...Ritalin & Cocaine: Controversial Connection Today it seems that many children, especially boys, are diagnosed with ADHD, four times more than girls. Is it more prevalent now or just recognized more within our society? Those diagnosed with ADHD have a hard time concentrating and are prone to outburst based on the emotions they are feeling at the time rather than reason. This is caused by lower levels of dopamine in their brains. The most commonly prescribed drug to treat ADHD is Ritalin. The dopamine transporter within the brain moves dopamine from the synapse to the sending neuron. Ritalin blocks the dopamine transporter, therefore, increasing the dopamine level at the synapse. Similarly, in recent studies, “cocaine has the same affect on the dopamine transporter protein responsible for the reuptake of dopamine at the synapse”. “Both Ritalin and Cocaine have similar chemical structures, but Ritalin is a pill to be swallowed and can take longer to reach the brain, where cocaine is taken in higher doses by injection or snorting”. This method reaches the brain quicker and floods the brain with dopamine, making it addictive and dangerous. Unfortunately, Ritalin is relatively cheap and easier to obtain by today’s teens and is quickly becoming a drug of choice. If taken as prescribed Ritalin is not addictive, however, when taken without a prescription and in much higher doses, it can be just as addictive as cocaine. “Misdiagnosis of ADHD is common and many believe...
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...__________________________________________________ ______________________ 7.__________________________________________________ ______________________ @ ____________@ ____________@ ____________@ ____________@ ____________@ ____________@ ____________ Courses with e-portfolio: Link to e-portfolio: _________________________________________________________________________________ Victor Riparbelli Society & Technology -‐ 12/10-‐2012 The Ritalin...
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...PSY347: Neuroethics Prof. Kozuch- FA11 The Use of Ritalin by College Students Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, more commonly referred to as ADHD or ADD, is a chronic behavioral disorder with problem areas which include hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity (Rodriguez, 2010). In order to treat such a disorder, cognitive stimulants are used to counteract the symptoms and calm the patient in order to for them to focus. However, these medications have a paradoxical effect on people who do not suffer from such a disorder. This has caused many people, mostly college and high school students, to use them for cognitive enhancement rather than to treat a condition. A study completed by DeSantis and Hane (2010) surveyed and analyzed information given to them by an undergraduate sample, to find out their justifications for using these pharmaceuticals illegally. Of the arguments presented by the undergraduates, there were four main contentions: comparison-and-contrast, all-things-in-moderation, self-medicating, and minimization (DeSantis & Hane, p31). This paper will focus on comparison-and-contrast, and how the arguments are inconsistent with facts and information available. Due to the amount of compelling research completed in this area, DeSantis & Hane completed an additional experiment to concur and elaborate on the great findings found in the other studies; one of which found as many as 34% of the student sample using a form of cognitive stimulant...
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...Your name Professor’s name Class Information 06 May 2013 Final Argumentative Essay Zombie Children: The Over-diagnosis of ADHD in children Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral syndrome predominantly occurring in children (CDC 1). It is one of the most common childhood disorders. This condition is characterized by lack of attention, fidgeting, lack of organization, or squirming when seated. Children with ADHD often have difficulty paying attention to details and are easily distracted by other events happening at the same time; they find it difficult to complete their schoolwork; they put off anything that requires a lot of thought; they are prone to making careless mistakes, and are disorganized; they may seem as if they are listening when spoken to and often fail to follow through with tasks. The symptoms usually become evident in preschool or when entering into elementary school but can continue into adolescence and adulthood. There is no fixed test that can give an accurate diagnosis that a child has ADHD; therefore, over diagnosis has become difficult to avoid. Approximately, 9.5% (5.4 million) children, between four and seventeen years of age, are diagnosed with ADHD (CDC). This translates to three percent to seven percent of school aged children being diagnosed with ADHD. The rate that ADHD has been diagnosed has increased an average of three percent per year between the years 1997 and 2006 and an average of five and a half percent...
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...undergraduate college students. Adderall and Ritalin are the most popular among the students. Some use the drugs to stay awake to study to get by with good grades, even with acknowledgement of the dangers of using. However, the use of prescription stimulants among future graduated students is at risk. Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………... 2 Chapter 1 ……………………………………………………………………………..….. 4 Purpose of the Study ……………………………………..……………… 4 Statement …………………………………………………..……………. 4 Research Questions …………………………………………..…………. 5 Significance of the Study ……………………………………..………… 5 Delimitation ……………………………………………..……………… 5 Definition of Terms …………………………………………..………… 6 Chapter 2 Literature Review…………………………………………………………….. 7 Chapter 3 Research Methods …………………………………………………………… 18 References ………………………………………………………….…………………… 22 Appendix A ……………………………………………………………………………… 23 Dean’s List and More Nature of Study If you are a full time student with heavy load of courses while working to support your lifestyle, then you will be worrying where you can find the time. Undergraduate college students do stress out daily worrying about grades, studying all night, and working. Many cannot handle the stress and rely on drugs such as prescription medications to be alert and to accomplish their goals of good grades and staying up late studying. Some students believe they will not be harmed by taking Adderall or Ritalin since they are prescribed by doctors...
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...alcohol by college students has always been an issue for university campuses, but the problem has become more and more frequent and has grown in familiarity with every passing generation. In past years, the problem has not only multiplied in frequency, but has also grown in danger. Now students are abusing not only recreational drugs like Marijuana and Cocaine, but also prescription drugs like Ritalin and others like it such as Adderall. "As many as 20 percent of college students have used Ritalin or Adderall to study, write papers, and take exams..." (Jacobs 2). Medications like Ritalin are used to provide energy and concentration when a person cannot achieve them through regular means. Students take medication like Ritalin to help them deal with loss of sleep so they can stay up all night to cram and still do well in class. Students are now using similar medications like Adderall that are released over long periods of time so they can keep an energy high throughout an entire day instead of just one or two class periods. On some campuses, if you’re not using Ritalin or Adderall, you are just increasing your risk to fall behind. As one Columbia student said, “If you don’t take them, you’ll be at a disadvantage to everyone else” (Jacobs 3). This previous statement is unfortunately all too true, these types of prescription medications are so popular and commonplace that students attending certain universities believe that “now it’s almost cool to take them” (Jacobs...
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...English-123 9 January 2016 ADHD Medications: Evidence of Overprescribing ADHD is a familiar and often used term in today’s society. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Ritalin is the medication most-often mentioned when looking at the treatment of ADHD patients. “First synthesized in 1944, Ritalin is a stimulant drug and was first approved for use in adults during the mid-1950s” (Mayes, et al). According to Dr. Matthew Smith, Ritalin wasn’t even considered for use in children with behavioral issues until many years after its introduction. It was originally marketed as a “pep” pill. Advertisements were aimed towards the elderly, and housewives whom lacked the energy to get all their work done around the house. The pharmaceutical company Ciba, whom created Ritalin, did not receive approval to market the drug to underachieving school children until 1962 (Smith). ADHD later became the diagnosis for both children and adults who were observed as having concentration and behavioral issues. Whether or not too many people are being diagnosed and medicated for ADHD has certainly been a hot topic of debate for many years now. Research does show that medical professionals are overprescribing ADHD medications. Trends have indicated a rise in diagnosis along with drug treatment, the ADHD drug industry is booming, and ADHD prescriptions are easily obtained by those seeking them. Today, ADHD drugs are prescribed to both children and adults who have been diagnosed with the disorder...
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...Abstract In this research paper it famous and influential people were observed with Attention hyperactive disorder. With the use of the DSM IV our classroom text book and various internet resource this paper goes through the use of Ritalin and how people are commonly diagnosed with ADHD and do not have the disorder. Widespread use of medication and doctors immediately jump to prescribing medications such as Ritalin. Robert daydreamed so much that he was pulled out of school. Frank went into such trancelike dreams that one had to shout at him to bring him back. Equally problematic were Sam's restlessness and verbal diatribes. Virginia, too, demonstrated a tendency to talk on and on. Thomas experienced school problems, in part because of his high energy. Nick's tendency to act without thinking caused him to have several scrapes with death and near-tragedies, such as plunging to the earth from the roof of a barn, clutching an umbrella”. These are examples of situations that are common to many children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD tend to have creative and unique ways of thinking, and many problems focusing on one task, especially in school situations. Today children with this disorder are frequently prescribed medications to control their attention and/or hyperactivity. But are we doing what is in the best interest for children, or making it easier on the adults who have to deal with these children daily? In the previous stated...
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...Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Many children are treated with medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The study of alternative methods of behavior modification and treatment must be seriously considered because all medications prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have cumulative and damaging side effects. Many of these side effects are terribly dangerous for a child’s physical and mental health. Parents with children who are diagnosed with ADHD should reconsider the use of administering medication to their children. The steps to medicate a child for ADHD should be carefully researched, studied, and given great thought. Parents should not yield so easily to the pressures of physicians and educators to medicate their children. Based upon a minimal amount of historical studies, the psychiatric and mental health fields of medicine and the National Institute of Mental Health decided in 1998 that ADHD was a legitimate condition. Historical information was supported by studies at the Mayo Clinic and recently published on that web site. Studies reveal that very little is known about the causes of ADHD and that symptoms fall into the two broad categories of inattention and hyperactivity with impulsive behavior (Mayo Clinic). Symptoms that are most universally used when describing the behavior of a school-aged child suspected of having ADHD include: - Doesn’t maintain attention as well as most classmates -...
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...because people like to treat children with these conditions like they are breakable, and they shouldn’t, children with these problems should be treated like any normal person in society, just with special care. The most common known drug out there to thin out the possibility or idea of these conditions is Ritalin, there are some successes out there, but there a lot of people who take their children off of it because of the side effects and how different their children start to seem after being on the medication for a prolonged period of time. According to The American Psychological Association, a Dr. Peter Jensen conducted a period of trials on children to see if the medication actually worked and how well it worked, it came back a year later that only 60% of children treated had a success, and the rest failed, but it is said that this medication is not for everyone and it can have some severe side effects. (para. 11). The Helium (2007) website says that the pros and cons of medicating children with these behaviors can include more sleep for those medicated, and less sleep for those who go unmediated, a child can appear to be depressed more as a side effect of Ritalin, but pro would be that they would be able to focus better in school, a pro is that it can help a child for a prolonged period of time, but into adulthood doctors say that it isn’t likely that the medication will have a long term effect. (Helium, 2007). Now, my personal opinion on this matter is that...
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...having a child with a learning disability becomes extremely stressful. Nathan V’s was a very outgoing child verbally articulate and a natural born leader among his peers. Nathan V’s mother was torn between allowing her son to stay in main stream schooling and succeed socially or placing him in a resource room where his education would be the main focus. Lauren was not as fortunate as Nathan V, she did not have a social life and was not popular. Laurens was unorganized and socially isolated; she even had thoughts of hurting herself. The weight of Laurens troubles fell squarely on her parents shoulders. The specialists recommended Ritalin, however Laurens father could not allow his “baby girl” to be medicated. After enrolling Lauren into a Charter school and her falling back into the same pattern they visited the experts again. Finally agreeing to use Ritalin to control Laurens unfocused mind. Sarah Lee’s expressive language deficiency impairment was mild compared to the other children and language emersion classes helped her tremendously. Within a years’ time Sarah Lee made significant improvements. The stress on her mother was not as intense due to the fact that Sarah Lee was still receiving good grades in school. By the time Adams learning disability was caught...
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...English 1010 ADHD: Amphetamines Don’t Help Disorders There are more drug users in elementary schools today then every before. Most of these users are children around the ages of seven to fourteen. The drugs they use are highly addictive Amphetamines, similar to cocaine. The worst part is these drugs are prescribed to them for behavioral problems in school. The stimulants these children are taking are for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Because these children do not behave the way schools have described as “normal”, they are drugged with harmful synthetic stimulants. Behavior traits in children can be changed by a proper diet, adequate sleep, and positive activities at home. The principle causes of ADHD are unknown. The attempt to classify it as a disease has failed. There are four categories of disease in the medical world: infectious, contagious, traumatic, and systemic. Infectious and contagious diseases have to do with germs so we can rule those out as classifications. Traumatic indicates an outside force such as head trauma or nervous system trauma so that is also ruled out. Systemic diseases happen when the cells or chemicals of the body begin to malfunction such as cancer. This is not correct for ADHD either and so it is not a disease (Stein 23-24). Doctors turn to other causes and classifications of this disorder including genetics. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often appears to run in families...
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...1994, pp. 64-65). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder disrupts the process of learning in children as well as others in the classroom, home, and the workplace. Often, children demonstrating these behaviors are impetuous and reckless thereby disruptive in activities at home, school, and play whereby hindering the child’s or adult’s abilities to learn and perform. This paper will provide an explication of ADHD and the common symptoms along with the rates of managing, and reducing the symptoms implemented in three treatments in methods selected in treating the disorder. Furthermore, an analysis will explicate the neurophysiological underpinnings, and contemporary attitudes of the selected interventions video games, family therapy, and Ritalin. Cause and characteristics of ADHD The symptoms of ADHD affect three to five percent of children in the United States that serves as the leading cause of underachievement as well as school failures (Parksepp, 1998). In the past the disorder incurred numerous labels “such as,” hyperkinetic reaction, hyperactive syndrome, attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, and a minimal dysfunction of the brain. Males “in contrast,” to females because of underdiagnosing are more likely to endure ADHD symptoms. Nevertheless, the disorder focuses more on controlling impulses rather than attention (Seminar notes Barkley). Although the causes are unknown “however,” experts contends that ADHD is a product of genetics whereby serving as a deficiency...
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...Methylphenidate is a drug that is used to treat ADHD(Attention deficit disorder). Methylphenidate was created in 1944 by doctor Matthew Smith. ADHD is a chronic condition that is problems focusing and paying attention. Methylphenidate is also abused when typically a student falls behind in studies and or has an exam to prepare for or etc and the student uses it to stay up and to focus better.But that can be dangerous because there is risk of drug overdose,a coma and etc.The drug is also called concerta and ritalin.Some facts about this drug is.One fact is that the drug is a stimulant which means a substance that raises levels of physiological or nervousness in the body.A second fact is that the drug treats ADHD.A third fact is that a doctor...
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...Mackenzie Weiss ENC1101-Tuesday July 31, 2012 Research Paper ADHD Medications and their Abuse Today The medications used to treat Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are powerful, especially when abused, and have lasting impacts on the patients and the abusers. Treatment, in the form of prescription drugs is available to help these individuals, yet is harmful to others who either are misdiagnosed or abuse it. Additional laws and policies implemented by our elected officials will help ensure the prescribed medications reach the intended patients resulting in lower abuse. ADHD is described as the “most common neurological disorder” (“Facts”) and is a condition that affects many children and adults all over the world. The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is on the rise in this country, and the signs and symptoms are important for people to notice. ADHD first appears in children who may show a combination of disruptive problems including impulsive behavior, low self-esteem, hyperactivity, and poor performance in school/work. Children, treated for this disorder, are more likely to carry it until adolescence, but for some, ADHD may become a life-long adjustment into adulthood. Specifically for males, hyperactivity is a huge signal that they need to be tested for attention deficit. For females, the signs are the opposite, leading to many underdiagnosed women. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “boys were more likely than girls to have ever...
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