger goes into detail about the problems of medicating children today. It is Klugers et al belief that it should not be happening; medicating the youth. His argument is logical to himself but, it may not be to everyone, especially people who need medication to survive. Kluger uses a sarcastic tone and is somewhat biased in his article. He believes that people today are just looking for the easy way out to feel better, when in reality they use medications to help them be successful in life. He states reasons for why he feels medications to aid ADD, ADHD, depression, anxiety and other mood disorders are bad, but does not give logical explanations to back it up. Kluger states side effects that he believes should help people determine that these medications are not worth taking. However, none of these side effects are worse than the effects some one may have with out the medicine. Kluger et al lacks evidence and does not have logic to their argument. His opinion is built into the article and less fact. He does no... ... middle of paper ... ...sm, etc. The argument does not seem to be too believable for it does not show that any of the authors have any experience in the topic of medication and the effects on the youth .Also, the examples et al give are weak and they are not backed up with anything solid. The bias attitude these authors tend to demonstrate through the article does not help with believing what the authors have to say. Lastly, the word choice and attitudes throughout the article are used to try to make the reader fear or question medication on the youth. These words or statements are not followed with any good back up leaving them not as effective. It is obvious that the authors hold values that may differ from the general populations on this topic and they are not ashamed to show it. Having these attitudes takes away from the logic, believability, and credibility of their argument as a whole.

Show More
Related

  • William Penn

    930 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Penn was born in England and belonged to a wealthy family “possessed of wealth and status, which gave him almost immediate access to the halls of power in Restoration, England” (Moretta xii). I personally believe that the importance of status and wealth must have played a gigantic role in Penn’s life and his career. He lived a simple life and wanted the good of others, but knowing the status of your family would’ve generated something in his mind. He was a social individual and was liked by his peers until he was caught attending a Quakers meeting and arrested. His father left him homeless at the age of twenty-two and he started residing with the Quakers. He had to struggle in his early twenties but as they say; “with no struggle there is no inspiration.” He knew the consequences of attending the meetings but the interest kept him going. I believe this is when Penn realized the important things in his life and started to prioritize things that meant something to him.

    Read More

  • The Medication Of ADHD

    701 Words  | 2 Pages

    There has been an increase in the Misuse and Abuse of prescription drugs to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). the number of children on medication for ADHD has grown from 600,000 in 1990 to 3.5 million in 2013 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But although there is an over-medication of ADHD drugs, there is actually and under-medication since not all the right people are getting medicated. Many individuals lack insurance or are insured with health plans that do not cover the outpatient prescription drugs they need and cannot afford.10 Therefore, Individuals covered by various health plans and programs, and those who have no prescription drug coverage, pay significantly different prices for the same medications. As the demand for ADHD drugs grows, higher prescribing rates and increasing drug prices result, which creates problems for these number of Americans who cannot afford the treatment they require.

    Read More

  • Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teens

    1626 Words  | 4 Pages

    Clearly, his study shows that prescription drug abuse among teens has risen a lot, and is becoming a bigger problem than it once was. In fact, each day, over 1,000 teenagers start abusing prescription medication (3). Although personally I have not met anyone who has ever abused prescription drugs, the problem is prevalent and should not be ignored.

    Read More

  • William Penn Biography

    966 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...lvania in 1699, which had reached the title of second largest city in America, after Boston. William enforced trade and anti-pirate laws and acted as an arbitrator of tribal wars, a significant task as the French were making great progress with the American Indians.

    Read More

  • Giving Children ADHD Medication

    1641 Words  | 4 Pages

    Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric disorder that causes children to have problems with paying attention, trouble with following instructions, have impulsive behaviors and become easily distracted. Medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are used to treat the symptoms of this disorder by helping the patient to focus and pay attention while also curbing their impulsive behavior and hyperactivity. Side effects of these medications are, but not limited to, anxiety, addiction and in some cases psychosis. Proponents of giving ADHD medication to children argue that ADHD is a real disorder in children and the medication does improve the symptoms of the disorder by a large margin as well as being cost effective. Also, not only are the parents happy with the outcome of their children taking the prescribed medication but so are the children themselves. Proponents also argue that by not letting parents of the children, young adults and adults choose to take these prescriptions when diagnosed with ADHD that the medical and psychiatric communities would be in violation of the principle of autonomy. Justice as well would be violated since most of the burden of dealing with all the symptoms caused by this disorder would fall onto those with ADHD and partly on their families. Opponents of giving ADHD medication to children point out that it is not only going to children with ADHD but also being prescribed to those not diagnosed with the disorder as well as the pills being given or sold to other children and young adults. They also claim that the full side effects of ADHD medication are still not known and could have harmful long- lasting side effects on the children taking the medications. In this case, the princip...

    Read More

  • Past and Current Trends of Drug Abuse in the United States

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    Another growing fad in the United States is the abuse of prescription drugs. The abuse is being done by not only adults but by teens. The most current trend today is the misuse of cough syrups and prescription medications to produce a “high.” Other medications abused today are stimulants (Ritalin), and benzodiazepines (Xanax). Health Watch (2004) state girls tend to lean towards the medi...

    Read More

  • The Results of Keeping Secrets in the Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald

    1031 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...are shown that Gatsby is prepared to do everything in his power to acquire Daisy’s adoration again, even let her get away with murder and will blindly go to jail for her. This however only leads him to his ultimate doom, as he is killed by Myrtle’s husband, Wilson. He may be a liar, but readers empathize with him as his only fault for being dishonest is his love for Daisy and being so blind to see that she is not worthy of that adoration.

    Read More

  • r

    669 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...le in what they are doing in the country. Another aspect that this border type has is it requires internal checks and internal enforcement within the jurisdiction to make sure that any people who have entered the jurisdiction are in fact following any type of condition that certain country might have and that they are not overstaying to reside illegally or become someone that will fall off the radar. The government wants to make sure they know everything that the people are up to in their country which is where the term controlled border comes from in the different open borders. If there is a lack of something or if the borders are land borders, often the border can only be controlled on certain parts of the borders such as some parts might be opened to such a degree that, it may be considered as an open border because there is a lack of supervision and enforcement.

    Read More

  • Are Video Games Art: Art And Art

    1191 Words  | 3 Pages

    Aaron Smutz 's academic article, “Are Video Games Art?” was able to more or less prove video games to be capable of art by any modern definition, but admits that not all video games should be called art. He further explains “Without masterpieces, arguing that video games can be art seems premature. "Max Payne" and "Halo" are two of the best games ever produced, but they are not great art.”(Smutz) . With this in mind, Smutz essentially asserts that games have not fully developed into their art, and suggests that they may one day grow into their own art form. However, Smutz made this declaration ten years ago, and his argument still holds with today 's video games, which indicates a stagnation in the artistry of games. While exceptions do exist with artful games within the indie game community, the majority of produced games still fall under the category of not

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Video Games

    1160 Words  | 3 Pages

    Some view video games as simply that, games nothing more nothing less. Highly respected game designer, famed director, and creator of the Metal Gear Solid series Hideo Kojima has been quoted as saying “ If 100 people walk by and a single person is captivated by whatever a piece radiates it is art, however videogames are not trying to capture one person. A videogame should make sure that all 100 people that play the game should enjoy the service provided by the game. It’s something of a service. It is not art however.” Art has been described as many things, the literal definition of it is “the expression or application of human creative skill or imagination”. A lot of people have put their souls into their work and have expressed their very lives into what they are presenting. However movies have been considered works of art and they have been used to make money and attract the masses. Earlier this year in March software developer Square-Enix held an art exhibit at Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles, California. To answer the question of whether or not a video game can be considered art, you must look at videogames as a whole and decide for yourself what you consider

    Read More

  • Anxiety Disorder Essay

    1704 Words  | 4 Pages

    If you have ever been tense before an exam, a date, or a job interview, you have some idea of what anxiety feels like. Increased heart rate, sweating, rapid breathing, a dry mouth, and a sense of dread are common components of anxiety. But episodes of modern anxiety are a normal part of the life for most people. But what anxiety is so intense and long lasting that it impairs a person’s daily functioning is called an anxiety disorder. It is a general term for several disorders that cause apprehension, nervousness, fear, and worrying. These disorders affect how we feel and behave, and they can manifest real physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety can be extremely debilitating, having a serious impact on daily life.

    Read More

  • Anxiety Research Paper

    820 Words  | 2 Pages

    One may suffer from one, two, or all of them. The main anxiety disorders are Panic disorder, Phobias, and Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD). The NMIH estimated “in The Numbers Count that approximately 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders” (11). Each disorder may involve different negative effects and symptoms. Panic disorders may be unexpected or caused by circumstances in one’s surroundings (Source 4). Negative effects and symptoms of having a panic disorder involve weakness, terror, and sweating (Source 4). The second disorder is phobias. A phobia is a fear of an object or situation one chooses to avoid (Source 3). Some examples of phobias one may suffer from could be the fear of clowns, bees, and heights (Source 4). Symptoms and negative effects of a phobia are technically in the definition, which would be fear. There are no symptoms or negative effects of phobias like sweating or nervousness, it’s mainly just about fear. The third disorder is Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which “is marked by unwanted, intrusive, persistent thoughts or repetitive behaviors” (DSM 1) (Source 3). Just like phobias, the symptoms and negative effects are technically in the definition. These symptoms and negative effects would be persistent thoughts or repetitive behaviors. Instead of suffering the symptoms from an anxiety disorder, they may choose to get treatment or find

    Read More

  • History Of Victoria Police

    1042 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are a lot of individuals shared in one local environment, with different characteristics such as class, or ethnicity. Police officers carry a huge responsibility in protecting their community. Although they are well trained, it is important that police officers have a clear idea on what community mean, if there is no clear idea about what it is, then the likelihood is that the strategy and policy designed to meet the community’s needs will fall short, a poor quality police performance (Clements, 2008).

    Read More

  • What is Human Enhancement?

    765 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many students and young people trying to leave marks on their jobs now use brain-enhancing "smart" pills to help boost their exam grades or their ability to work long hours without tiring. It's quite possible that employers will start to demand that employees use stimulants. Drugs, originally made for dementia patients and children diagnosed with ADHD, are now available without prescription. Healthy individuals use them solely to improve their memory, motivation and attention, without any prior consult with their doctors. Many of these drugs are available on the Internet which comes in handy to young people who want to save their money for the future. What they do not take into consideration when buying stimulants on the Internet is the risk of not knowing for certain what they are getting. Moreover, long-term consequences and safety of the technologies are not known. Scientists haven’t done enough research to know how much of an impact even a short period of using such substances leaves on our brains.

    Read More

  • TOK Essay

    1220 Words  | 3 Pages

    Language, similar to all knowledge issues, is dependent on the circumstance of the situation in which the knowledge question is posed. Language can also affect the capacity of one when sharing personal experiences because of the conveyance of emotion is not always a true and concentrated version, but rather a diluted and falsified version. Language can be a necessary tool when dealing with the transmission of concepts from one generation or person to another, the exposure of concepts or claims to public scrutiny. Language can be both a universal and national tool and hence can both limit and enhance the delivery of sense perceptive stories, emotions, memories, imaginative scenes, and intuitive occurrences.

    Read More

More about Medicating Young Minds

Open Document