Has your child been prescribed ADHD medication by the doctor because he has difficulty paying attention? Or have you heard of a friend's child taking it? These medications are very helpful when taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor. However, a new study has revealed a dangerous trend in some school-age children using them incorrectly. As parents, it is important for us all to be aware of this.
First of all, what is ADHD?
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that is being talked about a lot in our country right now. Simply put, it is a condition related to the development of the nervous system. A child with this can have three main problems:
1. Difficulty maintaining attention (Inattention): Difficulty maintaining attention on one task at a time. Easily distracted.
2. Hyperactivity : Difficulty staying in one place. Constantly running around, jumping, and restless.
3. Impulsivity: Acting and speaking suddenly without thinking.
These characteristics can have a major impact on things like their academic work and relationships with friends.
Why are stimulants prescribed for ADHD?
A doctor may prescribe a stimulant medication , such as Ritalin, to a child with ADHD. Now you might think, "Giving a hyperactive child another stimulant will only make him more difficult, right?" But the opposite is actually true.
Think of it like putting glasses on someone who is blind. Just like a mirror helps focus the eyes, these medications balance the chemicals (neurotransmitters) that control attention in the brain, remove unnecessary things, and help focus attention on one spot.
This makes it much easier for the child to calmly study, follow instructions, and successfully complete daily tasks.
What does "misuse" mean? Why do children do that?
" Medication misuse" refers to the use of medications without a doctor's prescription. A recent large study showed that as many as 1 in 4 children in some schools misuse ADHD medications . This is a very serious condition.
It is important to understand why children do these things.
| Type of Misuse | Reason for Misuse |
|---|---|
| Using someone else's medication without a doctor's prescription. (e.g. asking a friend for a drink) | Study during exams by sleeping, increasing your concentration. These are also called "Study Drugs". |
| Taking more than the prescribed dose. | A 'high' for fun, or to get drunk. |
| Crushing up pills and ingesting them through the nose (snorting) or other methods. | To get the effect of the medicine quickly and intensely. This is very dangerous. |
What are the serious health risks of this?
Using such powerful medications without the supervision of a doctor is like driving a car at high speed without knowing the rules of the road. A serious accident can occur at any time.
- Heart disease: Heart rate and blood pressure can increase abnormally, leading to emergency conditions such as heart attack or stroke.
- Mental problems: Psychosis (confusing reality with illusion), Paranoia (suspicion of others for no reason, thinking that everyone is against you), and extreme anger can occur.
- Addiction: When this medication is misused, the brain becomes accustomed to it. Over time, the drug can become compulsive, which can lead to serious addiction.
- Death by overdose : If you take much more than the prescribed dose, the body cannot handle it and death can even occur.
Peer pressure is the biggest reason!
The most important thing the study revealed is this. As the number of children who legally take ADHD medication in a school increases, the number of children who misuse that medication also increases. Because, the chances of children finding and asking for this medication increase. When friends say things like, "It's hard to study, try it," other children are tempted to do the same.
What can we do as parents?
It's reasonable to feel scared when you hear about this. But more than being scared, it's important that we take action.
1. Talk openly with your child: Talk to your child about "study drugs" and the dangers of misusing medication in a non-threatening, friendly manner. Teach them how to deal with peer pressure.
2. Keep your child's medications safe: If your child has been prescribed these medications, make sure to keep them in a locked place. Don't keep them in a kitchen drawer or in a medicine cabinet that can be easily opened.
3. Be careful about the amount of medicine: Make sure your child is taking the exact dose at the right time. Keep an eye on the number of pills. If the medicine in the bottle is running out faster than expected, find out.
4. Be alert to risk factors:
- Changes in sleep patterns (sleeplessness at night and fatigue during the day)
- Eating disorders (anorexia)
- Sudden changes in behavior (getting more angry, hiding secrets)
- A sudden decline in schoolwork or unusual performance.
- The child has pills that do not belong to them.
If you have any doubts like this, don't panic, but talk to your family doctor first. The best thing to do is not to blame the child, but to understand the problem and seek medical advice. In an emergency, for example, if a child has taken too much medicine and is behaving abnormally, immediately take him to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Take-Home Message
- Stimulants for ADHD are very useful and safe medications when used correctly under the supervision of a doctor.
- However, taking this medication without medical advice or using it incorrectly can lead to serious health risks, addiction, and even death.
- Recent studies have confirmed that peer pressure in schools is a major cause of misuse of this medication.
- As parents, it is very important to talk openly with children about the risks of drug use, keep medications at home safe, and be alert to changes in your child's behavior.
- If you have any doubts or concerns, never ignore them. Seek advice from your doctor immediately.
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