Even though 1 in 6 might not seem like a huge percentage of students, it equals about 17% of the student population in America. These students are not only misusing prescription medications, they are also violating laws and could very well find themselves in the custody of the law.

The most commonly misused ADHD medications include Adderall and Ritalin. The research states that these are both “Schedule II controlled substances, placing them in the same legal bracket as substances such as cocaine and methamphetamine.” It may be true that many students don’t really know what they are getting into, but many are misusing these medications to control their brain’s ability to be stimulated.

Kari Benson from the University of South Carolina (USC), the author of the study, conducted research during her sophomore year at USC in attempts to discover a correlation for “social impairment in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder”.”  She says that during her initial research students would ask her if she could help them get Ritalin or Adderall, which is how she discovered the widespread issue.

“If you looked at individual studies, the rates of college student misuse were all over t        the place,” says study author Prof. Kate Flory. “They ranged from 2% to 43%.” As a result, the authors conducted a meta-analysis of data from 30 papers…The researchers found that 17% of college students misuse stimulant medications for ADHD, either taking medication without a prescription or taking a larger amount than prescribed.”

ADHD Medications for Learning Improvement

Ironically, there have been absolutely no positive correlations proven between taking a stimulant ADHD drug and an improved ability to learn.  Ironically, many of the studies conducted suggest the opposite. These mind altering drugs actually have been shown to have the opposite effects and may actually impair your abilities to learn and focus effectively.

ADHD Medications for Alcohol Consumption

While using these medications without prescriptions, or overusing them can be dangerous enough, some students have been found using them to help increase their alcohol consumption without feeling the effects. This is extremely dangerous.  ADHD Medications “make it possible to drink beyond the normal limit,” says Benson. “So instead of passing out drunk, you might end up in the hospital having to get your stomach pumped.”

Adverse Effects of ADHD Medication Misuse

Many students don’t consider all of the adverse effects of misusing this type of prescription drug. We have included a list of some of the side-effects this type of prescription medication abuse can have on your mind and body:

• -Malnutrition
• -Hostility
• -Paranoia
• -Serious Cardiovascular Incidences (Including Stroke)
• -Decreased ability to Learn

Don’t take our word for it though. “Last year, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting that college-aged students who occasionally used stimulant drugs have impaired brain activity linked to anticipation”

Medication Sources and Segments of Misuse

Many students get it from friends who have ADHD  or friends and family members who can get access to these medications through jobs, or other connections.  From a study of only 30 students, it was also discovered that certain segments may abuse these types of stimulants more than others, including:

• -Fraternities
• -Sororities
• -Academically Struggling Students (Or students, such as athletes, who are pushed to perform at high levels)
• -Students who Participate in other Substance Abuse

Researchers at USC plan on doing additional research to see if they can find specific markers that identify users or potential users of drug abuse or misuse in order to create an intervention program with the help of a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Cited Studies and Resources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/290717.php#1

https://www.promisesbehavioralhealth.com/addiction-recovery-blog/student-adderall-abuse/

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-stimulants

https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/news/20141113/adhd-stimulant-drug-abuse-common-among-young-adults-survey#1

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Straterra® is meant primarily for use in older teens and adults to control and help the effects of ADHD. However, medication is not always the best option, because of the various side-effects that may alter your mental state, and physical health in other ways. Let’s take a look at some of these side-effects and see if there is a better alternative to medications.

• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Decreased appetite
• Dizziness
• Sexual side-effects
• Problems passing urine
• Long lasting erection

Children have seen different, more serious side-effects, when taking this drug, which is why it is not recommended for them. Their side-effects when taking Strattera® are as follows:

• Suicidal thoughts and actions
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Aggressiveness
• Panic attacks
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Hostility
• Impulsivity
• Restlessness
• Mania
• Depression
• Affect his/her ability to drive or operate machinery

If your child or teenager experiences an increase or sudden change in any of these symptoms, please talk to your child’s doctor to help monitor for suicidal thoughts, and consider taking them off of the medications and moving to something more natural, including activities that can help.

Additionally, Straterra® has been known to cause liver issues with some patients. Please contact your doctor if you notice any of the following in your child or teenager:

• Itching
• Right upper belly Pain
• Dark urine
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Unexplained flu like symptoms
• Heart problems – including heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. Check for heart problems before putting a child – or adult – on Straterra®
• New mental and psychological problems in children

Additionally, don’t take Strattera® if you have the following health conditions – an eye problem called narrow angle glaucoma or a rare tumor called pheochromocytoma.

Quillivant®: (Side-Effects)

Quillivant XR® is the first of its kind. This once-daily extended-release formulation of liquid methylphenidate, is made specifically for those who struggle to swallow pills.

Quivillant® is a stimulant amphetamine, and as such should be monitored closely for abuse, especially since it is recommended for children and teens.

Additional side-effects in children include:

• Weight loss
• Stunted growth (long term)
• Decreased appetite
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Dyspepsia
• Dry mouth
• Vomiting
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Affect lability
• Agitation
• Irritability
• Dizziness/Vertigo
• Tremor
• Blurred vision
• Increased blood pressure/heart rate
• Tachycardia
• Palpitations
• Hyperhidrosis
• Pyrexia

Adults who have taken the recommended dosage of this medication have experienced the following dangerous side-effects:

• Stroke
• Myocardial infarction
• Priapism
• Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Additional side-effects have been recorded in less than 2% of patients, which will not be reported here.

In children with heart conditions sudden death has been known to occur. Patients with the following heart conditions should not use Quillivant®.

• Structural cardiac abnormalities
• Cardiomyopathy
• Serious cardiac arrhythmias
• Coronary artery disease

Concerta®: (Side-Effects)

Concerta is a spin-off of the ADHD medication Ritalin®. The biggest difference however, between these two drugs is the length of time it is effective in the body. While Ritalin® must be taken every 4-6 hours to remain effective, Concerta® can be effective for up to twelve.
Side-effects and the percentage of people taking Concerta® that they affect, are listed below:

• Headache – 14%
• Upper respiratory tract infection – 8%
• Stomachache – 7%
• Vomiting – 4%
• Loss of appetite – 4%
• Sleeplessness – 4%
• Increased cough – 4%
• Sore throat – 4%
• Sinusitis – 3%
• Dizziness – 2%

Other side-effects will mimic Ritalin®, which is next on our list. Also, children who have any of the following issues should not take Concerta®:

• Agitation
• Hypersensitivity to Methylphenidate
• Glaucoma
• Tics
• Children under the age of 6

Ritalin®: (Side-Effects)

Ritalin® is a medication that has most often been prescribed to children, but it is considered safe for all ages. The most frequent side-effects are found below. If any of these occur, contact your doctor.

• Fast heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Skin rash or hives
• Black, tarry stools
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Blurred vision or other changes in vision
• Convulsions
• Crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• Muscle cramps
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• Uncontrolled vocal outbursts or tics (uncontrolled and repeated body movements)
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Many of the medications that are used to treat ADHD are worse for the patient than ADHD itself. Please exercise extreme caution if you choose to use any of the mentioned, or any other medications to treat ADHD. There are many other, more natural methods of treating ADHD that we highly recommend. Check our next post for more information on these natural treatment methods.

The post ADHD Medications: Side-Effects of Straterra®, Quillivant®, Concerta® & Ritalin® appeared first on The Reynolds Clinic LLC.

Dysgraphia, the writing disability, is perhaps the least understood of all the learning disabilities although it is probably the most common.  Too often it is misinterpreted as laziness, a lack of motivation or just a reflection of a child’s “bad attitude” towards his schoolwork.

As a result, parents frequently take a punitive approach when it comes to their child’s written assignments, often making homework time a most unpleasant experience for both child and parent alike.  If this sounds like what goes on in your household, then let’s take a step or two back from the brink, catch our breath and examine this phenomenon a little more closely.

First of all, I’m not saying that all children who resist doing their written homework have Dysgraphia.  Children not wanting to do their homework is a common enough parental complaint.  But children with Dysgraphia have distinguishing characteristics that may make their complaints more legitimate.

Let’s stop and think for a minute what goes into the act of writing.  First, you have to think of what you want to write.  Next, you have to organize your thoughts into a logical flow of ideas.  Next, you have to write these thoughts down paying close attention to the rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling.  And, finally, you have to make sure that someone reading what you’ve written will be able to understand what you’re trying to convey.  Whew! That’s a lot to keep in your mind at one time!

I sometimes think that writing is the most complex activity we ask our brains to do.  And if you’re a kid, I would think it would be that much more difficult since their brains are still developing and therefore are not as capable as that of an adult.  In fact, from brain imaging technologies we now know that effective writing requires a coordinated effort involving many different parts of the brain operating “in concert”, so to speak.  These same brain imaging technologies also tell us that when asked to write, individuals with Dysgraphia show a significant decrease in the communication patterns among the areas of the brain responsible for written expression.

If your child has trouble writing I am not suggesting that you go out and get an MRI.  I just think it’s important to realize that Dysgraphia is a “brain-based” problem and not a case of laziness on the part of your child.  And there are many easier ways that the diagnosis can be made, psychological/educational testing being the most common and cost-effective one since most school districts are capable of providing this service.

So what are the signs or symptoms of Dysgraphia that you should look for?  In early elementary school, children with Dysgraphia often have trouble forming their letters or fail to give each letter enough space.  Letters frequently run into each other and don’t stay on the line.  Children with Dysgraphia at this age often mix up their b’s and d’s, p’s and q’s, or write “was” as “saw”, or vice versa.  Adolescents with Dysgraphia often have difficulty organizing their thoughts and getting their ideas down on paper and become easily frustrated.  In addition, they commonly have trouble with grammar, spelling and punctuation.

The following is a writing sample from one of our 9^th grade patients.  The assignment was to write about the Respiratory System.  Note the misspellings and the lack of proper punctuation.  But clearly this student understands the material and actually brings to the assignment a bit of creativity although at a writing level 3 to 4 grade levels below where she should be.

 As a result of these difficulties, children with Dysgraphia either write down their thought as quickly as possible before they forget them (see above) or they produce the absolute minimum despite the fact that if you asked them to tell you their ideas instead of writing them down they can go on and on, and quite articulately, too!

So if you now suspect that all the frustrations that you and your child have been going through over their written assignments might be the result of a learning disability, get them evaluated by a psychologist competent in this area.

School systems seem to be somewhat reluctant to make this diagnosis so you may want to consult with a psychologist outside the system.

If it turns out that your child does have Dysgraphia, there are ways to improve his written performance and there are school-based accommodations that can reduce the impact of the disability.  But you have to ask; rarely, in my experience, are these issues brought to a parent’s attention by the school system.

If you are uncertain how to proceed, consider contacting the Reynolds Clinic where we have been treating children, adolescents and adults for learning disabilities for the past 20 years.  We would be happy to guide you on your journey.

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