Obviously there are two answers to the question of, “Is the Common Drug for ADHD over prescribed?” There is a yes and a no. First off you need to know that Ritalin is the most widely spread drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Narcolepsy. The government gives it a class of II (amphetamine).
Some estimates have schools with children on Ritalin up to 40 percent. More boys than girls take Ritalin. It is given to children to cure or “fix” short attention spans, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors.
Because of the increase in the use of Ritalin on school age children, you have now broken the world into two camps. One feels the drug is wildly over prescribed to treat behavior problems that naturally occur and the diagnosis do not really exist. Then you have the other side that simply believes that the increase in the drugs usage means that it is safe and effective and more people are being reached by it.
First, let us just say that medical authorities agree that there is a problem and that ADHD (ADD/ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a distinct health issue that affects some children. It is also widely believed that these same children diagnosed correctly can and will be helped by taking Ritalin.
Unfortunately they also believe that the drug is over prescribed, over promoted, over marketed and over sold to the tune of $500 million dollars annually. Because of all this it has created more health issues in that people that do not need the drug are taking it, some illegally. This drug Ritalin has become one of the top street drugs in America.
Ritalin is not a quick fix, but it being used by many for just that reason. Johnny or Bobby are misbehaving, let us get them on some Ritalin so they will learn. If your child truly needed in then there needs to be hands on work done with the child, the parents, the teacher, the counselors and the doctors. It is then your responsibility to administer and properly control the drug.
Now, read the following and answer the question is Ritalin being over prescribed. Some schools now medicate up to fifty percent of their students with Ritalin or another ADD drug. The normal seems to be 15 to 20 percent of the children are taking and ADD or ADHD drug. This alone far exceeds any professional estimates of actual need.
It is very important that parents learn and understand that when we are talking about Ritalin or any other stimulant used, we are talking about a very potent, addictive and highly abused substance; the potency of the drug can help in the right need and destroy if given for the wrong one.
It seems to be that the surge in both diagnosing ADHD and prescribing Ritalin prescriptions is yet another sign of a society suffering from a great lack of boundaries and responsibility. When we as parents teach our children that their misbehaving is due to disorders, we then show them that there actions are beyond their control and therefore beyond any self motivation to change. Thus a whole portion of our future is stagnant.
In the many cases where ADHD is misdiagnosed well then we are allowing parents to believe that whatever problems their children’s have, they have nothing to do with. We in essence take away our own liability. They never have to take responsibility for what is happening in their home, with them as the parents. How sad is that?
The answer to the question “Is the Common Drug for ADHD over prescribed?” for me is a resounding yes. We don’t have enough long term testing to answer the validity of this drug and more and more people are taking it. As a country, as a community as a family we need to look within our own hearts and figure out if we are looking for an easy way to train behavior in our children or what. I would like to urge parents to educate themselves and above all be a protector of your children.
Get all the FREE help you need and stay aware of the battles our teenagers face! Go here to learn of other numerous embarrassing issues for Men, Women and Teens visit

