Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common diagnosis. However, misdiagnoses lead to dangerous outcomes. One of the risks of ADHD medication is it opens the door to other substances.
ADHD is under scrutiny today. This is due to high levels of misdiagnosis. ADHD is too common and healthy kids are being wrongly prescribed. In addition, this exposes kids to the risks of ADHD drugs. Stimulant meds are accepted as commonplace. Therefore, many are unaware that the drugs can have dangerous side effects.
What Do ADHD Medications Do To Brain Chemistry?
If one is diagnosed with ADHD, the assumption is that their brain chemistry is imbalanced. Hence, the stimulant calms them. However, if you don’t have ADHD, these drugs do something different. They stimulate. The risks of ADHD medication are as follows:
- Rapid or irregular heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Disorientation
- Hallucinations
- Addiction
- Overdose
- Death
ADHD Meds: Used to Enhance Brain Function?
Many teens use ADHD drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall. Research shows that 35 percent of high school and college-age kids use these drugs to stay awake. They want to increase their ability to focus on homework. In some cases, doctors prescribe stimulants as cognitive enhancers. However, there is insufficient research into the safety of this practice.
Do these drugs help? Much of the recent research shows that these drugs are dangerous. Dr. Eric Racine from the Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal and Université de Montréal, explains:
“With uncertain benefits and clear harms, it is difficult to support the notion that physicians should prescribe a medication to a healthy individual for enhancement purposes.”
Risks of ADHD Medication
Even if your child is not taking ADHD drugs, friends are most likely misusing the drugs. Indeed, most teens get drugs from peers. Therefore, pay attention to a teen’s habits. Is he/she staying up late to complete projects? Does he/she seem manic? Early intervention is key. If you’d like support, we at Newport Academy are here to help.
The following segment from Democracy Now features experts in teen mental health. This includes clinicians concerned about stimulant drugs. Watch and learn more about the risks of pharmaceuticals.
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