ADHD & Ritalin

There has been recent debate in America recently over the distribution of Ritalin, the ‘wonder drug’ that treats kids suffering from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Studies have shown that the drug can cause more harm than good particularly in the long run as Ritalin is really just speed prescribed. More opinions within the medical world now are that ADHD might not exist at all, certainly there is no physical evidence for the case and numerous neurological studies have failed to find a problem. Personally ‘inattention and/or hyperactivity, as well as forgetfulness, poor impulse control or impulsivity, and distractibility’ is merely a list childish behaviour and I fail to see how these are unusual in children. Symptoms of being a child - perhaps. Excessive signs of following these traits are obviously a concern, a concern that American drug companies are happy to pump kids full of drugs.

In the UK 5% of children have been diagnosed with this condition so far and current trends are increasing. It begs the question – if as many as 1 in 20 children has ADHD is this not normal child behaviour or a result of the upbringing we let these children have? Putting young children in large classes from a young age, with parents working full time isn’t the most stimulating of upbringings and I imagine an adult in a similar situation would be no better. So why are guidelines in favour of pumping children with seriously powerful drugs? It may take the burden of bad behaviour away from parents and teachers, or it may be the way drug companies have huge governmental influence. In the world in pursuit of the perfect being it seems that love, support and willpower is no longer seen as a factor in achieving a balanced child. Are ‘chemical enhancers’- i.e. Pills - seen as the quick fix solution to the ‘disease’, a way of removing responsibility away from the parent or a sad insight in to modern day living?

I often wonder is the problem in classroom with the children with energy, demanding more, or the quiet ones unable to engage with others, the ones who go unnoticed in class until they return one day with a gun?.


http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/con...l~jumptype=rss

I forgot to add,
Would anyone willingly let their children take Ritalin?

IMO ADHT dont exist, naughty kids with no disapline in their lives and weak parents who cant control them and are to gutless to disapline them so look for a 'condition'

sorry if that causes offence to some on here but that is my opinion, and it wont change.

Originally Posted by neio79

IMO ADHD dont exist, naughty kids with no disapline in their lives and weak parents who cant control them and are to gutless to disapline them so look for a 'condition'

sorry if that causes offence to some on here but that is my opinion, and it wont change.

I couldn't work out whether you believe in adhd or not there...

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

I couldn't work out whether you believe in adhd or not there...

well for clarity, NO i dont .
we have always had naughty kids etc, but years ago they got smacks and told off etc and ADHT did not exist.

now it exists and most disapline (spelt wrong) at school and society has gone it appears, coincidence hmmmmmm let me think about that.

[Biker Biggles]

Im inclined to agree.There are and always have been a tiny number of kids(and adults)who have psychiatric problems that cause behavior issues,but not anything like 5%.These are just badly behaved kids who need to be made to face up to the consequences of their actions.

Ritalin is methylphenidate, not 'Speed', which is amphetamine. A subtle, but significant difference. In my experience 'Speed' is dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, or 'Dexys'), methamphetamine ('Meth') or Benzedrine ('Bennys'). Ritalin is much weaker, and lasts much less time.

Hunter S. Thompson wrote well in Screwjack (Mescalito) "Getting toward dawn now, very foggy in the head . . . and no Dexedrine left. For the first time in at least five years I am out of my little energy bombs. Nothing in the bottle but five Ritalin tablets and a big spansule of mescaline and "speed." I don't know the ratio of the mixture, or what kind of speed is in there with the mescaline. I have no idea what it will do to my head, my heart, or my body. But the Ritalin is useless at this point -- not strong enough -- so I'll have to risk the other."

Ritalin is great for focus, I'd say more so than amphetamine, like all stimulants it enhances concentration enormously, good for tasks like studying. I imagine that's why it's given to children as it doesn't have the 'mental' quality that amphetamines do. Like anything, taking it for too long does produce side-effects, but they're insignificant compared those you get when taking amphetamines for extended periods. Lack of sleep, or quality of sleep is the worst. That turns you more into a robot than the direct effect of the drugs themselves.
In terms of the morality of giving them to kids, I think you're right about it being in the drug companies interest to market and sell them.
Bad parenting is something that is not talked about in the press enough. It's ironic that as we become a more litigious, accountable and blame-obsessed culture, accountability for your children seems to be decreasing. Having no children myself, it's possibly wrong for me to comment, but that's my feeling on the subject.
Anti-depressants are of much more concern as they have much more dangerous side effects. The mellow kid in the corner who comes in with a gun, will almost definitely be on ADs. I don't know for sure, but I'd put money on the fact the 'Trench-coat Mafia' at Columbine High School were taking them.

I went to see Ross Noble a few years ago, he suggested tying obese kids to kids with ADHD to solve the problem. Genius.

[Bluepete]

I started to read this, then.......... meh.

Originally Posted by BluePete

I started to read this, then.......... meh.

Ha ha! Yes, you're probably right. I could've just said "Ritalin's not that bad, they used to use 'Speed' instead but that's pretty hardcore. Antidepressants are much worse. Drug companies are usually profit-driven rather than morality-driven.

Originally Posted by neio79

IMO ADHT dont exist, naughty kids with no disapline in their lives and weak parents who cant control them and are to gutless to disapline them so look for a 'condition'

sorry if that causes offence to some on here but that is my opinion, and it wont change.

Ah...but because there is so much confusion about how to discipline correctly, if they shout too loud/smack too hard (I dont think smacking is even legal anymore is it?) then they risk getting prosecuted and the kids know this.