ADHD Medications Essay

With the tremendous increase in ADHD diagnosis, altercations have been emerging about whether or not ADHD medications are being overprescribed. Many people feel as though ADHD medications are needed for the condition, but are doctors just â€Å"handing† them out? Medications may be necessary depending on how severe the case is, but some people take advantage of it. As a community, we need to limit the amount of ADHD medications being prescribed by doctors. ADHD medications have been praised drastically for the enhancement of mental performance that is shown. People who have a more severe case of ADHD are generally more motivated to do things once they are put on the medication. â€Å"Some two-thirds of all children currently diagnosed with the condition receive prescriptions for stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall, which have been linked to addiction and psychosis† (Swaine). The effects of ADHD medication vary depending on how large or small the dosage is. â€Å"There’s a very small difference between the right dose and too little or too much medication, so resist the temptation to experiment on your own† (Adult ADD/ADHD). The medication will keep one focused on a task without getting distracted as easily. See more: Distinguish between problem-focused coping and emotion-focused coping Essay With ADHD medication, tasks can be completed a lot faster than usual because of the extra focus the medication pushes on someone. â€Å"Research by the Centers for Disease Control also found that more than one in ten school-age children in the US has now received an ADHD diagnosis, amid a sharp rise in reported instances of the condition†(Swaine). Although ADHD medications have positive effects, it also has negative effects. These medications can cause slowing of growth, not  only physically but mentally too. The mind may not develop as well as it usually would. Another negative effect is impaired judgment. This usually occurs when someone is unable to make correct and or right choices in real-life decisions. ADHD medications can control mood swings, but can also cause someone to be more irritable. Emotions can be controlled by ADHD medications, but can also influence someone to act out. Generally, the effects of the medications can help one control the urge to blurt out. This makes it easier to think and process words before actually saying them. â€Å"In fact, there are many signs that your medication is working. They include being better able to pay attention†¦ tending to think before you speak instead of blurting things out†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Adult ADD/ADHD). The sudden urge of kindness can make it so much easier to make and or keep friends. The way our minds think causes us to say things we don’t necessarily mean. This will begin to push people away from one another. Although medication can control many things related to emotional effects, it can also add on negative effects. The use of ADHD medication can cause one to become very irritable towards family and friends. â€Å"The majority of adults who take stimulants experience rebound effects of moodiness, irritability, and restlessness as the level of medication in their bloodstream decreases† (Adult ADD/ADHD). Irritability can then lead to a negative personality change. â€Å"If you’re normally sunny and upbeat and you suddenly become all doom and gloom, it may be time to switch to another medication† (Adult ADD/ADHD). These medications can affect the hyperactivity of an individual not only positively but also negatively. Hyperactivity within individuals who suffer from the condition can generally change, depending on the case. If one is diagnosed wrongly, there is a possibility that the hyperactivity of an individual can increase. In these cases, ADHD is mistaken for immaturity. Some people just never grow up and the immaturity rate they have makes it look like they have a hyperactivity condition. â€Å"Some 6.4 million American children aged between 4 and 17 have received an ADHD diagnosis at some point in their lives, the US government scientists found† (Swaine). Not all individuals diagnosed have the actual condition, but rather act as if the medication is a necessity for everyday  life. â€Å"Dr. Graf said that it was now clear that American parents were encouraging the medication of their children merely to enhance their mental performance rather than to cure an illness† (Swaine). The effects of ADHD medication can be very beneficial. Generally, one who actually has the condition can be less disruptive if they are put on the right medication. An individual can also be less distracted with the use of ADHD medication. Being less distracted and less disruptive can make it easier to get certain tasks completed. The use of ADHD medications continue to increase throughout the years. As a community, we must limit the intake of these medications. We need to be stricter on the behavior of individuals, but we need to decrease the amount of prescriptions being used for the condition. Looking at the positive and negative effects of these medications may cause people to stop taking the medications prescribed by doctors. Works Cited â€Å"Adult ADD / ADHD.† _Positive and Negative Effects of Medication_. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. . Swaine, Jon. â€Å"Fears American Children Are Being Over-medicated as ADHD Rates Soar.† _The Telegraph_. Telegraph Media Group, 02 Apr. 2013. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. .