Effects of Medications

Effects of Medications

What happens to those that are diagnosed with ADHD and medicated?

There is a major debate as to how necessary, and helpful ADHD medication is to those diagnosed with ADHD.

Medicating Children:

A major focus of the effects of medication can be seen through the debate of what happens to a child that is prescribed and taking ADHD medication? Erler (2013) points out two major flaws that may occur with a child taking these medications. These precautions are the possibility of undermining a child’s capacity for moral agency and a threat to a child’s “authetic self.”

A major effect of taking ADHD medication is that the patient many times will report that he or she is better able to control his or her responses to situations, which is directly related to a person’s moral agency. This means that there are hesitations with respect to medication and the effect it has on a child being able to decide what is right or wrong without this medication. Unfortunately at this time there is not quite enough information to decide whether or not this is true; however, there is plenty of research from those taking this medication that support the idea that they “feel” more in control after taking medication. If a child grows up his or her entire life thinking that they do not have the skills to be in control with out this medication they risk the chance of losing learning how to have self-control. A child specifically, is extremely impressionable and without the proper time to learn his or her own moral agency could be negative in the future.

The article describes this effect as possibly detrimental when this child grows up and is no longer seen as a child, but rather an adult who is unable to have control (or believe they do not have control) over what is right or wrong without this medication. An issue with medicating children is that they might not have the chance to learn on their own important skills, like self-control or a moral agent without medication.

A second fear of children taking medication for ADHD is that it might pose a threat to his or her “authentic self (Erler, 2013).” Erler explains that this threat can be alleviated typically by the medication wearing off and returning back to “baseline” at the end of the day unless the patient has taken another dose. One way a subject in the article by Loe and Cuttino (2008) suggest is a way not to ruin the “authentic self” is by keeping on a regime every day of taking medication and not having to have two lives (medicated and non-medicated).

The Erler article describes results from this study as subjective depending on how the side effects are phrased to both the patient and parent. A major component that is missing from this article is whether or not the results from the patients are actually what they feel and think or if they are just repeating what parents and doctors have told them will happen because of this medication. When dealing with children who for the most part will believe what their parents tell them it is hard to decipher what are their own responses or what is being told to them.

Overall it is most important to realize and understand the clear social and cultural issues of giving young children medication without proper provisions. Nowhere in this study does it discuss the idea of having children seek psychotherapy to avoid these possible negative side effects. This study suggests that culturally professionals and parents would rather mitigate a situation when a child is young to make sure that they behave or focus better for the time being then concentrate on the possible negative future side-effects.

            Rafalovich (2001) looks into the factors that come into play after a child that is diagnosed and after he or she begins taking medication. The author questions the effect it will have with regard to dependency and the parent. Similar to the risk of undermining a child’s moral agency (Erler, 2013), putting a child on medication may also increase dependency on parents or other caregivers. Rafalovich (2001) suggests that a possible outcome of this is that children will depend on adults in order to manage and control his or her disorder therefore in the future deeming them unable to do this on their own.

Rafalovich (2001) suggest that clinical issues of the diagnosis itself should not be the main focus of parents and professionals. Rather the article states that there should be a “focus on domestic relations associated with ADHD.” If a child does need ADHD medication than the proper relationship should be created and instead of having a parent always be responsible. The article suggests that without trying to have the child somewhat accountable for this the negative consequences of dependency may occur.

Medication and College Kids

            Growing up as a child with ADHD or “hyperactivity” can be seen as a tool for helping the child rather than a way to get a “leg up.” Due to increase of diagnosis and loose terms surrounding what ADHD is there are now many college aged kids attending elite universities prescribed ADHD medication. Loe and Cuttino (2008) look into the question of how do students at these colleges see themselves with respect to their own “pharmaceutical use.” The article describes that today students in college are involved in a “rapid-fire culture” where attention is split and different things, such as technology, are constantly stimulating the mind.

            Students in college are different than young children in schools, with respect to that they can make decisions on their own whether or not to take this medication. More than that the article looks into the pressures that come from attending an elite university and the effects it might have on a patient wanting to continue staying on this medication.

            Many of the subjects within this article identify as “white and middle upper middle or upper class.” This statistic alone shows that the ones most affected by the problems of ADHD are the ones with the most economic resources. This is interesting to note because it brings up the idea that maybe this children are not meant to be pushed so hard, but rather because of their economic status the parents of these students expectations are too high.

            There is so no true answer of how legitimate the diagnosis of ADHD is especially with respect to college students. Some students follow a strict regime of taking the medication everyday, while others only take it during the school week or when they have a lot of work.