Question

At no time in our history have we been more medicated as a society than we are today. Yet one study has shown that 75% of pediatricians are NOT confident in diagnosing ADD/ADHD, let alone psychiatric conditions. Meanwhile, access to specialized services, especially for children, are practically nonexistent.

Chapter 7 discusses several cognitive and psychiatric conditions, many of which are often treated with medication. Pretend you are the parent of a child with one of these conditions. You would want to learn as much as you possibly can about the condition and the medications that may be prescribed to your child, right?

Select a condition for which the current treatment course is medication and fully answer each of the following prompts:

Fully explain the condition, its causes and symptoms.

Describe your plans to support your child given the diagnosis.

Briefly describe the medication(s) prescribed to adolescents with this condition. Would you consider medication(s) as a treatment option? Why/Why not?

Answer 1

ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder, while AHDH is ADD with hyperactivity. They both refer to a syndrome found in both children and adults characterized by distractibility, impulsivity and restlessness or hyperactivity. It is important to note that these are neurological disorders, and the actions resulting from these disorders are not instances of wilful disobedience.

People with ADD/ADHD typically have trouble paying attention and focusing. They struggle with getting organized, prioritizing their activities, managing time, and completing tasks. They can be unaware of the impact they have on others, and so they can be socially awkward or inappropriate. They can be forgetful, inconsistent in follow-through, and often late. They have trouble with planning, problem solving and decision making.

The treatment of ADD/ADHD involve stimulant medication. The stimulants include medications like Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Vyvanse, Focalin, and others. As long as you take them under proper medical supervision, they can help you immensely. Medication can be recommended as a treatment option for children as they are empirically demonstrated to be highly effective and safe.