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Cassandra Ferguson

ENG-105

February 14, 2020

Mary Petty

Commentary Essay on the Positive Treatment from ADHD Medications

Parents and adults need to realize that there are much worse things that can happen if

ADHD is not treated than if they give their children medication. Not only will the child be

affected, but so will the rest of their family or others that surround them. Although using drugs to

help children does not sound like an acceptable route to take, not helping them with the most

effective way could harm them even more. If ADHD is not treated, children could act out against

their parents and not do well in school. Parents need to do research on which medications have

the least detrimental side effects and consider one that suits their child best. Despite the hidden

dangers of ADHD medication, it is still the best form of treatment for children and adults to

regulate their behavior because of education, relationships, and social situations.

ADHD medication is the best form of treatment for a child because of their education.

Victor B. Stolberg writes about a child named Anthony, who struggles with ADHD and had a

hard time in school. He could barely pass kindergarten because he was constantly moving and

“…he always felt like an imposter in school.” (ADHD Medications: History, Science, and Issues,

Victor B. Stolberg, 2017, page number 5) ADHD medications can have a lot of side effects,

some being more substantial than others. Many children with ADHD struggle to focus and learn

properly. A lot of parents do not agree with the idea of giving their children medication, because
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they worry about the long-term side effects. But not treating ADHD can have far worse results

for someone with this disorder than a small side effect that will wear off eventually. According

to Harvard some possible side effects that could have adults, especially parents, worried about

ADHD medications are not as worrisome as they thought. It seems children with the disorder are

not more prone to one of the side effects of medication as they state, “…the rate of sudden

cardiac death in the survey was much lower than the average among children of the same age in

the general population.” (Harvard Health Publishing, 2006, “ADHD update: New data on the

risks of medication”) They also realized after all of their discoveries, “…new findings do not

seriously challenge the consensus that most people who are properly diagnosed with ADHD will

decide that the benefits of stimulant medications outweigh the risks.” (Harvard Health

Publishing, 2006, “ADHD update: New data on the risks of medication”) It is from a pretty

outdated article, but the website is still active and other websites have had similar opinions as

theirs. While the things that kids may need to endure in order to behave correctly can be

bothersome, these are all treatable and have even been proven to wear off after the medicine

subsides. Risking these reactions is something parents want to take on because the outcome of

not treating ADHD can be extremely dangerous. Because children feel like they don’t fit in when

they are in school, this can make them prone to attempting suicide or becoming depressed.

“During months when people were taking medication, the risk of suicide attempts was 31 percent

lower across the whole group.” (Grant H. Brenner, 2020, “Can ADHD Medication Prevent

Suicide?”) While medication may not help with depression or suicidal thoughts, it can greatly

improve an adult’s or child’s way of navigating through their day to day routine, lessening their

pain.
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ADHD medication is the best form of treatment for a child because of their relationships.

People with ADHD suffer a great deal in connecting with others and having the burden of

managing their disorder. A man named Russell A. Barkley gives information and data on

relationships for those with ADHD. “…adults with ADHD are more than 5 times more likely to

be divorced currently and 15 times more likely to have ever been divorced than adults in the

general population.” (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Fourth Edition: A Handbook for

Diagnosis and Treatment, Russell A. Barkley, 2014, page number 201) ADHD is very difficult to

live with and can be problematic for others to put up with, which is why medication can be

extremely useful. Taking medications for those with ADHD can suppress it for some time,

making it easier to deal with for others and the person with the disorder. Anyone can minimize

how important a prescription is for someone with a disorder such as ADHD, but it cannot be

denied that medications can help children and adults socially and in their day to day lives.

ADHD medication is the best form of treatment for a child because of social situations. It

can be difficult for children to connect not only with family members but also with friends and

new people they meet. Most children with ADHD can be aggressive and hyperactive and

because of this they are, “…often unpopular and lack reciprocal friendships.” (Tamm, Epstein, &

Becker, 2018) There are some, however, that are the complete opposite and show, “…slow

behaviors and may be prone to anxiety, shyness, and withdrawal…” but still suffer from not

having good social skills (Tamm, Epstein, & Becker, 2018). Medications can regulate a child’s

behavior in social situations involving other children and help them think more clearly.

Treatment for ADHD can help children develop new relationships by communicating more

effectively because friendships are critical in certain times of their lives. Children need social

skills not only for friendships as children and teens but also for later on in life when they become
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adults and need to obtain a job. Medications and any other treatments are needed so children can

grow, survive, and function correctly in the modern world that they need to live in.

In conclusion, despite the hidden dangers of ADHD medication, it is still the best form of

treatment for children and adults to regulate their behavior because of education, relationships,

and social situations. Medications have side effects, but it is something children and adults need

to consider if they want to have effective results. Parents need to think about their children’s

future and developmental process as they mature to become grownups. Medication can assist in

making everyone’s lives better and easier, so their children do not suffer and neither do they.

Parents of children with this disorder need to deliberate it especially because the effects of

ADHD on a child can change their future, while the effects of a medication can change their

lives for the better.

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References

Brenner, G. H. (2020, February 12). Can ADHD Medication Prevent Suicide? [Webpage]

Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/psychiatry-the-

people/202002/medication-may-reduce-risk-suicide-people-adhd

Harvard Health Publishing (2006, October). ADHD update: New data on the risks of medication

[Webpage] Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/adhd-

update-new-data-on-the-risks-of-medication

Victor B. Stolberg (2017). ADHD Medications: History, Science, and Issues [E-Book] ISBN

9781610697255. Retrieved from: https://search-ebscohost-

com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsebk&AN=1613895&site=eds-

live&scope=site.

Russell A. Barkley (2014, October). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Fourth Edition: A

Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment [E-Book] Retrieved from:

https://books.google.com/books?

id=uB5rDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA208&dq=Impaired+interparental+relationships+in+familie

s+of+children+with+attention-deficit/hyperactivity+disorder+(ADHD):+A+meta-

analysis.&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf7or_oubnAhVO

Wq0KHd0tDiIQ6AEwAHoECAQQAg#v=onepage&q=Impaired%20interparental

%20relationships%20in%20families%20of%20children%20with%20attention-deficit

%2Fhyperactivity%20disorder%20(ADHD)%3A%20A%20meta-analysis.&f=false

Leanne Tamm, Jeffery N. Epstein, & Stephen P. Becker (2018, September). A preliminary

investigation of reaction time variability in relation to social functioning in children

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evaluated for ADHD [Article journal] Retrieved from: https://search-ebscohost-

com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2018-47950-

001&site=eds-live&scope=site