Abnormal psychology Is Ritalin over prescribed - Essay Example

2008-03-07 Critical Issue analysis: 3 parts: "Is Ritalin over prescribed" Case Study: Schizophrenia Case Study: ADD Critical Issue Analysis "Is Ritalin over prescribed" Each issue stated facts that merit attention, both stemming from extensive research and experience in the field of ADHD in children. Primarily, in the forefront of the issue is Peter R. Breggin, his background in behavior modification and intervention of crisis resulting from ADHD denotes a view of non-support of medical intervention during ADHD crisis. Secondary is Russell Barkley, who has spent years of service in the research and testing of medical crisis intervention for children suffering from symptoms relating to ADHD. Peter Breggin states that medical involvement of structuring and regulating the symptoms of ADHD, has resulted in numerous problems, such as growth development, emotional development, appetite, and mental growth. Also as a result of the dependence on medical intervention, is the lack of awareness of mental need on the parent/teacher level. During medical stimulus, the underlying mental problems within the child will go unnoticed and uncared for causing greater difficulty in the role of development and modification. Also the desperate attempt to control the balance in a classroom of students has encouraged the endorsement of Ritalin, and related methylphenide hydrochloride drugs. Parents not fully aware of the influence medical stimulation has on ADHD children, often times consent to such suggestions of intervention medically. Russell Barkley however has through research and extensive case studies has proven an improvement in overall progress in children afflicted with ADHD. Examples from parents and teachers alike have shown positive reactions to the intervention medically, Ritalin in perspective. An increase in academic success is shown in all the studies researched. Attentiveness during classroom instruction is evident in all case studies and also interaction within a classroom has shown positive improvement. Parents and teachers have praised the use of such intervention medically because of the influx of focus on assigned tasks. Also noted is the submissiveness that is displayed during the time that Ritalin is prescribed as an intervention. Generally these tendencies are needed in order to progress academically. The opinion of Peter R. Breggin is in opposition to the medical stimulation of natural chemicals to obtain a desired result within a child with ADHD. He has proven on his own accord, extensive case studies and results of side effects of methylphenidate drugs have on children with symptoms of ADHD. He feels that the natural growth hormones in a developing child is hindered and effected adversely during medical stimulation. These hormones are necessary for natural development and mental growth. Accordingly, the emotional development is also effected directly from medical intervention. Russell Barkley feels strongly in the respect of medical intervention, because of the evident progress resulting from a prescribed routine. He feels that the medical substance has no adverse effects on growth, and if regulated properly, the natural growth can resume with excellent prospects. The lack of weight gain at normal ranges of growth can be balanced within the supervised care of doctors. The support from the FDA and other noted researchers and psychiatrists throughout his practice, has applauded the use of Ritalin, and its medical achievements. Obviously, the pro side of the issue of Ritalin being overly prescribed is in the favor of Peter R. Breggin. The reason for ascertaining that fact is this: natural growth. Simply put, it has only been a few decades that the attention has been placed on children with aggressive behavior. What about prior human development Generations of children have grown from non-medically stimulated interventions. Of late the interest has been on control and submission by overly stressed teaching environments and the emphasis of parents to provide by participating in the work force. These conditions have placed undue pressure for parents and teachers alike to maintain a routine of order within their respective environments. The positive aspects of non-medical treatment, is the child itself. For the child to grow naturally, the hormones and chemicals need to be unaffected by the stimulus of a synthesized chemical, namely Ritalin. The growth spurts will be within normal perimeters and the weight gain will progress naturally. No side effects would be shown, such as psychotic behaviors and depressive states. However, non-medical intervention can cause the disturbance of the classroom structure, and crimes related to children who have grown into adulthood have been very high. Due to the lack of behavior interventions available, this trend will continue without medical help. The con side of the issue is from the standpoint of Russell Barkley. Any chemical stimulus can result in the damage of any developing brain, as stated by Breggin. The widespread use of Ritalin, or other methlyphendate related drugs for the inhibition of ADHD, has instilled in teachers and parents a dependence on medical intervention. Yet, the use of Ritalin has show strong results in maintaining ADHD. Submissiveness and attentiveness has been the most obvious signs of improvement after a routine of Ritalin prescription. And teachers are better able to maintain a balance of teaching, and the affected child is able to follow the program implemented by the teacher more easily. Parents also have noted the improvement. Peace within the home due to the reduction of frustration in dealing with ADHD affected children. Yet, the dependence on medical use has made it convenient to subdue the problem adults have difficulty dealing with. Medical use of Ritalin has been the money machine, feeding off the weaknesses of tired parents and teachers. The production and federal support of the drug known as Ritalin, has come with a number of offensive means to gain approval. The addictive properties of Ritalin are quietly undocumented fear of reprisal is the cause. The chemical stimulation of Ritalin has shown definite mental side effects as well, such as: depression, anxiety, headache, and insomnia. Often in numerous cases psychotic behavior has come to the fore. Heart problems have shown up in a number of cases because of the growth inhibition Ritalin has on its subject, heart muscles are unable to develop in proper growth spurts to maintain a healthy heart. Both authors are well credited with experience and education. Their pro-active nature in the solution of ADHD in children (and adults) is well known and documented. Both have spent decades of time and energy in the intervention of problems related to ADHD. They have both written numerous articles and books on different subjects, taught at respected schools, were used as authorities on many cases through the media, court systems and mental health professionals. They have both established web-sites that have been used by many inquisitive individuals in need of education on the use of Ritalin and other drugs. They have received many honorary credits for their achievements, thus proving their respectability in a skeptical field. Peter Breggin has been credited with the following according to his web page: He graduated with honors from Harvard, and went on to other respected universities obtaining degrees relating to mental health and psychiatry. In the late nineteen sixties he was apart of the National Institute of Mental Health for a while, and then went on to his own practice. In class action suits against Prozac and Ritalin he has taken an active role in the exposure of the problems resulting from such drugs. He has appeared on several famous programs of media, and written nineteen plus professional books, along with numerous scientific articles. His efforts have not been met without doubts of trustworthiness, as a result of his bias against Ritalin. (Obtained from the website: www.breggin.org) Russell Barkley has also received merit for his work in the mental health field. He has accomplished many things throughout his career as a scientist, educator, professional, and practitioner of ADHD. His research in ADHD has deemed him many awards since nineteen seventy-seven. He has been apart of many research programs and universities in mental health. He has published over twenty books, along with over two hundred plus scientific articles relating to his specialty: ADHD. He has gained the trust of many professionals and educators alike. (Information obtained from the website www.russellbarkley.org) I happen to agree with Peter Breggin. The reason is because thousands of years have gone by without the need to medically solve ADHD. The society that we have created today has in effect stimulated the need to solve and label ADHD as a problem. ADHD is a manageable problem, schools and parents in the right team effort can create much good in the child affected by ADHD. Perhaps curriculums could be readjusted to fit the child with ADHD, perhaps doing two things at once, hands-on assignments, one-on-one teaching. The nature of the classroom causes within a child with ADHD a jailed-like feeling. If time and study was to be spent researching behavior modification and education alternatives, the development of ADHD affected children will escalate. Contemporary research points to the Barkley argument as the best route for managing ADHD in children. Not only do web pages and books praise his method, but professionals that have been in the industry have seen the positive aspects of Ritalin in work. The media, science reports, and magazines point in the direction of Barkley when fronted with the problem of ADHD. Case Report Schizophrenia The initial symptoms displayed delusions involving the attack of the individual and the people cherished by the individual. Her symptoms were evident by her actions resulting from the thought stimulus of her delusion, pacing, anxiety, expression of fear verbally and written. She felt that her church was undergoing attack, and on other occasions she felt that television programs where plotting their attack against her. I think that a measure of loose thinking should be added to the list of symptoms, only because of her conversation with the person interviewing her. She had several thought gaps that had to be assessed prior to speech, and she did state things that were not related to the whole of her comment. Overall other symptoms that were not consistent, was the delusions of grandeur. No indication on her part expressed that she could solve the problems of the world, however the doctors may have assumed the symptom at the onset of her therapy. Yet the symptom did not reveal itself in the interview. The things I gleaned from the case study was that she needed the group setting to progress, she several times directed attention to her liking of social sciences and psychology, group/people related subjects. Also with a heavy background in church settings denoted that she had a very stable social structure while growing up. Had these points been observed from the onset of crisis, the group therapy would have been more advantageous to her rehabilitation progress. Case Report ADD In the case of ADD the first step would be to establish a routine and stick to it, consult with trained professionals and counselors. If the behavior intervention is maintained along with good parental support and regulation, then good short term results will be evident. Long-term goals would include an assessment of educational goals, social interaction, possible employment opportunities and the skills needed to be involved in such employment. Counseling should continue, along with regular visits to the professional addressing the client with ADD. Peer groups should be encouraged to maintain good social skills. The strategy of counseling seems to be more fitting in this case. The reason is because such problems related to ADD can become discouraging. And the progress made by the client may go unnoticed, by the client. If the client can see his progress then he will feel more secure in his efforts to maintain any therapy. A good model of progress would be an understanding peer group, fitting to the nature of the individual affected. Community interaction, events involving other clients with the same challenge, group meetings, and hobbies shared with others can induce a good setting for the person affected with ADD. References Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Abnormal Psychology 4th Edition Halgin, Richard P. Website reference: www.breggin.org Website reference: www.mhhe.com/socscience/psychology/faces/bigvid Website reference: www.russellbarkley.org Read More