Drugs for ADHD 'not the answer'

Drugs for ADHD 'not the answer'

news.bbc.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

Drugs are NEVER the answer!

There is nothing in this world that aggravates me more than to see some dumb ass teacher suggesting a child be put on Ritalin because the child gets "loud" and is hyper.

Back when I was growing up, ALL kids were hyper. That was exactly what being a kid was. Full of energy and absolutely NO desire to listen.

While I do believe there are legitimately SOME children that can benefit with this legal dope, I personally feel it's become more of an aid to shut loud kids up than a method of "help".


My whole school career, there were 4 kids on ritalin in my grade and I went k-12 with all 4 of them. They legitimately needed some help and were MUCH better when on the ritalin (they seemed to be a great deal more attentive and their grades improved while on it).

By the time I was a senior, it seemed that over half of the 9th graders were on some sort of ADHD drug. You cannot tell me that EVERY SINGLE ONE Of these kids needed that crap. In fact, you can't tell me even 2% of those kids actually NEEDED it.

By the time they were in 9th grade, a good number of them had already taken to selling it to the school junkies and their grades didn't seem to suffer a bit. Especially considering a great deal of them were honor students.


I yearn for the day that people quit taking this "easy way out" with their children and actually try PARENTING instead.


Jasn

news.bbc.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

This is a major topic of interest for me.

I support clients who have ADD, ADHD, OCD, ODD, Schizophrenia, and other associated disorders. We have an approach to these issues, and some of them work. Some do not.

But last week I attended a day long seminar where I listened to an individual by the name of Dr. Duncan MacKinlay speak. He has tourette syndrome, and he has an approach to how to constructively deal with these issues.

He uses the analogy of a "Leaky Brake" system.

Think for a moment of every thought that pops into your head in the run of a day. EVERY thought. Now what if you acted on EVERY single thought! What if everything that popped into your head, you said! Or you did. A pretty girl walks by, a quick thought pops into your head... what if you were to actually say it? Where would that land you?

But we don't say it, and we don't act on it. Why? Because we have a good braking system. We see it coming and we apply the break. Well people who have these associated disorders, they don't have the braking system that we have. They might see it coming, they might not. But either way, when they apply the brake, nothing happens. The next thing they know, they are acting out on these thoughts. They are trying to stop, but they can't.

Sometimes these drugs can help provide a bit of a braking system, where the symptoms can be controlled. But I don't think medication is the answer. I believe it is over prescribed and kids are over medicated. However, there is a time and a place for it.

But companies like C.H.A.D.D. are manipulating and deceitful. Supporting families who have children with these associated disorders, but in the back pocket of the drug companies who are producing these medications. No wonder they are referring parents left and right to medicate their children. Conflict of interest much?

Where I work, we medicate the symptoms. We are fighting the symptoms while the crux of the problem is overlooked. These individuals have the flu, but we're too busy trying to stop the runny nose. It makes no sense.

There is a lot I have to say on this matter, but I'll leave it at this for now.

Simius, I've recently read a few articles that I think you would really like.

Check this link out.. Lorraine Fox.

Read some of her articles. It's not exactly what we're talking about, but you'll appreciate her approach to certain issues.

reply to post by chissler

---

Cool chiss, I'll definitely check that link out. Though, it may be a bit later in the day haha. I'm still plowing through my "daily news" mail box which currently still has 211 unread messages.

I have no doubts that SOME children can benefit from these drugs, HOWEVER, I absolutely REFUSE to believe it's "NEEDED" on as wide a scale as it is PRESCRIBED.


Jasn

ADHD is nothing more than the result of kids ingesting processed food chemicals such as artificial colors and sweeteners. Here are a couple of articles about it.




Source: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, has a simple cause: poor nutrition and food additives

This article goes on to state that ADHD can be eliminated by removing processed foods from kids diets and providing them a healthy diet that their brains need to function properly.

Another article that talks about omega-3 elimimating ADHD in children:
Omega-3 supplements rapidly eliminate ADD, ADHD and bipolar disorder in children

Kids who are on healthy vegan diets also are smarter and have much better focus than kids on the standard American diet.

That's an interesting theory.

There is no etched in stone cause to ADHD and other associated disorders.

Genetics

Upbringing

Diet

Television

There are plenty of concepts that we can point to here, but none of them are any more conclusive than the next. It's one of them subjects that has continued to elude us.

The name itself, "Attention Deficit" is completely incorrect in and of itself. There is no "deficit". Their attention is perfectly fine. But they do have trouble with where they focus their attention. While playing a video game is very easy, doing mathematics is not. There is no deficit of attention, just an issue with focus.

The terms Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder will be changed in the near future, and more of an emphasis in the lack of focus will be reinforced. There will be a division of the two disorders, and each one will be more recognizable. Too often these terms are used interchangeably, and it is a major flaw in our approach. They are two separate disorders, and both exist independently.

[edit on 12-11-2007 by chissler]

Though I dont know a ton on this topic, it is of high interest to me.

One of my brothers was labeled with ADD way back in the 80s. The teachers tried really hard to get my parents to take him to a doctor and get put on meds.

To make a long story short....my brother didnt have ADD. He was bored in school and was not being challenged. They put him in accelerated (advanced) classes and the label disappeared. He actually ended up graduated high school early due to all of his advanced classes.

Im sure there are kids out there who really need the medication for real physical issues causing this stuff. However, I also know (based on observation, stories, etc) that many kids are receiving poor diets and poor parenting. And the parents feel that the easy solution is to medicate BEFORE finding other alternatives.

perhaps parents shouldnt expect children to stay indoors watching telly and playing computer games QUIETLY, children need to exercise and PLAY, they need to run shout and let off steam....its natrual. children (and adults) need a good diet, if many parents of 'adhd' children cut out sugar (which is in everything!) have proper home cooked diet of at least 5 aday...pref 8 to10 (fruit and veg), no e numbers or other diety impurities, they would see a change in their childrens behaviour. most adhd is just a way parents can displace responsability.
m xx (psychotherapist)

Adderall XR has helped me turn into an A student after being a C/D student for years. I am much more calm and confident in many different areas of my life now. Wish I would have sought diagnosis years ago. Let's not lump all A.D.H.D. meds together.

As a mother that fell for the Ritalin BS to find out that my son didn't have any need of it I warn anybody that is looking for a easy solution to control the behavior of their children to look at the complications of this medications before putting their children lives and future on them.

When I was working in the school system the amount of children on this drugs was to high too ignore, but back seven or ten years ago was just the norm.

I will never forget myself for giving my son that crap when he was only 14.

Thankfully he is now 21 and the phase that was tagged by school officials as hyperactive behavior was nothing more than just a phase.

Sometimes we parents are too busy to take care of our children growing up problems.

Pills are an easier alternative.

[edit on 12-11-2007 by marg6043]

I've authored this podcast in response to this thread. It can be easier to verbally express your thoughts sometimes, as opposed to trying to type them all out.

Giving amphetamines to hyperactive kids doesn't help?
Well, DUH!

Hey, at least it makes a profit for the shareholders.

shanti23.....one of the 'side effects' of amphetamines is, believe it or not, prolonged concentration
m xx

well thats the theory anyway