Through the disturbing side effects that jeopardize our identity, the potentially devastating long term effects, and the underappreciation of our ability to function without intelligence enhancers, the use of ADHD medications carries serious moral, medical, and physiological consequences. However, our competitive drive to optimize our performance encourages us to use this medication regardless of its substantial negative implications. Jamais Cascio, in his article “Get Smarter”, proposes the idea of this competitive drive. This essay will examine his claims and discuss where his argument loses footing, and emphasize the damage that ADHD medications are causing to users. Cascio begins his argument with a discussion of the human trait of evolution. …show more content…
This growth creates a necessity for our society to consider the effects that this disease and its treatment have on our generation. According to research by two professors at Berkeley University, they expect that the number of ADHD diagnosis will increase by nearly 47% over the next 5 years (Hinshaw and Scheffler). Not only is this a staggering rate of growth, but the large majority of the new patients will be children, and they will set the precedent for how we view the treatment of such disorders. Therefore, the significance of the issue of ADHD and its treatment cannot be underestimated, and demands attention to the moral and medical consequences of the use of ADHD …show more content…
I have been taking ADHD medication for 4 years, and even though it has allowed for me to push myself academically, I notice that it changes me in a way that scares me. I have trouble sleeping, my mood fluctuates, and I see the medication now as a necessity for me to succeed in an academic environment. So, you might ask why do I take the medication? The answer is that, as Cascio argues, I prioritize my drive to compete against my classmates in the academic world over my fear and distaste of this drug.Cascio misses many of the important consequences of ADHD medications, and, while this diminishes the validity of his argument, his understanding of the human need to optimize accurately describes a cultural behavior of consumption of drugs that has existential implications. A study that examined different opinions regarding ADHD medications from target groups of doctors, educators, parents and children with attention disorders found that all of the participants acknowledged that these drugs caused children to “ appear sad, depressed, and irritated”(Bussing et al). Teenagers also showed low interest of using pharmaceutical treatment as a solution. Yet despite this evidence, according to the National Survey of Children's Health, 69% of children diagnosed with ADHD turn to medication as a solution (National Resource for ADHD). This is significant because it shows that people with ADHD don't want to take medication, but
Due to this lack of awareness, children have a harder time dealing with their obsessions and compulsions that impact their
According to a newly published review of decades of archaeological research, humans worldwide have been using psychoactive substances since prehistoric times. What started with the fermentation of wild berries and collecting mushrooms filled with psilocybin has now evolved to one of humanities biggest industries. Pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars each year on the research and development of pills, while at the same time a college student using household chemicals is making his own substance in his dorm room. Students, servers, doctors, soldiers, lawyers, politicians, parents, artists, teachers, police officers, fire fighters, and judges were all participants in Baker’s series. Showcasing the diversity of those who have the
People are going to the hospital, they are overdosing on these medications. They get it from friends, or steal it, and they can get addicted to it. This should not happen, and something has to be done about it. There is a problem with abusing and misusing ADHD prescription drugs. People who do not have ADHD are taking some of the medications prescribed to people with ADHD.
Article Response: Java Man Malcolm Gladwell presents a description of the progression of caffeine, particularly in the Western culture in order to show the impact of caffeine in the world. Through initiating and presenting a description of the operation of Coca-Cola, Gladwell proceeds to capture the attention of the reader since most readers are familiar with the product. Moreover, Gladwell proceeds to dismiss the commercial artist referred to as Haddon Sundblom, including the scheme that was employed to enhance the popularity of Coke through the creation of caffeine for children. It is imperative to note that this initiative enhanced the popularity of Coke and made it a household beverage.
Medications are used to help focus, minimize compulsive behavior, and deal with social, behavioral, and educational problems that come with the symptoms of ADHD. A. Medications can be Stimulants, Non-Stimulants, and Antidepressants. 1. Stimulants can be Long-Acting and
According to the 2013 National College Health Assessment study, almost half of students surveyed stated they felt overwhelmed with anxiety in the last year (Novotney, 2014). These numbers continue to rise among high school students and college students around the country. It’s no question why the percentage of Adderall use among college students is also rising. Adderall is a drug commonly prescribed to treat ADHD and its symptoms; however, its use among students without the ailment is rising. The drug heightens students’ motivation, focus, and concentration (Student Health, 2016).
Studies show a “…range from 7.1% to 29% among adults, 5.3% to 55% among college students, and 1.7% to 4.5% among adolescents” (Weyandt et al. 20). The abuse of Adderall and other ‘study drugs’ e.g.
Research shows that the amount of syndrome medications prescribed to kids raised forty five p.c from 2002 to 2010. Of these medicine, Adderall was the second most-prescribed medication. Sales of the drug jumped quite three,000 p.c from 2002 to 2006. In 2010 alone, the entire variety of Adderall prescriptions flat-topped eighteen million.
Total intelligence is increased when technological advancements are combined with the human brain. One person who evaluates these very advancements, and agrees with the above statement is Clive Thompson. In his article “Smarter Than You Think: How Technology Is Changing Our Minds for the Better” he explains just how much technology in the world today has an impact on our brains. Clive Thompson’s article and his use of research reports are thought-provoking and effective.
The general argument made by Alix Spiegel in his work “Struggle For Smarts? How Eastern And Western Cultures Tackles Learning”, published on November twelfth,2012, is that the east and the west need to adjust the way that they think. In schools, the students in America view struggle as being not smart. Across the world, in places like China and Japan, struggle is viewed as a learning opportunity. Within this work, the author is arguing that we, in America, need to change.
The lack of knowledge concerning the effects Adderall has on one’s health and the misuse of the drug has led many students to believe that there are no negative side effects of the drug. The negative effects of Adderall on the human body outweigh the positive effects that are better known by college students. Ninety-five percent of the articles in media reports “mentioned at least one possible benefit of using prescription drugs for neuro-enhancement, but only fifty-eight percent mentioned any risks or side effects” (Lakhan). Since the negative effects of Adderall are not talked about much by the media not many college students are aware of what they are taking and what could happen. Negative side effects of Adderall and drugs similar to it
In one class, she observed that students "congratulated for intelligence" looked for an easy way to get a grade while those "applauded for their process" tackled more problems (Dweck 22). By this observation, Dweck proves that with different encouragement, children are more likely to succeed with a growth mindset. After another study, Dweck found that "children shun effort" because they think it means
Many children have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), and the amount of those children being prescribed a medication for their disorder has grown largely in the last couple of years. This caused concern to arise in doctors; some of them went as far to say that most children diagnosed and treated for ADHD are really just immature and undisciplined (Koplewicz). Even if this is untrue, they say that the children would do better if treated with alternative options. Children diagnosed with ADHD are in serious distress, but not because of bad teaching or parenting. It is because their brains work differently than others, and they need to be treated properly.
In Dr. Ben Michaelis’ piece “What does it mean to be smart?”, he explains the elaborate depths of intelligence and what that means for specific people. For Michaelis, being smart is having adaptability skills but he does not impose the idea that everyone cannot develop adaptability at different times during their life. Ben presents his argument using two clear examples, the lives of two people named John and Angie. Not only does he hone in on the fact that being smart is being adaptable but also how applying those skills to all life’s challenges and unexpectancies is smart.
Children with ADHD Attention Psychiatric Association says that up to 11% of children in the U.S have been diagnosed with ADHD. This is a concerning percentage considering the possibility for misdiagnosis. Many children have been misdiagnosed with ADHD due to parents being overwhelmed by their high energy children, Schools not questioning a misdiagnosis because they get more funding for a child with a mental handicap, and because doctors choose the easy way out when treating a child with high energy. The first reason why children are being misdiagnosed for ADHD because parents are being overwhelmed by their high energy children.