Understanding Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD): To Medicate or not to Medicate?

Keeping on the same topic, both were asked what alternatives they would recommend for treating ADHD. This was the first question that both Hall and Breeding agreed on. They both mentioned nutritional because nutrition might be a reason children have behavioral problems. Hall further explained how while there is no solid science that says there is one specific diet, food additives should be avoided and sugar intake should be decreased. She mentioned that supplements can be helpful such as Omega 3, which helps produce cell membrane which in turn helps the brain function. Coaching a child was also recommended by Hall. Coaching a child, she explained, would provide the child with structure in their life. When being coached, children are helped with their homework and mnemonics. Both experts believed that working with parents is beneficial to the child. Breeding mentioned that he usually helps parents because children are too young to understand what is occurring. By explaining to the parents things like how to provide structure in their children’s life, like having the same morning routine, the child would be receiving help. Counseling said to be effective in children if they were having behavioral issues because of emotional problems. Breeding elaborated by saying that there are numerous reasons why some label children with having ADHD even though there is no such thing. He mentioned that people make the assumption that our current school system works for everyone when it does not. Sometimes children develop behavior problems that become alleviated once they transfer schools or even something just as simple as a change in teacher.

When asked if it is possible for the FDA to regulate stimulant drugs both interviewees answered yes. Hall declared that while she does think it is possible to regulate stimulant drugs, she feels that they are being regulated adequately and there is no need for more stringent regulations. She added that medication is not always the right path for everyone and that medicines do have negative side effect but that there are currently many ways to test for ADHD in a manner that is very reliable. She mentioned that a provisional diagnosis has to occur, the child’s background and history must be examined, and that neuropsychological testing should be administered. On the other hand, Breeding said that it is possible to regulate stimulants but in principle only. He mentioned that the government could do whatever they want and that while the FDA is supposed to be and independent agency it is not because they rely to heavily on drug companies for money. He mentioned that the best way to regulate the stimulant drugs is to actually ban the drugs and make them illegal altogether, only for children though.

The black box warning was mentioned earlier in the paper, but just to reiterate it is an intense warning that goes on prescription drug boxes. Hall felt that the FDA should not enforce black box warnings for there is not sufficient evidence that says the medications alone are causing negative side effects. She stated that the risk of stimulants for people with ADHD is not higher than those people that take stimulants and do not have ADHD, the risk are unclear. Breeding, on the other hand, thought that the black box warning was a step in the right direction. He stated that the use of the black box warning was an acknowledgment that the drugs can cause suicide.

Both interviewees were asked to give their expert opinion on a tentative solution to the problem. The solution that was presented to them was that the black box warning should be used more and that a medical pamphlet should accompany the drugs that are being prescribed. Hall disagreed with this solution by saying that the black box should not be used for there is not enough evidence that says the side effects are being caused by the stimulants. Instead she proposed regulating the media. She said that the media’s treatment of ADHD blows everything out of proportion which in turn scares parents away from medication that may be needed. By mentioning how the media’s role affects how ADHD is viewed by the public, Hall introduced a new perspective to this paper. Hall was enthusiastic while answering the questions and was careful not to give me any false information so she did not speak on topics she was unsure of. Although she was very knowledgeable about ADHD itself, she did not feel too certain about giving me information pertaining to the medications. She made it clear that since she did not prescribe medicine, she was not the person to be answering some of the questions. Hall was very professional in answering all the questions and always gave a great amount of information in support of her answers.

Unlike Hall, Breeding did agree with the solution but to a certain extent. While he thought the use of the black box warning and the medical pamphlets were a great idea, he did have concerns that the pamphlets may be biased depending on where the information was from. He did state though that drug makers are usually very good about putting accurate information on medicine labels. Breeding was extremely knowledgeable about the topic of ADHD as well as the controversy over stimulant drugs use in children. He referred to some of his own books that he has written as well as some pamphlets that he made. The interview with Breeding reaffirmed this writer’s tentative solution.

After having completed extensive research, interviewing experts in ADHD, and having analyzed and contemplated all of the information, this writer supports the enforcement of more stringent regulations on stimulants for children with ADHD. Although Hall mentioned that a black box warning was unnecessary and that some parents do get scared off from using stimulants Dr. Breeding made a good point by saying that parents should be aware of any risks that are even slightly possible. Both interviewees thought that parents should be informed about the stimulants which is why this writer feels that enforcing black box warnings and giving medical pamphlets to parents might help with better regulating stimulant drugs because parents will be able to make a more informed decision and will not just rely on their doctor’s opinion.

Conclusion and Author's Remarks

This author’s arguments are supported by obligations, values, consequences, and normative principles that are significant in my life. As a psychology major, and someone who is pursuing a doctorate in counseling psychology, this writer feels that they are obligated to help keep children safe and healthy. Children cannot speak for themselves so this writer feels that they obligated to be their voice. This writer’s values further strengthen this writer’s opinions because they value health, safety, self-reliance and education. Analyzing different consequences also helped this writer make a decision. By not regulating stimulant drugs more stringently, people who need medicine will be able to have access to it easier. However, if stimulants do become more stringently regulated, people will be more aware of what is being put in their bodies and of the negative side effects involved. Finally, normative principles were also considered when thinking of a solution. This opinion was formed based on the Principle of Paternalism. The Principle of Paternalism states that a legitimate goal of public authority is minimizing or lessening needless human suffering. A human being’s health should be prioritized over capitalism of pharmaceuticals. Even if there is not sufficient evidence that points directly to stimulant drugs saying that they are the sole cause of negative side effects, there is enough evidence that say that they can be the cause of some negative side effects. This is the main reason that thought of including medical pamphlets occurred because if people do become scared of the black box warning, they can read for themselves what each side effect is and how prevalent the side effects are.

For the purpose of civic engagement, the author presented this research to numerous Child Development classes that were studying ADHD. It was beneficial for students to hear both sides of an issue instead of just learning about the one side that is presented to them or forming their opinions based on the media.

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References

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