Recent orders
According to Boffey (2015), there were more than a million prescriptions of Ritalin in 2014
According to Boffey (2015), there were more than a million prescriptions of Ritalin in 2014. This was more than double the rate of prescription of the same drug that was experienced a decade ago. This significant increase has led to an increase in concern among professionals in the fields of behavioral and mental health. These figures are considered to be an indication of a system that has been run down, leading to a massive increase in the number of cases of misdiagnosis and unnecessary prescription of stimulants such as Ritalin. The guideline given by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence suggests that prescription of stimulants such as Ritalin should be a last resort (Artkinson & Hollis, 2010). This is based on the fact that there are safer alternatives. However, the high rate which Ritalin is prescribed is an implication that the guide line by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is not being followed diligently. Therefore, it can be said that over prescription Ritalin is a serious problem in the field of mental health.
There are systems that are supposed to offer support for children with ADHD. However Johnston, O’Malley, Miech, Bachman, & Schulenberg (2017) assert that such systems have insufficient funding and resources, thus leading to a high rate in which is UK-based, it is easier for children suffering from ADHD to end up taking Ritalin. Therefore, it can be said that over prescription of Ritalin is a problem that results from the real or perceived inability of preferable alternatives to serve all the children who are suffering from ADHD.
Jaber, Rigler, Shuper & Diamond (2017) are of the opinion that when it comes to the treatment of ADHD and other mental disorders, many professionals opt for what is the easiest prescription to give. As far as the use of Ritalin is concerned, all the professionals have to do is give the prescription. After the prescription, it becomes the responsibility of the patients and their loved ones to make sure that the prescription are followed. Despite the fact that programs such as parent training programs have provided to be effective in the treatment of ADHD, (Mills 2014) asserts that such programs are barely being offered. Therefore, Ritalin often turns out to be a reasonable option. In the spirit of patient centered care, there has also been an increase in the extent to which parents and guardian choose Ritalin over the other option. The most commonly given reason for the choice of Ritalin over the available alternatives is the reduction of the time and engagement needed to make most of the alternatives successful. Even with such reasons, it is still clear that the use of Ritalin should be a last resort for the treatment of ADHD.
Garasic & Lavazza (2016) assert that ADHD, which can be considered an essentially typical behavior among children, has been highly medicalized. Tantrums, naughtiness, and the inability to keep calm are common problems with children. Therefore, the high rate which medicinal solution such as the prescription of Ritalin should be a cause of concern. The rate in which prescription of Ritalin is increasing is a result of the choice of medication instead of the available alternatives. Garasic & Lavazza (2016) argue that while medication might have some positive results such as the improvement of the cognitive functions and calmness, the results are often not sustainable. Continued medications denies children the chance of developing specific strategies that might help them cope with ADHD. A study undertaken at Colorado University in 2010 revealed that when children with ADHD were given a sugar pill and told they were taking Ritalin, their symptoms disappeared in the same rate in which they did when the were given real Ritalin(Warner,2010). This is an implication that there are many situations in which Ritalin was unnecessarily prescribed.
Pereanez (2017) argues that the over prescription of Ritalin takes place because the loved ones of people who have ADHD often overlook the importance of finding an explanation for the symptoms before opting for medication. There are some cases that some of the symptoms associated with ADHD might have other causes. For instance, family stress, skills deficit, anxiety, and poor nutrition might sometimes lead to symptoms that can be misdiagnosed as ADHD. In such cases, the child or adult taking the drug will have been subjected to a scenario of misdiagnosis. This is the main reason as to why drugs such as Ritalin should always be limited. Such limitations can be effective in making sure that there is a reduction of cases where by family members jump to the conclusion that child has ADHD.
A study by Chang, Lichtenstein , Halldner , D’Onitrio, Serlachius, faze & Larsson (2014) shows that children who are medicated for ADHD are six times less likely to have drug abuse problems are compared to those who use alternatives remedies for ADHD. This is an implication that medication for ADHD can be a way through drug abuse among children and adults with ADHD can be limited. A study by Ashok, Mizuno, Volkow & Howes (2017) also reveals that there is no relationship between the use of Ritalin in the treatment of ADHD during childhood and the engagement in drug abuse in adulthood. When an individual has ADHD they always suffer from low levels of dopamine in the brain (Tarver, Daley, & Sayal, 2014). The role played by Ritalin is to raise the level of dopamine in the brain to the appropriate levels. This is a capability that none of existing alternatives have, and thus the reason as to why failure to use Ritalin might increase chances of drug abuse. When people with ADHD are not medicated, might end up seeking replacement of dopamine from other substances, thus leading to drug abuse.
Tarver, J., Daley, D., & Sayal, K (2014). Attention -deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD): an updated review of the essential facts. Child: care. Health and development, 40(6), 762-774.
Ashok, A.H., Mizuno.Y, Volkow, N.D, & Howes, O.D. (2017). Association of stimulant use with dopaminergic alterations in uses of cocaine, amphetamine, or methamphetamine: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA psychiatry, 74(5), 511-519.
Chang, Z., Lichtenstein, P., Halldner, L., D’Onofrio, B., Serlachius, E., Fazel, S., & Larsson, H. (2014). Stimulant ADHD medication and risk for substance abuse, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55 (8), 878-885.
Boffey, D. (2015). Prescriptions for Ritalin and other ADHD drugs double in a decade. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/aug/15/ritalin-prescriptions-double-decade-adhd-mental-health
Garasic, M.D., & Lavazza, A. (2016). Moral and social reasons to acknowledge the use of cognitive enhancers in competitive -selective contexts. BMC medical ethics, 17(1), 18.
Pereanez, J.A.G.(2017). Arguments for Discussion in Bioethics, on the medication of Children with a Diagnosis of Hyperactivity (ADHD). DEStech Transaction on Environment, Energy and Earth Sciences, (eesd).
Warner, J. (2010). We’ve got issues: Children and parents in the age of medication. Penguin.
Johnston, L.D., O’Malley, P, M., Miech, R. A., Bachman, J.G., & Schulenburg, J. E (2017). Monitoring the Future National Survey Results on Drug Use, 1975-2016: Overview, Key Findings on Adolescents Drug Use. Institute for social research.
Atkinson, M., & Hollis, C. (2010). NICE guideline: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Archives of Disease in Childhood-Education and Practice, 95(1), 24-27.
Caesar Augustus
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Caesar Augustus
Caesar Augustus’ rule reigned from 31 BC – 14 AD. Caesar had to battle to achieve his throne actively. His government that lasted for many years, made him acquire many territories to expand the Roman Empire. The expansion of the Roman Empire will later fuel the start of a dynasty that would change Rome for good and for worse, over the following century. The guy had an unpromising start in life, but he maximized his potential and climbed the ladder and became one of the greatest leaders in Rome. Augustus’ family had close to no connections, not to mention him being a sickly child. Also, Augustus was destined for future greatness, according to the prophecies. At four years of age, Augustus lost his father, and it meant that his prospects were bleak. The engulfment of civil war led by the power-hungry factions made Rome a hostile place to live. Julius Caesar (his great-uncle) led one of the civil wars. Augustus managed to transform Rome barely from a republic to an empire, as a Roman emperor, at the time of tumultuous years after his adoptive father and a great-uncle died. Caesar consolidated his militia strength, lawmaking, not to mention his institution-building to achieving the sole rule of Rome. He laid a foundation for Roman peace (Pax Romana) that lasted for 200 years. Besides, he built an empire that reigned for nearly 1500 years.
In 46 BC, Augustus was a bit lucky as he emerged victorious in the civil war. To guarantee his position, Caesar needed an heir. He adopted Augustus since Caesar had no sons. Augustus had a perfect opportunity presented to him as a young man despite his lack of connections (Shotter, Pg. 3). His advisors at once murdered Caesar. Immediately, the situation led Augustus to become part of the untrustworthy world of Roman politics just at a tender of 19 years. A victorious general by the name Marc Antony formed a strategic alliance with Augustus.
After a few years, they had managed to suppress all Rome’s enemies, and the survivors ran to Greece for asylum. The survivors were killed by the alliance in what emerged in Roman history as the two bloodiest fights. Marc Antony and Augustus portioned the spoils since the assassinations had stopped, and the realm was now theirs. Marc got away with Egypt while Augustus kept Rome. The beautiful queen of Egypt (Cleopatra) influenced the Marc decision-making process, and it led to Romans thinking that the Egyptian queen wanted the throne for herself. Romans feared the relationship between Cleopatra and Marc, and it orchestrated the Romans’ hatred toward Marc. Following the deterioration of the Marc and August alliance, August rushed at attacking their empire before they could strike his Roman Empire. Three-quarters of the Egyptian fleet was destroyed in 32 BC, in the battle of Actium (Grebe, Pg. 37). Following the defeat of the Egyptian fleet, both Marc and Cleopatra committed suicide, and the pharaoh’s land was now part of the Roman Empire.
Consequently, Augustus was regarded as a hero back home. Merely at the age of 32 years, Augustus was the first Rome’s Emperor who brought hope in restoring peace and security. It was a daunting and risky task to win the war but was nowhere near the challenge of peace restoration. The separation of his wife and him and marrying of Livia (his mistress) who was pregnant made many to suspect him of trying to lay a foundation of dynasty rule for Rome that was to rule for generations to come (Evans, Pg. 7). To avoid what happened to Caesar, Augustus had to strategize on how to manipulate both the people and the Senate by pretending he wanted to surrender the power. However, the Romans had been terrified by a series of disasters. It led to people buying his idea of being their only savior, and they requested the Senate to make Augustus the absolute rule by casting the ballot. Augustus did his calculations so cleverly, and he agreed. As opposed to the creation of dynasty, Augustus deceived the Romans that he was serving for the best interests and traditions of their empire. The Romans did not hesitate to buy the idea.
As he was growing older, Augustus achieved a lot of greatness during his reign. He managed to invade Germany, expanded the jurisdiction of the Roman Empire, acquiring the central part of Europe, northern Spain, and Egypt. Augustus spearheaded a more conservative approach that got its future blueprint through the utilization of Rome’s old methodology. However, there existed a problem. His daughter, Julia, promiscuous acts had clashed with his moral conservatism, and he had to exile her. Also, Augustus was aging and becoming weaker. The plotting continued despite all the greatness and success. Augustus faced crisis after crisis, and everything that he dedicated himself to achieving was nearing the collapse (Osgood, Pg. 1). However, he managed to reign for another decade and died in 14 AD. Following his death, Augustus was declared as God by the Senate. The leadership thrown went to Tiberius, his stepson since Augustus’ two grandsons were already dead.
To conclude, Augustus successfully achieved to bring to an end the civil war that lasted for ten decades. For more than 40 years, he spearheaded the Roman Empire into internal peace and prosperity. Augustus’ authority and vision led to the Roman Empire expansion from a mere collection of countries to a diverse society and a significant economic hub where people across many parts of the globe traveled under the protection of Rome. Augustus had established a dynasty and prevailed over the Senate. In any case, this would highlight the same number of scoundrels as legends and would take Rome on an exciting ride into death, insanity, and dread.
Works Cited
Evans, Rhiannon. Utopia Antiqua: readings of the golden age and decline at Rome. Routledge, 2007.
Grebe, Sabine. “Augustus’ Divine Authority and Vergil’s” Aeneid”.” Vergilius (1959-) (2004): 35-62.
Osgood, Josiah. Claudius Caesar: image and power in the early Roman empire. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
Shotter, David. Augustus Caesar. Routledge, 2005.
Module 6.1- Learning Activity 1
Module 6.1- Learning Activity 1
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Module 6.1 – Learning Activity 1: Discussion Forum – Blogs and Tweets
Blog Post
The blog post on the concept of electronic communication that I find interesting is a blog by Burgess (2014) discussing the good, bad, and ugly aspects of electronic communication.
Summary of Blog’s Main idea (139 characters with no space)
Electronic communication drives organizational success efficiently and beneficially when managed effectively to overcome the related communication hurdles.
Tweet
The tweet on electronic communication that I found interesting is a tweet by some named Mark Bryant, whose tweeter account is HYPERLINK “https://twitter.com/realMarkBryant” @realMarkBryant.
Summary of the tweet (139 characters with no spaces)
“Those that control the flow of information, control the masses. What better way to control the masses than with great advances in electronic communication devices.”
Link to the tweet: HYPERLINK “https://twitter.com/realMarkBryant/status/1138129395447717888” https://twitter.com/realMarkBryant/status/1138129395447717888.
References
Burgess, B. (December 15, 2014). Electronic communication: The good, the bad and the ugly. Texas. First Capital Bank of Texas. Retrieved December 3, 2019, from https://www.fcbtexas.com/blog/communication/.