Ritalin and Children

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the debate surrounding the use of Ritalin, especially the misuse among children under the age of six. The paper details what ADD and ADHD are, how they are diagnosed and treated and what the growth in the number of children being diagnosed with these disorders has done to the use of Ritalin. The paper looks at several different issues including treatment of adolescents, teenagers and young adults. It also addresses the issue of a lack of research being conducted into the affects that this drug has on children and adolescents.

The paper has an extensive bibliography, but is without footnotes, or endnotes.

From the Paper:

"Children who take Ritalin note that they are more goal directed, they are able to stay focused on their schoolwork, are less aggressive and are more docile and compliant. The effects of the drug usually are seen within 30 to 60 minutes after taking it. The peak occurs within one to three hours and the influences are gone in 3 to 5 hours. The sustained release form, effects last 6 to 8 hours. It is entirely metabolized and out of the system within 12 to 24 hours. The dose is usually taken twice a day. The Physicians Desk Reference lists more than 25 side effects that can be seen while taking Ritalin. Some of these include nausea, insomnia, headaches, weight loss, slowing of growth, compulsive behaviors, elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure and Tourette syndrome. Regardless of the evidence that this drug has damaging side effects, doctors still ignore a safer solution. Non drug approaches for children are also underfunded."

More papers on Ritalin and Children:

• Essay # 46394 : "Psychiatric Drugs and Children"
• Argumentative Essay # 112968 : "Ritalin and ADD/ADHD"
• Term Paper # 118466 : "ADHD, Ritalin and Academic Achievement"

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