Childhood ADHD Medication Usage Increases by 46 Percent; Dr. Bonnie Cautions Links to Cheating and Bullying

(PRWEB) June 29, 2012 With a 46 percent increase in prescriptions for drugs treating ADHD (Reuters, June 18th http://on.msnbc.com/MUJIlK), family therap

Non-Medication-Treatment-for-ADHD-Children

(PRWEB) June 29, 2012

With a 46 percent increase in prescriptions for drugs treating ADHD (Reuters, June 18th http://on.msnbc.com/MUJIlK), family therapist Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil worries that kids are using these drugs to get ahead in school - which she sees as a form of cheating - and that this narcissistic behavior could lead to bullying. "What is this world coming to when we're trying to get kids to center on themselves, to compete so strongly, and to feel like they have to turn to medication for help doing this instead of looking inside themselves as a way to do better?" Dr. Bonnie wonders. She suggests it has to do with our quick-fix disposable society - adults self-medicate and take things like Ambien, and are passing on their legacy of how to cope with stress.

Dr. Bonnie believes this shows a break down in how families deal with stress and support one another and points out that this type of behavior is a form of cheating. Perhaps parents and kids are worried because competition is soaring - they feel they have to over-perform to get into good schools or find a good job. But Dr. Bonnie cautions: "There isn't much difference between this and getting someone to impersonate the student to take the test. Both are cheating by enhancing the student's ability. What kind of message is society sending these kids when they feel this type of pressure to excel and perform to the point where they take drugs and self-medicate to get ahead at school?"

This form of cheating is especially dangerous because students probably don't even know they're doing it. It's so subtle and they are worried about excelling in school due to societal, parental, and competitive pressures from other students which can be wrapped up in the student's self-worth based on the school they get into.

When Dr. Bonnie treats adult patients who self-medicate they are frequently suffering from a biochemical craving for connection - a disorder that pushes them toward a thrill-seeking high and often plays out in alcoholism, financial infidelity, affairs, or other types of addiction. "Seeing prescription drug addiction in teens is troubling at such a young age and the fact that they're engaging in this behavior in order to outperform their peers in school can show a misguided ambition," says Dr. Bonnie.

Use of Medications for ADHD Increases Risk of Drug Abuse

Report on increase in the use of mental health medications.

Drugs for ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Drug ...

... such as Art Therapy, or other methods that do not require medication

Source : http://imentalhealth.net/mental-health-disorders/personality-disorders/childhood-adhd-medication-usage-increases-by-46-percent-dr-bonnie-cautions-links-to-cheating-and-bullying

Related video about Childhood ADHD Medication Usage Increases by 46 Percent; Dr. Bonnie Cautions Links to Cheating and Bullying

Illicit Use of ADHD ADD Prescription Drugs Adderall

Illicit Use of ADHD ADD Prescription Drugs Adderall Non-medical use of prescription drugs is more frequent in college students than the use of any other illicit drug only behind marijuana Arria Childhood ADHD Medication Usage Increases by 46 Percent; Dr. Bonnie Cautions Links to Cheating and Bullying