Over Diagnosis And Over Prescriptions Of Adhd

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Over-diagnosis and over-prescriptions of ADHD Currently America has an over prescription problem, this plagues all age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. In young children the diagnosis of Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder also known as ADHD has rapidly increased. Because we live in world where so many need quick results, normal childhood behavior are now being mistaken for ADHD and other disorders. In this paper I will prove that ADHD is over diagnosed and overprescribed, especially in lower socio-economic groups. Having over medicated kids is not healthy and this trend needs to stop. ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders, however it is gravely misunderstood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) starts in early childhood (average onset age is 7) and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity. Scientists are still not sure what causes ADHD, although some suggest that genes play a dominant role. Most likely it results from a combination of factors like environmental factors, brain injuries, nutrition, and the social environment. According to the NIMH some children with ADHD have thinner brain tissue in the areas of the brain associated with attention; however, as they grow up the tissue develops into a normal level of thickness. Environmental factors like having a mom who used cigarettes and alcohol while pregnant and kids who are exposed to high levels of lead are more prone to developing ADHD. Some scientists in Brittan have linked a higher consumption of food addictive like preservatives lead to a... ... middle of paper ... ... psychologist who might give the kids pointers on how to focus. Unfortunately treatments like this are very expensive and most medical insurances do not include therapy. Medications are also the fastest way for parents to see results in their unruly child. Ever since the FDA allowed companies to advertise directly to consumers we saw an increase in the ADHD rates as parents would see the advertisement, take their toddler and come back with very strong medications. To combat the problem of over prescription parents need to make a constant effort to be their child’s strongest advocate. Parents need to be well researched in this topic and decide whether or not it is worth it to medicate. They need to be able to properly take care of their child with alternative methods before turning to medication which a lot of doctors argue should be the last straw.

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