ADD and ADHDAlthough American culture has changed over the years, parents today still want what is best for their children. Why then do parents allow their children to be given drugs that could have a negative effect on their children? Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) are increasingly being diagnosed among young children today. Parents should be more informed about overdiagnoses, side effects, drug results and all other relevant information before allowing their children to be treated. In this research paper we will first examine why the diagnosis of ADD and ADHD has become so widespread. Then we will look at the side effects of Ritalin; the number one prescribed drug for ADD and ADHD. Finally, we will consider the results of the treatment. ADD and ADHD have had a dramatic rate of increase since they were first "discovered" 25 years ago. “This “epidemic” has gone from 500 thousand in 1985 to five to seven million today.” (Baughman) ADD and ADHD have become popular for many reasons. In today's American culture and fast-paced society, both parents are likely to work. This breaks the traditional family where only one parent worked and the other stayed at home and took care of the children. This leads to a tremendous breakdown in parental supervision and involvement in their children's studies. This lack of involvement on the part of parents places the burden of the child's lack of performance on the school system. When a child performs poorly academically or has a problem in school, parents want corrective action taken, no matter the cost, as long as it is a quick fix with little parental involvement. In some cases, when a child is labeled as having ADD or ADHD because he or she does poorly in school, the corrective action that needs to be taken is for the parent to simply spend more time with their child and tutor them in their academic areas of expertise . "we miss it." Children feel the loss (quality time spent with parents) and act out to get attention. They behave badly, cry, become rebellious, aggressive. Parents seek answers and relief from family turmoil. The school, which is also experiencing the child's defiance and aggression, seeks relief. Enter the school psychologist who provides the convenient answer. The child... in the center of the card... behavior with minimal side effects: violent anger. Even if the community doesn't know how they do it, they don't seem to care as long as their children do well in school. This scientist is encouraged, rewarded and respected, but also considered the hero of the community. This movie is truly symbolic of the parenting culture we live in and is definitely worth noting. In conclusion, American culture must change and become more traditional again. Parents should reconsider drug treatment for ADD and seek alternatives; those that provide healthy results. Works Cited Baughman, F.A. To Many Doctors, To Little Control. San Diego Union Tribune, 5/29/96 Essays, articles and other information relating to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) fraud, http://www.adhdfraud.org/aboutfred.htm Breggin GR, NIMH disapproves Ritalin, http://www.breggin.com/consensusnihmfails.html DeWeese, T. Ritalin is Poison, http://www.adhdfraud.org/ritalin_is_poison.htm Merrow, J. Follow the Money Trail, http:// www .adhdfraud.org/follow_the_money_trail.htm Zito, J. et al. February 23, 2000, Journal of the Medical Association