Attention Deficit Disorder
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
There is an epidemic raging among children. Everyday more and more children fall victim to this uncureable disorder. However, there is uncertainty about this disorder. Does it truely exist? If it does, how can we be sure which children have it? This disorder is known as Attention Deficit Disorder. (This is not ADHD though, as I believe Attention Deficit Hyperactive (hyperactivity?) Disorder is different the Attention Deficit Disorder)
Attention Deficit Disorder, also called ADD for short, is a condition which causes hyperactivity, the inability of being unable to concentrate, and impulsive and/or inappropriate behavior. Doctors and teachers most often diagnose ADD in children during the period while the children are attending elementary school. It is unknown what causes Attention Deficit Disorder. However, many theories exist.
One is that Attention Deficit Disorder is caused by a head injury that causes minor brain damage due to either a complication or infection during birth. Another theory states that food additives, such as food coloring and refined sugar, cause the disorder. Currently, scientists believes that Attention Deficit Disorder is a biological disorder caused by anomalies in the brain. They also believe that Attention Deficit Disorder runs in the family, making genetics a possible factor.
No cure for Attention Deficit Disorder exists. However, doctors prescribe several medications. These drugs are methylphenidate, also known as Ritilin, dextroamphetamine, known as Dexedrine or DextroStat, and pemoline, known as Cylert. All of these medicines are stimulents, which help ease the symptoms of the disorder in at least 90% of children. These medicines work by altering levels of brain chemicals that transmit nerve signals, also called neurotransmitters.
Many people, such as scientists and critics, are saying that the doctors are too quick to diagnose this disorder and prescribe the medication to too many children who do not even have the disorder. Ther critics site that allergies, problems with parents and teachers, depression, anxiety and a number of other problems can cause children to display symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder. In addition, young children are normally over-active, inattentive, and impulsive.
Over the years, the number of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder has risen rapidly. Teachers started diagnosing the students who were full of energy and could not seem to behave like adults, even though children are not and should not be expected to act like adults. Doctors started diagnosing the same children the teachers were saying had Attention Deficit Disorder as having Attention Deficit Disorder. This has led the parents into believing that the teachers have the capability of seeing inside a child's brain better than a doctor can with equipment.
Parents of children of all ages bring their children when they can not stand all the energy the children have. The parents are more willing to let their child be labeled ADD than to face the facts that children often have a lot of energy. Most young children do have a tendency to run a lot and to bang pans together. Young children often daydream. They often yell and scream. Yet, the parents refuse to accept that as appropriate behavior. The results are that children who should not be diagnosed ADD, much less medicated, are.
There are tests to see if a child has Attention Deficit Disorder. However, these tests are confusing and do not always judge correctly. One test asks a child to press a button everytime the number one followed by the number ninw shows up on the computer screen. Children tested like that have the doctors asking if they understand the numbers, not if they are having problems concentrating.
The amount of Ritilan prescribed has gone up by 500% in the last six years. Ritilan is the most prescribed drug for Attention Deficit Disorder. It is illigal without a prescription, and even without a prescription children are getting it. Ritilan is a stimulent that works to calm children with Attention Deficit Disorder. However, as mentioned before, the use of the drug has increased. In most cases children are taking massive doses. Yet no one knows the short term or the long-term results and side effects of using Ritilan. That does not prevent it from being prescribed to children of all ages.
Attention Deficit Disorder is truely becoming an epidemic. If something is not done now, soon the entire world's population of children will be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. We will all see our children wake up in the morning to take a medicine that could hurt them in the future.
Attention Deficit Disorder, also called ADD for short, is a condition which causes hyperactivity, the inability of being unable to concentrate, and impulsive and/or inappropriate behavior. Doctors and teachers most often diagnose ADD in children during the period while the children are attending elementary school. It is unknown what causes Attention Deficit Disorder. However, many theories exist.
One is that Attention Deficit Disorder is caused by a head injury that causes minor brain damage due to either a complication or infection during birth. Another theory states that food additives, such as food coloring and refined sugar, cause the disorder. Currently, scientists believes that Attention Deficit Disorder is a biological disorder caused by anomalies in the brain. They also believe that Attention Deficit Disorder runs in the family, making genetics a possible factor.
No cure for Attention Deficit Disorder exists. However, doctors prescribe several medications. These drugs are methylphenidate, also known as Ritilin, dextroamphetamine, known as Dexedrine or DextroStat, and pemoline, known as Cylert. All of these medicines are stimulents, which help ease the symptoms of the disorder in at least 90% of children. These medicines work by altering levels of brain chemicals that transmit nerve signals, also called neurotransmitters.
Many people, such as scientists and critics, are saying that the doctors are too quick to diagnose this disorder and prescribe the medication to too many children who do not even have the disorder. Ther critics site that allergies, problems with parents and teachers, depression, anxiety and a number of other problems can cause children to display symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder. In addition, young children are normally over-active, inattentive, and impulsive.
Over the years, the number of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder has risen rapidly. Teachers started diagnosing the students who were full of energy and could not seem to behave like adults, even though children are not and should not be expected to act like adults. Doctors started diagnosing the same children the teachers were saying had Attention Deficit Disorder as having Attention Deficit Disorder. This has led the parents into believing that the teachers have the capability of seeing inside a child's brain better than a doctor can with equipment.
Parents of children of all ages bring their children when they can not stand all the energy the children have. The parents are more willing to let their child be labeled ADD than to face the facts that children often have a lot of energy. Most young children do have a tendency to run a lot and to bang pans together. Young children often daydream. They often yell and scream. Yet, the parents refuse to accept that as appropriate behavior. The results are that children who should not be diagnosed ADD, much less medicated, are.
There are tests to see if a child has Attention Deficit Disorder. However, these tests are confusing and do not always judge correctly. One test asks a child to press a button everytime the number one followed by the number ninw shows up on the computer screen. Children tested like that have the doctors asking if they understand the numbers, not if they are having problems concentrating.
The amount of Ritilan prescribed has gone up by 500% in the last six years. Ritilan is the most prescribed drug for Attention Deficit Disorder. It is illigal without a prescription, and even without a prescription children are getting it. Ritilan is a stimulent that works to calm children with Attention Deficit Disorder. However, as mentioned before, the use of the drug has increased. In most cases children are taking massive doses. Yet no one knows the short term or the long-term results and side effects of using Ritilan. That does not prevent it from being prescribed to children of all ages.
Attention Deficit Disorder is truely becoming an epidemic. If something is not done now, soon the entire world's population of children will be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. We will all see our children wake up in the morning to take a medicine that could hurt them in the future.
