Ritalin: Examining Benefits of ADHD Treatment with Methylphenidate Medication - Essay Sample

Introduction

Ritalin refers to a prescription used to address the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Ritalin is also referred to as methylphenidate and is classified under the provisions of Drugs Enforcement Administration as a schedule II narcotic (Controlled Substance Schedules, n.d.). Psychostimulant methylphenidate medication is used frequently to treat ADHD in children (Storebø et al., 2018). Numerous researchers have taken an interest in examining the associated benefits of Ritalin and the related adverse effect of the prescription. The main concern is whether the children are consuming too much Ritalin and how the usage is related to the impact, as discussed in this review.

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ADHD is a common psychological disorder in children and teenagers, with a prevalence rate of three to five percent in 2009 (Haertling et al., 2014). By the year 2011, around 11 percent of the United States children had been diagnosed with ADHD from which, two-thirds received pharmacotherapy. This represented an increase of about 41 percent from 2003 (Haertling et al., 2014). By 2016, about six out of every ten children had ADHD and at least one other behavioral condition (CDC, 2019). This translated to about 6.1 million by the end of the year 2016, representing about 9.4 percent (CDC, 2019). Among the data is 388,000 infants were aged between two to five years and four million were aged between six to 11 years. Three million were aged between 12 and 17 years ‌ (CDC, 2019). Boys have a higher prevalence rate compared to girls representing 12.9 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively (CDC, 2019).

Based on the statistics above, it can be inferred that the higher the rate of ADHD among the children, the higher the prescription rates. A CDC (2016) report for the treatment statistics for ADHD asserted that about three in every 4 United States children diagnosed with ADHD receive medication, by 2016 (CDC, 2019). A national parent survey conducted the same year indicated that on the medication, and behavioral treatment for the children aged two to 17 years with current ADHD, 62 percent were on medication, with 18 percent being aged between two and five years. 69 percent of the children receiving treatment are between six to 11 years, and 62 percent were in the age category of 12 to 17 years (CDC, 2019).

At the same time, about 47 percent received behavioral treatments with the children aged between two to five years representing 60 percent, 51 percent being aged between six to 11 years, and 42 percent being aged between 12 to 17 years (CDC, 2019). Combined, the statistics show that 77 percent of the children were getting treatment. The same report further indicates that approximately 30 percent of the children were on medication alone, and a further 15 percent were receiving behavioral therapy alone. However, 32 percent of children with ADHD were receiving medication and behavioral treatments.

These statistics are worrying, and it is safe to say that too many children are receiving Ritalin, a drug that is under schedule II. The danger in this is, it is possible that with so many children under the medication, they may be likely to transfer the same to their peers. At the same time, a report by science daily (n.d.) indicates that constant treatment with methylphenidate during childhood increases the risks of using antidepressants during their teen or adult years. Parents, doctors, and educators need to be aware of the effects of the prolonged usage of MPH-based medication as a predictor for the subsequent antidepressant usage. There is a need for systemic follow up for the children who have had the prescription before the age of eight years to identify the underlying behavioral and emotional dysregulation to address the possibility of the withdrawal effects.

Conclusion

There is growing concern over the usage of Ritalin among the children aged between two to 12 years. The increase is based on the rising cases of ADHD diagnosis and other medication. The statistics are boosted further by increasing behavioral conditions and treatment. Based on the statistics, it can be concluded that the children are consuming too much Ritalin and being a scheduled drug under DEA schedule II, the consumption needs to be monitored and regulated. If possible, alternatives can be proposed to prevent the possibility of exposing the children to the usage of antidepressants in their later years.

References

‌Controlled Substance Schedules. (n.d.). Www.Deadiversion.Usdoj.Gov. Retrieved June 6, 2020, from https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/#:~:text=Schedule%20II%2FIIN%20Controlled%20Substances%20(2%2F2N)&text=Other%20Schedule%20II%20narcotics%20include

‌ CDC. (2019, October 15). Data and Statistics About ADHD | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html#:~:text=About%203%20in%204%20US%20children%20with%20current%20ADHD%20receive%20treatment&text=About%2030%25%20were%20treated%20with

Haertling, F., Mueller, B., & Bilke-Hentsch, O. (2014). Effectiveness and safety of a long-acting, once-daily, two-phase release formulation of methylphenidate (Ritalin® LA) in school children under daily practice conditions. ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders, 7(2), 157–164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-014-0154-x

ScienceDaily. (n.d.). Childhood methylphenidate treatment predicts antidepressant use during adolescence. Retrieved June 6, 2020, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190327112713.htm

Storebø, O. J., Pedersen, N., Ramstad, E., Kielsholm, M. L., Nielsen, S. S., Krogh, H. B., Moreira-Maia, C. R., Magnusson, F. L., Holmskov, M., Gerner, T., Skoog, M., Rosendal, S., Groth, C., Gillies, D., Buch Rasmussen, K., Gauci, D., Zwi, M., Kirubakaran, R., Håkonsen, S. J., … Gluud, C. (2018). Methylphenidate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents - assessment of adverse events in non-randomized studies. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd012069.pub2