After reading the biography of Steve Jobs it struck me that, had he been born in the current Rx generation, he would have been medicated for ADHD. Tales from Job’s elementary school days described acts of rebellion that resulted in him being sent home two or three times before he finished the third grade. What is missing from his biography is any mention that he was forced to take ADHD drugs to curb his out-of–the box behavior.[1]

Adults can make a choice as to whether or not they believe they need ADHD medications and whether or not they wish to take them. Children do not have this choice. If a child misbehaves, in a manner consistent with the American Psychiatric Association (APA) checklist, then that child is given a diagnosis of ADHD.  Nothing else is needed. No medical testing is required for this diagnosis which is simply a subjective list of behaviors that only became a “mental disorder” in 1987 when members of the American Psychiatric Association voted it into existence. Behaviors deemed to be signs of ADHD include:

Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat when sitting still is expected.
Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.
Often excessively runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).
Often has trouble playing or doing leisure activities quietly.
Is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".
Often talks excessively
Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
Often has trouble waiting one's turn.
Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).  

A child only needs to meet 6 of these criteria to receive the label of ADHD and get started on a regime of ADHD drugs.

In 2011 five million children aged 3–17 years were diagnosed with ADHD, an increase of 70% over the past 5 years, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by pharmaceutical companies. Gwen Olsen, a former drug company sales representative and author of Confessions of an Rx Drug Pusher revealed that:

Children are known to be compliant patients and that makes them a highly desirable market for drugs. Children are forced by school personnel to take their drugs, they are forced by their parents to take their drugs, and they are forced by their doctors to take their drugs. So, children are the ideal patient-type because they represent refilled prescription compliance and 'longevity.' In other words, they will be lifelong patients and repeat customers for Pharma. [2]

Despite the fact there are no long-term studies on the safety and effectiveness of ADHD drugs, children as young as 6 years old are given these medications that are shown to cause stunted growth, hallucinations, anxiety, heart attacks, psychosis, violence, suicide and sudden death. ADHD drugs such as Adderall, Concerta, Daytrana, Dexedrine, Focalin, Metadate CD, Methylin, Ritalin,and Vyvanse are classified as Schedule II drugs by the Drug Enforcement Agency because they highly addictive and have a high potential for abuse. Drugs that share the same Schedule II classification as these ADHD medications include Cocaine, Opium and PCP.

Have we reached the tipping point where Rx children are the new normal and childhood behavior is reduced to a checklist of vague subjective symptoms?  When children cannot sit still in classrooms, when they exhibit “too much energy”, ask too many questions or daydream more than “normal”, they are medicated. Giving children a Schedule II drug with their cereal in the morning is the new norm much to the delight of the pharmaceutical industry.

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[1]Isaacson,Walter. Steve Jobs.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 2011.

[2] Olsen, Gwen. Confessions of an Rx Drug Pusher. Indiana: iUniverse Star, 2009.

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