Junior may be experiencing several different issues that are causing his symptoms. He may have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but there is a problem since he abuses his drugs when alone. It can lead to serious health problems like hallucinations and other conditions that he is experiencing. He may also be experiencing a mental health disorder causing his symptoms. It is essential to consider all possible explanations for Junior’s symptoms to determine the best course of treatment, as his parents ensure that he is taking the correct dosage and at the right time. If Junior fails to take his medication correctly, then his parents can be held culpable for his deteriorating health. If Junior is experiencing a mental health disorder, it is crucial to get him the help he needs to ensure that his symptoms do not get worse.
A mental health professional would likely recommend that Junior take a higher dose of his medication or a different medication if he is not taking his medication correctly. Since Junior abuses his drugs, a mental health professional would likely recommend that he be monitored closely and get help for his addiction (Quinn & Lynch., 2016). If Junior is experiencing a mental health disorder, a mental health professional would likely recommend therapy and medication. These interventions might be necessary because they can help Junior focus and cope with his thoughts and hallucinations. To curb Junior’s incorrect intake of medication, a higher dose or different medicine might be necessary to help him focus. Moreover, Junior’s abuse of his medication can be prevented through stopping the drugs and getting rehabilitation, which can help him avoid harmful side effects. Finally, therapy and medication can help Junior manage his symptoms relating to a mental health disorder. If all the recommendations above are followed keenly, then Junior will heal in due time and go back to school rejuvenated.
Some ethical implications may be present in Junior’s case such as the risk of Junior harming himself or others. The ethical implications, in this case, revolve around the issue of informed consent. Junior’s parents may not be aware of the potential risk of abuse of drugs and the failure to take medication correctly. Junior may overdose and cause harm to himself since he would experience adverse reactions to the medication. Therefore, Junior’s parents must be fully informed of the risks and benefits of the drug so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not to continue treatment.
Another ethical issue that may be present would be the issue of confidentiality. If Junior sees a mental health professional, he may be reluctant to share information about his condition or treatment because he would feel like his parents would get informed. This could lead to Junior not getting the help he needs by hesitating to seek treatment (Fadus et.al., 2020). So, Junior’s parents must respect his confidentiality and allow him to make his own decisions about treatment. The final ethical issue that be present in this case is may the issue of cultural competency. Junior’s family heritage may have different beliefs about mental health and medication. Hence, his parents must work with a culturally competent provider who can help them navigate these differences and ensure Junior gets the best possible care. Fadus et.al (2020) argues that informed consent, confidentiality, and cultural competency are all among the essential factors that can be accounted for to ensure Junior gets treatment.
There are other ethical implications for the medical treatment of ADHD by mental health professionals. If the mental health professional cannot correctly diagnose and treat ADHD, the client is at risk of losing their sanity, becoming violent and becoming a threat to neighbors. Additionally, without the proper monitoring of the client’s medication, Junior can become potentially addicted to his medication. This could lead to a spiral of increasingly harmful behavior as the client tries to satisfy their addiction, which could even lead to death in extreme cases (Fadus et.al., 2020). Therefore, the mental health professional must be aware of all potential risks involved in treating ADHD and take steps to minimize them. Secondly, when abusing drugs, a client could sell or give away their medication to others, who could misuse it. This could lead to serious health consequences for the people taking unprescribed medicine. Therefore, the mental health professional must be aware and take precautionary steps to prevent it from happening.
One way to avoid the abuse of the medication is to keep track of the client’s prescriptions and make sure that they are taking the medication as prescribed. Moreover, the mental health professional can educate the client about the dangers of misusing their medication and help them to develop a healthy coping strategy for their ADHD Quinn & Lynch., 2016). Ultimately, it is essential to consider the potential for stigma when treating ADHD. Because ADHD is often seen as a childhood disorder, so many negative stereotypes and assumptions can be associated with it. This can make it difficult for adults with ADHD to seek treatment, as they may feel ashamed or embarrassed. Therefore, the mental health professional must be sensitive to this issue and create a safe and welcoming environment for all clients.
References
Quinn, M., & Lynch, A. (2016). Is ADHD a “real” disorder? Support For Learning, 31(1), 59-70.
Fadus, M. C., Ginsburg, K. R., Sobowale, K., Halliday-Boykins, C. A., Bryant, B. E., Gray, K. M., & Squeglia, L. M. (2020). Unconscious bias and the diagnosis of disruptive behavior disorders and ADHD in African American and Hispanic youth. Academic Psychiatry, 44(1), 95-102.