I can only assume that I am not the only person completely unaware of the alarming number of children being misdiagnosed with ADHD and treated with Adderall, an amphetamine.

During a recent visit to my children’s pediatrician I was told about a shortage of the drug Adderall. The doctor told me that this shortage is a result of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) regulations placed on the drug’s active pharmaceutical ingredient, API and how much of it can be distributed to manufactures every year. The doctor also said that another contributing factor to the shortage is the enormous increase in the demand for the drug. The system of regulation is supposed to prevent over-manufacturing of the drug which often contributes to inappropriate use of the drug. The amount of API authorized by the DEA for release is based on the DEA’s calculation of the country’s legitimate need for the drug.

This got me thinking that if there is a shortage then either the DEA’s calculations are inaccurate or the drug is being utilized without legitimate need. Whether it’s inaccuracies in calculating the need or over prescribing the drug, this is an issue! I decided to research this topic a bit and what my research unveiled was just shocking.

As you my know, Adderall is commonly used in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (a stated disorder of excessive daytime sleepiness), ADHD being the most common reason for prescribing.  The drug, labelled by the FDA to be a controlled substance that is noted for having a high risk of potential drug abuse and dependence, is prescribed to many school-aged children to treat what is claimed to be ADHD. ADHD is characterized by severe impulsiveness, hyperactivity and inattentiveness.

The diagnosis of ADHD is a alarminingly common in American children with a shocking reported 5.5 million children diagnosed in 2007 and the number is steadily increasing each year. While some doctors content that ADHD is merely becoming more recognized, other doctors fear that the disorder is being inappropriately and irresponsibly diagnosed. The diagnostic criteria for ADHD as defined in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) states that 6 or more of the outlined symptoms of inattention, in addition to six or more of the outlined symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, all of which must have been present for at least 6 months to a point that it is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level. However many point out that the ”symptoms” presented in the DSM are actually common childhood traits or are related to difficulties such as problems in the home environment, difficulties in school or learning rather than physical or chemical issues in the child’s brain.  SOME (not all) of the DSMsymptoms are:

• Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
• Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.
• Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
• Is often easily distracted.
• Often has trouble organizing activities.

  

• Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
• Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
• Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor.”
• Often has trouble waiting ones turn.

The symptoms just listed are in no way an inclusive list and are simply meant to serve as an example of some of the outlined symptoms. All of the symptoms utilized in the diagnostic process of ADHD are similar in nature to the examples provided. These common childhood characteristics can make it easy to impose a diagnosis of ADHD and give the child a chemical to suppress the unwanted behavior.

As a mother of 5 (FIVE) very diverse children, I look at these symptoms and see a description of each of my children in one way or another. These symptoms, in my opinion are all things that can be addressed with positive parenting, discipline, diet, structure and education, NOT medication.  There are many doctors out there who have a similar opinion.

In October 2009, the New York Times wrote a piece on the issue of children being prescribed medications to help in school despite whether they have an attention disorder or not. In this article they interviewed a pediatrician, Dr. Michael Anderson who admitted to prescribing Adderall to his low-income patients who were struggling in school.

Remember from above, Adderall is classified as “a controlled substance that is noted for having a high risk of potential drug abuse and dependence”.

Dr. Anderson further stated that although the diagnosis he gave these children was ADHD, he called the disorder “made up” and that this diagnosis has been used as an excuse to prescribe Adderall and like medications to treat what he believes is poor academic performance in inadequate schools. He elaborated by saying that, “We’ve decided as a society that it’s too expensive to modify the kids environment. So we have to modify the kid.”

Parents are coming forward and admitting their children do not have ADHD, but they still give them Adderall because they perform better in school (or at least are quieter). It is also not uncommon for the children’s teachers to push the diagnosis of ADHD. This happens when the teacher feels that the student is displaying ADHD-like symptoms and communicates these concerns to the parents and suggests that they consult a doctor. Many of these parents who decide to consult their child’s doctor as suggested find that the doctors do not look beyond the teacher’s diagnosis and simply prescribe the child medication.

The end result is that too many children being medicated with a potentially dangerous, habit forming, controlled substance unnecessarily. Over prescribing Adderall and utilizing it for non-valid medical reasons certainly increases the demand for this drug. In fact, it is common for children to distribute the drug to the classmates on the playground, thus spreading the use of the drug and earning it (and the similar drug, Ritalin) the nickname,  “kiddie cocaine.” 

It is my opinion that the Adderall shortage should serve as an eye opener about the overuse and misuse of the drug and people should seek or attempt alternate ways of dealing with their child’s academic/behavioral performance. Medicating our children so that they behave in a way we may want them to behave is only fostering the idea that drugs will solve their problems…it doesn’t! Drugs cause problems and destroy lives! Drug addiction is a horrible challenge to face and is also one many people fail to conquer, so why subject our children to the potential risk of drug addiction?

Sources: www.drugabuse.com, reuter.com,examiner.com, NY Times, ritalindeath.com