Report shows that usage of Ritalin in America is five times more than world usage. This is a staggering 90% of the world's Ritalin. Peter Breggin, M.D provides further insights.
- More than 10% of the nation's children are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD as indicated by recent statistics.
- More than five million children are taking Ritalin or another stimulant medication for the treatment of ADD/ADHD.
- Hundreds of children every year receive, or take, doses of stimulant medications that are too high, resulting in overdose.
- The possibility of overdosing is greater for children between the age of six to nine.
As school officials, medical professionals, and other caretakers pressure parents to put their children on medication for the management of ADD/ADHD, few take the time to inform parents what the use of stimulant medications as a daily maintenance medication entails. Stimulant medications such as Ritalin, when given to children, are far more dangerous than parents are being led to believe. Stimulant medications produce far more than mere side effects, they endanger the lives of children by producing a host of dangerous health problems and risks by damaging the functioning of the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, and more.
These dangers include:
Cardiovascular System
Rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, abnormal heartbeat, and heart attack.
Central Nervous System
Altered mental status, hallucinations, convulsions, seizures, convulsions, depression, excitement, agitation, irritation, anxiety, nervousness, hostility, nervousness, compulsive behavior, tics, jerky movements, tourette's, drowsiness, confusion, lack of sleep, unhappiness, depression, over-sensitivity, decreased social interest, zombie-like mannerisms, impaired mental abilities.
Gastrointestinal
Eating disorders, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, and cramps, dry mouth, constipation, growth problems, and endocrine and metabolic disorders.
Other
Blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, excessive sweating, incontinence, fever, joint pain, blood disorders, rash, conjunctivitis, hives, skin inflammation, and hair loss.
Withdrawal and Rebound
Worsening of symptoms, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, irritability, over-activity, and stimulant "crash".
Ritalin might do more harm than cocaine!
Findings of a European study shows that Ritalin can be more hazardous than cocaine. Although in pill form, Ritalin does not produce immediate effect, once metabolized it can occupy more dopamine receptors than cocaine. Addicts who are users of cocaine have also claimed that Ritalin, when injected will produce the same effect as cocaine.
An article published in the New York Times asks the questions "Is it appropriate, ethicists and pediatricians ask, to medicate children without a clear diagnosis in the hope that they will do better in school? Should the drug be given to adults who may complain that they are failing in their careers or are procrastinators? Are the ends worthy of the means?"
And an article published in the January 2005 issue of Pediatrics stated, "There remain large discrepancies between pediatricians' practice patterns and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for the assessment and treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)." If the medical community can't come to a consensus regarding how to diagnose ADD/ADHD, then why are they making across-the-board decisions as to how to treat individuals who have been diagnosed with the disorder?
In light of the growing controversy surrounding the diagnosis, and increasing misdiagnosis, of ADD/ADHD and the questionable administration of stimulant medications as a form of treatment, it is wise to proceed with caution whenever symptoms might lead to such a diagnosis.
If you find yourself in a position where ADD/ADHD is suspected, then some guidelines to follow are:
- Don't settle for one diagnosis of ADD/ADHD by a medical professional what's more after just one observations.
- The diagnosis of ADD/ADHD should be one of a final diagnosis and if this did not involve eliminating the possibility of another disorder, nutritional imbalance, or food allergies and sensitivities then it is not a real diagnosis.
- If the final conclusion points to ADD/ADHD then one should not just settle for medications involving stimulants. One should always go for other possible treatments first as the side effects are too risky especially when used for children.
- The last thing you need is to fall for any quick fix solution. These sort of fad diagnosis would more often than not be offering stimulants as the quick remedy. Therefore, avoid at all cost.
An educated individual is one who is best able to make intelligent decisions regarding his or her own medical treatment, or regarding the treatment of children.
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