Behavioral Health Medication and Children

Behavioral Health Medication and Children

In the past doctors’ treating children with behavioral problems used other methods rather than medication. However, in recent years it has now almost become a common practice to prescribe medication. The rate of children on prescription drugs has grown greatly. The facts show that it is hard to diagnosis and give appropriate treatment of behavioral or psychological problems. It’s best for the patient to be seen by a psychiatrist or a specialist in mood disorders. After thoroughly researching this topic, children with behavioral issues are being overmedicated, under medicated, and inappropriately medicated.

We will take a look at two psychotropic drugs most frequently prescribed today. The first is Ritalin and the second is Adderall. These drugs are usually prescribed for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). After taking a closer look at the side effects of both drugs one would feel it is not to introduce many children to these drugs. Ritalin for example, “Many think Ritalin (methylphenidate) is safe, or mild, because so many children use it. However, the government classifies the psychoactive drug with cocaine and morphine because it is highly addictive”. (“Drugenquirer,” 2011, p. 1). So being in the class of highly addictive drugs as mention in this article cannot be a good idea to administer to children. The article goes to speak about the dependence and withdrawal stating, “It is possible to build up a tolerance which means, the person using the drug needs to take larger doses to achieve the same effect. Over time, the body might come to depend on methylphenidate drugs just to function normally. The person craves the drug and their psychological dependence makes them panic if access is denied, even temporarily. Withdrawal symptoms can include tiredness, panic attacks, crankiness, extreme hunger, depression and nightmares. Some people experience a pattern of "binge crash" characterized by using continuously for several days without sleep, followed by a period of heavy sleeping. (“Drugenquirer,” 2011, p. 4).

The second drug Adderall, is an amphetamine. It commonly use with the child who does not respond to other antidepressants. It is consider and narcotic drug that can only be prescribed by a written script from the doctor. Some of the side effects to this drug are, “often find that a dose that had worked for a while is suddenly ineffective and they need a higher dose. They then become "tolerant" to the higher dose and have to increase the dose again. Soon, the person is addicted to the drug. Stopping it suddenly leads to a severe withdrawal reaction characterized by bad depression and extreme fatigue. Suicides have been reported in people who suddenly stop taking amphetamines”. (“Drugenquirer”, 2011, p. 7). So review the facts of the drugs I do not think it a good