How do you talk about something so visceral? But if you don't bring something into the light, it'll stay hidden and dangerous, so I venture forth:
You know how easily children are diagnosed as having ADHD and perhaps your child has been that route, might even take Ritalin for the so-called symptoms. A few things you may want to know:
For every child "labelled and drugged" as it's called, that school receives subsidies, extra funding, from both the State and Fed.
Once a child has been diagnosed, they are considered mentally ill according to the physician's bible, DSM-4. Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of disorders.
If you've taken Ritalin for 12 years, you are not eligible for military service, ever. This may be a hidden blessing but still...
Ritalin, a stimulant, an amphetamine, can actually produce the symtoms for which it advertises relief. The DEA says publically, after strident research, that there is no difference in affect between the so-called normal child and the medicated one. Meaning, Ritalin makes no difference in either child. But it's toxic.
Yes, toxic. Parents have buried their children because of Ritalin and other psychotropic drugs. And how does drugging a child help them form intelligent opinions about medications? Most likely, that a prescription is the answer to just about anything that bothers you. Young adults given Ritalin as kids are highly prone to drug abuse. Here, read this and be informed. It was set up by parents who had to bury their child.
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10 comments:
I agree that it's WAY too common, and too easy to medicate children that are just being children.... some kids are more hyper than others, that's just kids being kids.... however, I think that schools need to learn how to allow kids to be kids. My son was labeled as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder ~ no hyperactivity) and everyone (his drs, teachers, etc.) advised me to give him on meds (not ritalin, don't even remember the name of it now). He took it for awhile, and it DID help him focus better in school, but it changed his whole personality, he became withdrawn, and he never laughed anymore.... I missed my son, and took him off the meds. I figured if he fails, we'll deal with it, and we have.... he fell a year behind in 5th grade, but he's happy and he caught up in time, he's smart, and I know he's going to be fine. Boy, I wrote a book here, didn't I?! I hope I don't get hate mail now.
Joann
I have a cousin who could not cope with her eldest boy..SHE.. could not cope..the second child also a boy was a quiet little lad...the eldest (a normal, to our eyes ) wild wee boy...Off to the DR. Ritalin diagnosed....eventually special school...did he grow into a "normal" young lad...of course he didn't. However he did reach the age of 17 and left home...He is now living an independant life..perhaps not as we would like and certainly not as his mother would have him live....in fact she now leaves him on his own....But we are sure and certain that young lad never ever had ADHD his Mother ?? well we wonder !! Love Sybil xx
To precious (JOANN) Isn't it much better to have a non-medicated child you recognize? I'm so encouraged you chose to relieve him of the burden of a drug. And staying behind a grade isn't "failure" alot of kids have to, many are brilliant. The more intelligent kids are bored thanks to underpaid unskilled teachers and though we have many good ones, not enuf. Thanks for the "book" lol ! xoxo
Cathy (and Joann): I think the only failure in life is the failure to try ... to learn new things, to do new things, to venture out and DO. If we don't do, we fail. All else is our successful attempts at living life.
I agree Cathy ... too much medication in too many children ... I don't throw the baby out with the bath water. I believe medication can help in some cases, but I don't believe for a minute that labeling a child is a good thing.
I too believe that Ritalin is overprescribed, Cathy. And as it is an amphetamine derivative, it is not without its dangers. ADHD is a bit of a fashion subject header, to cover various other problems that are not that particular syndrome. Prescribing Ritalin when it should not be is an issue that paediatricians should address.
I remember a teacher that I believe had the very best of intentions suggested I have Bubba evaluated when he was in 1st grade. I even took home the forms for the initial evaluation. But as I went through them, as I tried to respond to the questions, I increasing noticed I couldn't respond the way I wanted to. I don't know how to explain it. Just felt they Q & A didn't give the full picture of him or his behavior. So I ended up throwing them in the trash. I've been thankful many times over that I did. Don't get me wrong, Bubba had some issues concentrating. But mostly when something either didn't challenge him at all or when he just had no interest in a thing.
Thanks for being brave enough to speak out about this. I do think there are a very few who really have issues that are severe enough they might benefit from something like Ritalin, but very few.
Barbara
Its my belief that if children didn't eat so much proccesed and refined foods that they wouldnt need drugs to bring them down from such artificial highs. When children ate proper food, there was no such thing as ADHD. I may be wrong, but all the kids I know who ear real food are fine.
Gaz xx
I have a child with adhd and trust me I struggle everyday if I made the right decession or not on whether I should or shouldn't give meds . my baby has been off the meds for 6 years , and we have some very hard times , these children don't just have bad behavior which is why people think they are drugged there is so many other symptoms and problems that goes with it bad behavior is only one of the problems .. there is severe anxieties and learning disabilities ..just to name a few , I made that decision because I thought we could handle it and we would deal with what life gave us , that was our decision I don't judge other families who chose meds because each case is different and the severity is different for each child .Trust me until you walk in the shoes of a mother who is told that these things don't go away and they don't get better and that your child is not healthy you really can't say what you will do .. I never took one doctors opionion I took our child to several and I read all the articles against and for the meds , I prayed and I begged for answers and in the end I went with my mommy instincts and so far so good but if my child got worse and needed the meds I would again pray and go with my instincts ...
hugs
Sherry
I'm emailing you on this. I lived it and I disagree with some of your points. Please read what I have to say with an open mind. You will be surprised by what I have to say.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay
Thank you Jude, I read your letter many times and cant find anything we dont agree on. I opened this topic for folks to read and offer feedback, hopefully from a personal perspective. I didn't post it in a vacuum - my grandson was diganosed with ADHD too. You letter was informative and interesting and we are in complete agreement. Many things need be done, many need be stopped. Read Gaz's comment, he has a point similar to yours. In the end, it's a subject worth talking about, yes? And we are. Thanks my friend, I'm glad you shared your very personal story with me. Unity.
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