Overmedicated children in ADD and ADHD

Are children overmedicated in regards to ADD and ADHD?
Introduction
According to a report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 10,000 children could be receiving psych stimulant medication, e.g., Methylphenidate referred to as Ritalin. This report lead was reported by among others, the media indicates that children are being overmedicated, because of mainly the notably high numbers (Insel). Also, a study by the University of Florida College of Pharmacy showed that there is about a 40% chance of having three-year-olds who have been diagnosed with ADHD taking up to three kinds of mental health drugs by the time they are aged eight years old (Lea Reynolds). These drugs include anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and other multi-mental health drugs. The findings of these two reports bring to the forefront the claim that children with ADD or ADHD are being overmedicated (Lea Reynolds). This essay, therefore, seeks to argue this proposition by taking the argument that, yes, children diagnosed with ADHD or/and ADD are being overmedicated.
Children with ADD and ADHD are overmedicated
According to statistics reports by the National Center for Health, in 2015-2016, nearly 20% of children – under the age of 18 years were taking prescription drugs. According to the 2011-2012 estimates, 7.5% of children in America between the age of 6 and 17 years were taking medication for emotional or/and behavioral challenges (Insel; Kazda et al.). According to the CDC reports, from 1988-1994 to 2007-2010 period, there was a five-fold increase in the number of children in America taking psychostimulants. According to the recent data, about 4.2% of children in America are under psychostimulants and 1.3% for those under antidepressants. Statistical data shows that the rate of children under antipsychotic prescriptions in America has increased six-fold over the 1988-1994 to 2007-2010 periods (Olfson et al., 1247-1256).
Based on age, the health of a young person is considered to be more stable and, thus, should be on less, in any medication, as compared to adults. In typical settings, the only medication that children are on is vaccinations. Therefore, as shown by the study by the University of Florida, College of Pharmacy, the fact that 3-year-old children are taking three kinds of medication at a time is the clear definition of overmedication.
Rebuttal
In the American environment, families are facing numerous challenges as parents have to juggle between jobs to make enough to support their families. Also, in the urban environment where the majority of the families are residing, the environments are polluted and increasingly non-conducive for childhood. This is, therefore, the root cause of child psychotic and behavioral challenges. With everybody 'busy' to make money, healthcare professional does not have enough time for therapy, and thus, medication remains the only viable remedy for children who have ADD or ADHD (Insel; Lea Reynolds). It is therefore misplaced to argue that this is a case of child overmedication, as this doesn't address the underlying issues, which is how the American society and the nature of day-to-day living have become unsupportive to families. The medication simply treats the symptoms, which in real medical terms, are existent.
Conclusion
There is about a 40% chance of having three-year-olds who have been diagnosed with ADHD taking up to three kinds of mental health drugs by the time they are aged eight years old. Nearly 20% of children are taking prescription drugs, about 4.2% under psychostimulants, and 1.3% for under antidepressants. This points to the fact that children with ADD and ADHD are overmedicated. However, in medical terms, these medications are prescribed for existing symptoms that these children manifest. This notwithstanding, and based on the arguments presented in this paper, this paper concludes that children who have ADD and ADHD in America are overmedicated.
Works cited
Insel, T. R. "Post by former NIMH director Thomas Insel: Are children overmedicated." National Institutes of Mental Health (2014). Web.
Kazda, Luise, et al. "Evidence of potential overdiagnosis and overtreatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents: protocol for a scoping review." BMJ Open 9.11 (2019).
Lea Reynolds, Jennifer. Are We Overmedicating Our Children With ADHD? U.S. News & World Report L.P., (2017). Web.
Olfson, Mark, et al. "National trends in the office-based treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with antipsychotics." Archives of general psychiatry 69.12 (2012): 1247-1256.
CRAAP Evaluation of Sources
Source
Currency
Relevance
Authority
Accuracy
Purpose
Olfson et al.
Publish date: 2012 with the update. Information is useful for comparison purposes.
Yes, information is relevant. It is intended for professionals in the field. I have looked for alternative information, and yes, it is a research paper.
Author; Mark Olfson,
Credentials; Medical Doctor and Master in Public Health
Contact info: yes, email is provided, .edu, which is affiliated to Columbia University
Information is from government sources and previous research findings
Yes, information can be verified.
There are no language-based errors
Information is meant to inform and educate
Authors do not expressly state their intentions
Information is factual
No biases have been established
Insel
Publish date: 2014
No update
Information is current, mainly for comparison purposes
Links are functional
Yes, information is relevant
Audience: professionals in the medical field and general public
Yes, info is appropriate
Yes, did a search and this ranked high
Yes, this qualifies as a research paper
Author: Thomas Insel
Credential: former director of the National Institute of Mental Health
Contact: yes, email for the NIMH, .gov for the U.S. government
Information is from data collected by the government
Yes, information is evidence-based
References: yes, and can be verified
There are no biases identified
Information is meant to inform and educate
The purpose is not expressly stated
Information is factual
No biases
Lea Reynolds
Date of publishing: 2017
No update
Yes, information is current
Yes, links are functional
Yes, information is relevant
Audience; general public and professional and the field
Yes, the level is appropriate
Yes, I researched and chose this
Yes, it qualifies to be a research paper
Author: Jennifer Lea Reynolds
Credentials: Health freelancer at U.S. News
She draws on her life and career experiences
Only her twitter handle is provided
URL: .com for commercial newspaper
Information is from research findings
Yes, information is evidence-based
Yes, information is referenced and verifiable
No biases identified
Information is meant to inform
Intentions are not expressly mentioned
Information is factual
Yes, point of view is objective
No biases identified
Kazda et al.
Date of publishing: 2019
No update
Yes, information is current
There are no links
Yes, information is relevant
Audience: scholars and academicians
Level is appropriate
Yes, I researched before selection
Yes, it is a research paper
1. Authors: Luise Kazda, 
2. Katy Bell, Rae Thomas, Kevin McGeechan, and Alexandra Barratt
3. Sponsor: Wiser Healthcare, which is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 
Organizational affiliations: The University of Sydney and Bond University.
Credentials are not expressly stated
Contact information; yes, email
URL: .edu for an educational organization
Information is from research findings
Yes, information is evidence-based
Yes, information is referenced and verifiable
Language is professional and no biases
Information s meant to inform and teach
Intentions are not expressly stated
Information is factual
Point of view is objective and impartial
No biases identified