In
an article in Times Magazine, Dr.
Richard Saul reports on the fallacy that if someone is diagnosed with ADHD they
need a stimulant (medication) to help them conquer their attention deficit,
hyperactivity, etc. Saul also states that ADHD encompasses far-reaching array of symptoms, most of which do not require ADHD medication. With this
large amount of symptoms, “the entire U.S. population could potentially
qualify,” as having ADHD. However, there are, as Saul states, people who have
severe symptoms and help is genuinely needed though usually not with the use of
stimulants and medications. His reasoning is that the brain soon comes to rely
too much on the use of stimulants to stay concentrated and, eventually, may be
unable to keep concentrated on its own. Moreover, there are risks that come
with these medications that include sleep deprivation, appetite suppression,
and addiction in addition to side affects such as, “increased anxiety,
irritable or depressed mood, severe weight loss…”
Saul
emphasizes at the end of the article how the symptoms that people associate
with ADHD can be solved without the use of medication by searching for causes
such as lack of sleep, lack of exercise, lack of food, too much caffeine, excessive use of cell
phone, kids and adults not being challenged enough in their schools or jobs.
This brings up an interesting scenario where one doctor, upon receiving a
patient who claims he has, say, persistent allergies, immediately resorts to
prescribing medications/some treatment to “cure” the patient of his malady.
However, another doctor who, upon receiving a patient with the exact same
“sickness,” resorts to asking him multiple questions about what he did recently
and what recent changes have occurred in his life. In the process of this
interrogation, the doctor finds out that the patient has planted some new
plants in his garden (that he has never planted before) and the doctor suggests
getting rid of these new plants. There is still a large amount to learn about
the brain and its functions, but since we do know that it is sensitive, it is
better to be more reluctant and cautious in prescribing a medication to someone
who does not possess sever symptoms.
This is a very interesting topic. I think many people have been medicated unnecessarily, and a few simple changes to their daily lives could have fixed the problem. However, I believe that some cases require medicine if no other cause can be found.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought this about ADHD. Some cases of this disorder definitely require more help, but whether it's medication they truly need, I'm not sure. I believe it can change, if you work at getting to the cause of it.. However, I feel if the people believe Ritalin will help them and if they would rather take that than get to the root of the problem, then good for them. But I think different solutions to this should definitely be looked in to, because medicine is only temporary.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I feel like many people are being lazy and want an excuse to not do something. Often its ADHD or ADD. We shouldn't be so quick to diagnose someone with an illness and/or medication unless it be deemed necessary.
ReplyDeleteI believe this method to apply not only to ADHD medication but medication in general. I find it dangerous that Advil, Tylenol, and IB Profin is so easily provided to society. We become dependent on medication for a sore knee or headache when honestly our body is not healing, its becoming weak. Then these aches increase and happen more often so we take more and more of these pills
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