The controversy of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is loaded with implications in the field of medicine. In the past, many children who were disruptive or loud were considered both difficult to discipline and undeserving of attention or they were the products of parents who did not know how to raise a child, and were pitied. Those children who were unable to focus while in school were labeled as slow learners and more often than not, looked down upon by others of the same age.

Today, we have discussed that such behavior is often diagnosed as symptoms of ADHD. ADHD children are generally forgetful, disruptive, impulsive, easily distracted and hyperactive. More adults are being diagnosed with ADHD, since this ever-present condition continues into adulthood, shown by the increasing volume of research conducted in the field of medicine. ADHD is a hereditary disorder, with nearly five percent of the cases being the result of a physical or chemical brain injury endured while in the womb.

The diagnosis of ADHD breeds the controversy surrounding the condition. Since some normal childhood, behavior that can get out of control because of poor upbringing, some psychologists and parents insist that the behavioral patterns materialize as ADHD. As a result, they recommend that children, who have been diagnosed with ADHD, not take medication, rather that they should be controlled and counseled. On the hand, regarding ADHD as a real disorder, it maintains that medication be given and continued as it can temper the symptoms of the disorder.

Those who suffer from it have to take medication all their lives, since there is no real means to treat ADHD permanently. Arrangements such as this calls for many questions, especially when concern with safety. There are different medications for ADHD, as you may know, and some of them were primarily used to treat narcolepsy by directing certain parts of the nervous system.

As we discussed in the previous chapter such medications, which include the popular Concerta and Ritalin , can actually have dreadful side effects, such as arrhythmia, or irregular heart rhythm, increased heart rate or severe palpitations, increased blood pressure as well as increased risk of stroke. The USFDA or United States Food and Drug Administration, has studied the influence of ADHD drugs and have them stamped with a black box warning. To be precise, such drugs are regulated and can be prescribed, however strong caution must be exercised when such drugs are taken. Another advisory panel has evaluated evidence pointing to long-term psychiatric changes and cardiovascular risks in children who take ADHD medication, in addition to the studies of the FDA. The panel found that such drugs might possibly increase the risk of hallucinations, aggressive behavior, psychosis and mania in ADHD children.

Even though psychiatric specialists caution people about making literal interpretations of these findings, there is still a good bit of controversy surrounding the use of these drugs. According to the documents presented to the second evaluating panel, the consequence of psychiatric diseases being deteriorated because of ADHD medication was exceptionally small; and that many of the cardiovascular diseases, such as higher blood pressure, arose because of existing heart-related conditions in persons suffering from ADHD.

Since these medications have proven to be safe so far, despite the risks, doctors and psychiatrists continue to recommend ADHD medications. More than a good number of other medications that have long been approved and are currently being prescribed, in fact there is a great deal of research and literature available concerning ADHD medications. ADHD patients are regularly monitored closely, for safety while these medications are being administered. Some of these medications can stunt the growth pattern of young ADHD children; therefore, they are measured and weighed regularly, while taking their ADHD medications.

Medication for ADHD may induce hallucinations; consequently, some parents are concerned with addiction or long term effects in ADHD children. It is true that stopping the medication can stop the hallucinations. However, it is appointed to the physician to determine when medication should be discontinued, parents of ADHD children are cautioned concerning the making up of their own procedures of changing the medication on their own.

Likewise, ADHD treatment does not end with ADHD medication. A course of therapy treatment such as behavior modification, counseling and special education goes hand in hand with the use of medication. You should consult with your doctor regularly on the medication options, treatments and obligations that are available if you or your children suffer with ADHD. You should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages as well as the side effects associated with the medication procedures and treatments by doing as much research as possible, into those that interest you. You cannot go wrong as long as you are well informed about ADHD in children and adults. Learning all that you can about ADHD and its symptoms as well as the things that might bring some benefits in easing the discomforts of such a disorder are long term, however ADHD can be eased for those who suffer from this condition as well as providing a peace of mind for ADHD parents. Keep in mind however, until there is a cure for ADHD, there will always be controversy surrounding the condition.