In a new study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, more evidence is pouring in to suggest that many healthy young people could be harmed if given controversial psychotropic drugs used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The disorders are commonly diagnosed in the elementary and middle school years and describe children who are unable to fixate their attention on any one subject for a prolonged period of time. The hyperactivity is signified by extreme bouts of high energy activity in the child. It is often diagnosed by pediatricians who ask parents and teachers to fill out questionnaires and the child is treated more often than not by stimulants, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate).
The study was only conducted with Ritalin, and it not intended to make any statements of any other medications. This is far from the first study done of this issue, but many studies are necessary to make a definitive decision regarding the medication’s risk. The study states that sudden cardiac arrests in healthy children and young adults are at an increase when the young person was taking Ritalin, at least by a small margin. The study was conducted with a control group and any children with a personal or family history of heart abnormalities were eliminated from the study. The young person had to have perished while he was taking the medication and does not include any children that may have passed away after ending drug treatment. The person must have been between the ages of seven to nineteen, and adults were not included.
As a psychology student I am aware of the risks associated with drug treatment and believe strongly in the reality of over-diagnosis that occurs in the field of psychology, especially in the case of ADD and related childhood conditions. I think it is important for all people to remember that psychology is a soft science, not a hard one. There is no definitive mark on a slide. People need to be diagnosed on a case by case basis and a patient may not fit an exact diagnosis in order to be afflicted with a disorder. I defend the right of psychology and psychiatry to exist, and believe they are of the same importance as medical doctors. A person conflicted with the decision of whether or not to live when they have depression is at the same risk as someone who has cancer or another life-threatening disease. However, I think it does everyone a great disservice in allowing the public school system (who often receive millions in funding from drug companies each year) to push medication on children, parents, and doctors. It is also not in the best interest of children to allow anyone but a psychologist or psychiatrist to diagnose over a period of time, rather than a pediatrician, who may not be well versed in the risks and alternatives of medications, who often make the decision based upon a five minute or less meeting with most of the questions aimed at the parent.
I think drug therapy can be beneficial and necessary for many people. Adults who are informed of the risks should be able to obtain prescriptions of the medications. It is in my opinion that children should not be given any psychotropic drugs with the exception of anti-psychotics for confirmed cases of schizophrenia and other more extreme disorders, or in the case of suicidal children, and only then with very vigilant supervision. Psychotropics, even those specifically marketed primarily to children, such as medications for ADD, have very seldom been tested on people under the age of 18. Because young bodies are far from smaller versions of their adult counterparts it is best not to give a medication intended for adults to children, even in smaller portions, unless close supervision by medical professionals.
There are alternatives to drug therapy for ADD/ADHD. Many parents have found great promise in an overhaul of their child’s diet and exercise plans. Though it is scientifically unfounded that sugar causes children to be hyperactive, non-nutritive rich foods and foods laden with chemicals, preservatives, and artificial flavorings or colorings have been known to cause some children to become hyperactive and when these foods are deleted from a child’s diet, hyperactivity levels improves dramatically. Exercise helps a lot in many mental health areas, especially in ADD and ADHD. Many children need extra attention or intervention from parents, extra help with homework, and because ADHD is a psychological disorder, it is important not to forget that children with problems in school and at home may benefit from cognitive/behavioral therapy (talk therapy) with a psychologist.
We need to remember that there have been but a few tests done on this exact problem with psychotropic medications, they were correlational studies, and zeroed in on one medication. We cannot vilify an entire medical discipline or behave like proverbial chickens with their heads cut off on this issue. But it is an important thing to remember in the recent talk about health and our concern with the subject. And as always, these decisions need to be made by parents and doctors, not by schools or bureaucrats.
