essay

· Option #1: Take Your Pills

The following questions are prompts associated with the Netflix documentary "Take Your Pills". You may choose to write a 500 word minimum essay in response to at least one of the listed questions. As an alternative to the question prompts,  you may also provide an original research analysis of the stimulants or other drug classifications discussed in this chapter. (1) The film seems to focus on Adderall as the ADHD medication that’s most often abused. What about all the other stimulant medications?

(2) At the end of the film, one of the interviewees suggests that to help kids with ADHD, “just teach them how to focus.” Is that a real alternative to medication and other treatment?

(3) Prescription stimulants were not meant to be quick fixes for occasional use as study aids – they were not approved for this, and the long-term effects of this style of use are unknown. Can you think of any safer, healthier study alternatives?

(4) Is cramming and the use of so-called “cognitive enhancers” (i.e., prescription stimulants) the best way for a student to learn and synthesize material? More importantly, what ramifications could adopting this approach to studying have for one’s future professional life? (5) Do you think medicines like Adderall can be addictive?

(6) What is ADHD? How does someone get diagnosed with ADHD?  Is ADHD safe to self-diagnose? Is ADHD safe to self-treat? (7) Provide your original research analysis of stimulants or other drug classifications and the implications of the use/abuse of these.

Learning Objective Targeted: SLO 6: Identify factors in physiological and psychological processes involved in human behavior.