Are ADHD Medications Overly Prescribed for Children? Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 717 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1+

Page 1 of 2

AD/HD

Today, diagnosis has improved for the condition known as AD/HD, or Attention Deficit Disorder. However, many parents are dismayed after getting the diagnosis to find that the only thing their insurance company will pay for is medication. Parents aren't always comfortable using medication at first, and some would like to try behavioral strategies before going to medications. Insurance companies, however, often will pay for medication, but not pay for behavioralists or psychologists, or only pay part of the bill. Unless the parent can afford to make up the difference, their choices are then limited.

For instance, an insurance Web site on AD/HTD devotes 1450 very specific words about medication, including specific information on establishing doses and when to try a different med, but only about 450 words with no real specific suggestions and less compelling arguments for its use. The message insurance companies get is that medication works and behavior management doesn't (AAP, 2001). In fact it is true, according to the statistics, that medications work better than behavioral interventions, but virtually all experts recommend the use of both, while many insurance companies will pay for medication alone, even though not all children do well on medication.

Stuck Writing Your "Are ADHD Medications Overly Prescribed for Children?" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Are ADHD Medications Overly Prescribed for Children? Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



Learning to deal with the fact that one's child has AD/HD is like starting a long journey when you don't know the final destination. Especially when a child is first diagnosed, many parents have significant concerns about the use of medications and want the least invasive treatment possible for their children. AD/HD is diagnosed by observing behaviors, and it makes sense that behavioral interventions might have a significant impact.

Feeding into parents' reasonable concerns are repeated media reports that the medications are dangerous in some way. Significant evidence exists that this concern has its roots in an organization opposed to all psychiatric and psychological interventions under all circumstances, a stance most people would not accept (Sappell & Welkos, 1990). The group has specifically targeted Ritalin because of its history of use in children. This makes it harder for many parents to accept what doctors say about medications and AD/HD simply on faith, and parents know that research is made up….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Are ADHD Medications Overly Prescribed For Children " (2004, February 26) Retrieved May 21, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/adhd-medications-overly-prescribed-children-165615

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Are ADHD Medications Overly Prescribed For Children " 26 February 2004. Web.21 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/adhd-medications-overly-prescribed-children-165615>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Are ADHD Medications Overly Prescribed For Children ", 26 February 2004, Accessed.21 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/adhd-medications-overly-prescribed-children-165615
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example