I think the drugging of kids in this way is very dangerous to their natural developement and wellbeing. ADHD has never been proven scientifically to exist. There are no biological tests available and diagnosis comes from a short checklist of symptoms which could apply to almost any child ie Clumsiness and fidgeting. If a child fails to pay attention he may just not be interested or there may be 100 other reasons. Every child is different and also very special and forcing kids to take such dangerous addictive substances is similar to child abuse. The best cure is old fashioned unconditional love,patience and understanding and also a healthy diet and plenty of sleep. Remember You know your child better than any psychiatrist who will just prescribe drugs and more drugs. Childhood is precious and so is health
How can doctors justify giving amphetamine type stimulants to growing energetic children?
- Asked
- 18 May 2010 by stopdruggingkids
- Updated
- 4 June 2013
- Topics
- attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), amphetamine
Responses (26)
ADHD does not have "a short check list", I mean, yeah, theres only 3 MAIN symptoms, but theres still other details to ADHD then just that. Medication is only prescribed to help with those symptoms so children can preform better while taking it, not to cause "child abused". Its impossiable to FORCE a child to take any medication, It all comes down to what the child wants to do. Because, a child isnt going to take a pill if he/she doesnt want to take. An some children these days arent able to witness or have "old fashioned unconditional love, patience and understanding" from anyone. So the only alternative for them are medication, witch works great for them most of the time. And yes, parents usually do know there child better then there psychiatrist, but the psychiatrist most likely knows more about diseases, disorders and medications then the parents do. So dont you sit there and try to accuse the children and docters of problams that you feel isnt right! And the docters only want to help, not "abuse"!
in my case i have "adult adhd" and i know more times than not people are mis diagnosed. i dont think a child should be forced to take a medication just as a babysitting method, ya know. i was just recently diagnosed and the med im on is a stimulant but as with EVERYONE medication affects each person differently and u can set your watch by it... i take meds in the morning and within 45mins im asleep for hrs on in. so... no children shouldnt be forced to take meds that can simply be taken care of with showing children love and attention.im not happy with my med and told my dr and he not only didnt and wouldnt change it... he upped the dosage and milligrams and i feel like a walking zombie WHEN im actually awake.i would hate to know any child had to be feeling as i do without the understanding of why they feel as they do... and stimulants r very addictive, im with ya all the way on this one!
Thanks so much but why are you letting the doctor label you with this so called disorder which has NEVER been proven scientifically to even exist. It was dreamed up by psychiatrists many of which have financial ties to drug companies who are now making billions out of ADHD. If you want to stay more mentally alert try omega 3 fish oils or ginseng . Eat healthy and try to stay off chemical drugs. Notice how doctors never want to cure you they only want to manage symptoms often for life which keeps the money rolling in for drug companies. I have given up on doctors. I think most of them suffer with ODD(Over diagnosing disorder) and we should be putting them on pills !!!
Are you related to John Candy? He was one of my favourite actors.
You only live once so dont let ADHD stimulants ruin your life. You are just human
amen, (stopdruggingkids)
The medication has a reverse effect for children that run like they are a motor. Their minds are racing so fast chemically that it is almost impossible for them to concentrate on school work, directions, tv shows, etc... our child has become a model student thanks to medication. Without his medication his teacher notices a huge difference. His doctor says that he is at a disadvantage compared to the other students who's brains are functioning normally. I respect that you have your opinion on the matter but you are preaching it when us mothers that have to take care of a child that has the condition hurts and cry's almost all the time because he has been held back in school and doesnt have any friends cause of his actions and non-actions. Please before you have an opinion on the matter consider the fact that for one his doctor did not feel he needed this I did because I was tired of watching my son go nowhere in school fast.
that is exactly like my son who was just diagnosed he was like the energizer bunny commercial always going and he was always in trouble at school for not being able to sit still and listen we are still trying to get his meds right but we will get there I have no doubt.
If you keep him on amphetamine stimulants for some time his health is under severe risk. The drugs are a quick fix but in no way a solution when they are proven to cause heart defects,tics,weight loss,amphetamine mood disorder,liver and kidney damage and even sudden death in children. Please read the book "The ADHD Fraud:How psychiatry makes patients of normal children " by Fred Baughman Lots of kids are always on the go but it does not mean they are ill. Its because he's a kid and probably a real charactor. The so called symptoms for ADHD also match the symptoms for a gifted child. One who gets bored easily! Teachers should not be pressurising parents to medicate their kids just to make their jobs easier.
Drug companies are making huge profits from ADHD. Childrens health should come first. These stimulants can even stunt growth. Kids deserve much better help than this poison!
I am an adult that believes... no... KNOWS that I have had ADHD all my life although had never before seeked treatment for it until recently. After an eight hour test at the University of Michigan Health Care Center, I was told that I had symptoms of adult ADHD but could not be diagnosed because none of my symptoms had been documented as a child. (Odd, since you contend that all the Docs are overdiagnosing and just thrilled to write another script). I have since gotten treatment through behavior modification and a very light dosage of adderral (15mgs). It has completely changed my life for the better in many ways. There certainly are side effects to the meds but they are small challenges compared to what I had been battling all my life. These symptoms were not "Clumsiness" and "Fidgeting" as you believe but much more persistant and serious.
These stimulants have been proven by experts to cause heart attacks, psychosis,violence,strokes and sudden death. Many are in the same class as cocaine It has been proven that they can stunt growth . The drugs are putting childrens health at risk .Children are in danger of developing side effects like Tardive Dyskinesia , Tics and twiches. It is not fair to give little children such dangerous and addictive medicine when there are so many other ways to help them. I believe many doctors have 0DD(Over diagnosing disorder) No it hasnt been proven but then neither has ADHD.
Labelling and stigmatisng a child is the worst thing you can do Im sorry but I am entitled to my opinion. I just hope that by reading this parents may now seek out NATURAL non drug methods of helping their kids.
I have seen this comment by "stopdruggingkids"a few times now. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I just wanted everyone to know the source of some of this information "stop.." is giving you.
First, the CCHR website that ends all of her comments refers to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights. This organization was founded by Psychiatrist Szasz and the church of Scientology. The core belief of this group is that our bodies are empty vessels filled by the souls of alien life forms. They have a museum in Hollywood called. "Psychiatry: A MUseum of Death" in which they document how the field of psychiatry is aiming for world domination. They alledge that Adolph Hitler plays an important role in this.
I can, and will, go on in my critique of this organization "stop.." consistently proffers as helpful but feel free to check it out yourselves.
On the "existence" of ADHD.
There are many disorders, both mental and physical, which have no surefire test -- our body of knowledge on the science of the human body and mind is far from complete, and if scientists only explored what can only be proved to the layperson we'd have no science at all.
That being said, it behooves us not to condemn that which we do not understand. I didn't initially understand my husband's disease (bipolar disorder), which progressed quickly in his last years here on the earth, ultimately resulting in his suicide (this was without medication -- he resisted meds, not out of disbelief but just his sheer, heartbreaking, stubbornness, and despite that it really helped him for the 4 months in 1999 when he did take them). There's no test for bipolar disorder either, no scientific proof at all. But as much as I came to know about it in my attempts to support him, I could now write a book.
This! I spent so long thinking I was just stupid and not cut out for success at all. I was dx'ed with ADHD in 2003 at the age of 18.
Thank you for a thoughtful and well-reasoned comment^.^
lol ! I wish my psych also overdiagnosed . I have been battling inattentive ADHD all my life but came to know its a disorder only a yr ago . Still I didn't to go to the psych for a yr till now when I couldn't focus on anything at all.
Before I used to think I'm inattentive coz of the atmosphere at home what with dad being an alcoholic and mom taking out her frustrations on me as I never lived up to my own ,my parents' ,my friends' or teachers' expectations
.
But dad has been sober for a yr now. Mom cheerful all the time but my mind is still racing. I was supposed to be preparing for an exam but I could finish 1 single book in 4 months and then not a single chapter in the next 8. Finally I had to see the psych. But he refused to believe I had ADHD.
4 yrs ago at the age of 23 I moved back with my parents to prepare for an exam. Within months, in Jan 07 I had my first panic attack in a mall. I didn't realise what was happening and was confined to my house for a year .When my parents asked me to go out with them I'd make excuses that i'm studying. But I did try. I'd get dressed but by the time I got into the car I would be pale, short of breath, shaking, dizzy etc etc. I read somewhere that attacks passed after 10-15mins. Well not in my case. Every social occasion was torture.
Now that Ive finally somehow gone through the other answers even I want to say a few things about my childhood. Although my dad was an alcoholic he has always been quite a loving person. And its not like mom nagged me day and night. She scolded me when my results came out because she couldn't understand why I always underperformed. Throughout my school and college life my teachers,family and friends felt I'd be really successful. I have an IQ of 140 so I'm not dumb.
I had a great childhood. We had an orchard where I'd run around with around 10 friends all my age climbing trees and eating fruits. My dad would take us out on drives.My maternal grandparents lived with us.
It sounds like you were under a lot of pressure from your parents to suceed but its not the most important thing in the world. Many kids find school overwhelming and lots of kids daydream.especially during double maths... Dont be so hard on yourself. Being an honest kind considerate person is much better than being an arrogant greedy businessman.
The thing about ADHD stimulants is that they may make you feel good for a while but then your body will become tolerant to the effects and you will need to keep upping the dose .The longer you take them the more prone you will be to side effects like tics,weight loss and damage to your internal organs because they are not a long term solution. Taking continuous medication will also greatly weaken your immune system so you will find it harder to shake off colds etc.
Thanks. You remind me of my own mom ( although you might be younger idk) , she is also paranoid against prescription meds becaude of their addictive quality and side effects.
She is a highly educated person and a high ranking officer so it is difficult for me as her daughter not to try to be as successful as her if not more.
I don't know what set off my panic attacks because my younger brother also faced the same problems at home but he is perfectly fine. He is cool headed like my mom while I take after my dad. When my brother was young he was so slow my mom thought he won't pass high school.
I used to feel as you do until my son entered school. I can telll you that a child who had ADHD have such a hard time. The easiest way to explain is picture a tv that constantly changes channels that is how their brains are going. And kids that go untested because the parents dont want their child medicated... That is child abuse my son now is 16 and he was put on it two months ago as a trial only basis. when we went in for his check up he honestly hugged his doctor and thanked her .
Give the poor child a chance to be able to concentrate and feel in more control. It doesnt mean it will be forever and if you have a good doctor they will monitor your child and there are other meds similar.
Or you can watch your child go thru special ed-because they cant concentrate long enough to learn.Low self esteem and always in trouble. It isnt their fault. There isnt anything i have ever heard of "forcing" drugs on kids.That is where responsible parenting comes in. Just dont limit your childs ability to be able to learn and love. You would be amazed.
There is no test,chemical,biological or pathological which proves any child has ADHD. It is not a disease or neurobehavioural disorder which would imply there is something wrong with the childs brain. The brains of so called ADHD children are no different from normal children unless they are taking dangerous amphetamines or SPEED because thats what it is.These amphetamine stimulants can cause brain tissue to actually shrink. They speed up the heart rate and raise blood pressure and can and have caused sudden death in children . Read the book written by a child neurologist and doctor titled "The ADHD Fraud:How psychiatry turns normal children into patients" Teachers should not be telling parents to put their kids on dangerous drugs just to make their jobs easier.
I just want to start off by saying.That I am not in any way trying to add to or start an arguement with you.I am only here trying to provide support and useful information to you and or your family.In all honesty and respect.If you don't want your kids taking Psycotropic stimulant drugs that is fine.It is completely your choice and as a citizen your right!!!
I saw signs of my daughter's ADD as early as kindergarden. In first grade she was unable to get her work done in class, always daydreaming and watching the other kids. Her teacher felt it was a maturity issue and that she would outgrow it. We started a behavorial reinforcement program to help her learn to get her work done during class. We started with a book that she she brought back and fourth each day and the teacher would give her a happy face when she did well. When she did not she would send the work home. She was able to get the work done at home because I now understand that I sat with her and kept her on task. As she progressed into second grade about mid year it became apparent that she could no longer keep up with the class work requirements. This teacher would not allow her to bring the work home where I would keep her on task. We started to use some behavorial programs to help her stay on task in class.
My concern is that amphetamine stimulants are addictive and you may need to keep upping the dose to get the same effect. Long term use of stimulants can cause heart defects , liver and kidney damage and even sudden death . I suggest you read the book "The ADHD Fraud :How psychiatry makes patients out of normal children by Fred Baughman MD. Stimulants may be a quick fix but they cause much damage to the body if taken regularly.
There are other ways to sort out behavioural problems other than dangerous amphetamines.
Do you have ADHD or know someone with it? It is a chemical imbalance, in part. Would you not take medication for asthma... for blood pressure? Just where are you getting all this info you report here as fact? Are you a physician? Have you cured bunches of kids with unconditional love? Have you ever had a child take a medication for anything? Have you ever had a 7 year old tell you he hated himself because he could not hear his teachers? Do you know the dangers of low self esteem in children? My child gets unconditional love and always has. I used to judge people who gave children meds (silently though, I would never post like you have). But a small dose of medication allowed him to hear: It cleared the path and things we no longer overwhelming. We are using the medication with a physicians guidance in conjunction with behavior modification techniques.
If ADHD was caused by a chemical imbalance as you've been told, there would be a simple blood test or lab test to confirm this . Diabetes is caused by a chemical imbalance and can be confirmed by a blood test. ADHD has not been scientifically proven to exist like other medical conditions and putting a child on amphetamines is extremely risky as they can cause sudden death and heart defects,also tics,weight loss,liver and kidney damage and stunted growth. There are other safer ways to help your child with his schooling. Please visit www.ritalindeath.com .
I just care about kids and don't want anymore to die. I'm sorry but I think drug companies are promoting ADHD far too much in order to make huge profits. The list of so called symptoms describe typical ways in which young kids behave, NOT a mental disorder requiring years of dangerous drug treatment. These are little kids whose brains are still growing and developing
The book you quote is at least 4 years old. I read it when it came out. I also have ADD (I am 49) as you likely know from my profile. ADHD is regarded as a physical problem, and not an emotional one. This is because it is a result of some chemical imbalance in the brain. It is believed that external factors do not cause ADHD. They only affect how the symptoms come to light. Your info about military service is wrong also. First of all, someone with an active problem with ADHD probably should not be in the military, as they (the person with ADHD) would likely agree. But it is not a basis for denial of service. If you've been on medication within the last year or display current symptoms. That's fine with me. I know I should not be in the military. Asthma used to be a disqualifier too, all sorts of things did. All of this has been rewritten and if you are going to educate folks you should get your facts straight... what you wrote was true in 2003, changed in 2004.
Science has been providing progressively more revealing answers, and at this point it's done, at least in terms of "does ADHD exist." So please, if you have resisted before the concept of ADHD being an actual disorder -- absorb the meaning of the current findings and open your mind so that you can be more supportive of our little claim to humanity going forward.
On September 30, 2010 the findings of a study which reveals DNA evidence of genetic manifestations of the disorder were announced. I've included some summarical excerpts from a general article about the study, "ADHD Is A Genetic Neurodevelopmental Disorder, Scientists Reveal," for which I've provided a link.
The latest genetic findings have been hugely exaggerated . The so called genetic link was found in only 14% of the ADHD children compared to 7% of the non ADHD. Also the scientists who did the trial were from The Welcome Trust who are also a drug company and may have a vested interest. These findings are not proof that ADHD exists at all as a disease or neurological condition. I also wonder how many of the ADHD children were on stimulant amphetamine medication. This could have caused chemical changes and differences. I know psychiatry is keen to prove ADHD as a brain disorder but without a scientific clear cut test which proves 100% that a child has it many people like myself think of it as pseudoscience and an excuse to drug children and make a profit. Sorry!
14%, 7%, it matters not -- because as with most diseases and disorders, there's no single factor which causes it to occur. There are genetic markers with which we all are born, and our social and physical environments can also further trigger us. The article reveals the discovery of an array of DNA markers which can be factored in to the total picture of how it occurs. Do you really think they are making it up? A fake array of DNA evidence? The purpose of the study isn't to convince people of its existence, so any conspiracy theorizing is just redundant. The disorder exists. Studying its basis in this way is done to provide increasingly better help in the future for those encumbered by this and other disorders, as the entire array of data that lives in us is compiled: that we may minimize human suffering.
I have been taking meds for ADD for several months now. It came up in a visit with my therapist, that I have been ADD my whole life. My kindergarten teacher used to make me run around the school until I got tired, so I could focus. I did this many times a week. When that story came up, my Doctor stopped where we were, and started asking me more pointed questions. Turns out, ADD, life long. Here is why I wish i had been diagnosed, and treated early in life... ADD causes us to feel like losers, that we dont fit in, that we arent smart, makes us daydream, and lose interest quickly, causes boredom, which in my case often leads to bad behavior, then making me to look like a problem child... early childhood is where you start to develop social skills, self esteem, and a multitude of other things, but when you are ADD, all of that gets skewed...
I wonder how long you think you can take stimulant meds until their harsh effects start to really play havoc with your health. These stimulants are amphetamines, Yes they enhance performance because they are SPEED. They also speed up your heart rate and raise blood pressure. Taken long term they stunt growth,shrink brain tissue, cause liver and kidney damage , cause heart defects and can cause sudden death. The problems you have need to be sorted out in a safer way . Scientists have now discovered that the human brain goes on developing well into our 40's, so to taking drugs which change and also damage brain cells and natural developement is very risky. I think you should read the book "The ADHD Fraud: How psychiatry makes patients out of normal children " by Fred Baughman MD and neurologist. Also have you read "Mad in America " by Robert Whittaker.
Further Information
- Amphetamine Information for Consumers
- Amphetamine Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Amphetamine (detailed)
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ADHD is not a disease like cancer. It was merely invented and added to the book The DSM(The statistical manual of mental disorders) which medicalises most everyday feelings,emotions, habits and personality traits and calls them disorders.This book rakes in billions each day for drug companies and doctors. ADHD stimulants may seem to work for a short while but soon the drugs will start to interfere with the normal functioning of a growing childs body. causing them to have stunted growth, heart problems and gastronomical disfunctioning. Aggressive advertising by drug companies is making parents worry if there child has ADHD and any lively mischievious child is now in danger of being labelled with this unproven disorder. I blame the drug companies and psychiatrists for medicalising childish behaviour in this way. If a child stays on this medication through school he will probably end up too ill to work when he is older so all that paying attention was for nothing. Growing kids need a healthy diet NOT containing class A drugs. I am very sorry if I have upset you.
Yes, I know that, its just type of mental condtion. And even if a child that would be prescribed this type of medication, and doesnt have ADHD, it still might be helpful with hes symptoms and problams. The truth about it all, is these types of medications have helped many peaple with there probalms that they had to suffer though. Even though some peaple have had bad side-affects with it. But im pretty sure that the docter tells you most of the symptoms you might get with it. Like I said before, docters and psychiatrist CAN NOT make you take these medications. I believe that everyone is intitled to somewhat of a opinoin. I also believe that ADHD does not have to be "proven scientifically to exist".
I notice you are only young and I cannot tell you what to do but please be carefull not to get addicted to prescription drugs . Im a mum of five and I care about kids .They need a healthy diet when growing up . I do not agree with labeling them and telling them they have a mental disorder because they are being naughty in school. These type of kids might be unhappy at home or be worried about something but they are certainly not mental !
I believe psychiatrists now want to label toddlers who throw temper tantrums as having a mental disorder. They want to add this to the DSM book.
This is what most parents call the terrible twos and practically all kids go through it. No doubt they will be trying to give babies drugs next!!
Good luck with whatever you are doing and God bless you,You are the same age as one of my daughters
Well, yes, I am "young". But just because im young, an dont have long complacated arguments on my computer with strangers about shit that they dont know what were talking about, or sometimes accidentally misspell words, or not use them incorrectly, doesnt mean im not knowleagable about this subject. I probally know more and been though more on this subject then you ever will in your life. If one of your children has ADHD, or maby even your daughter, I know you would have a different perspective on this whole outcome. An mrspage82 knows exactly what im talking about when I say that. I wasnt being literal when I said that, no one is going to be putting babys on any kind of medication that is harmful to them, unless they want to get sued by the parents, because now days parents are just looking for something to sue the docters with. How do you think court would see it as if a child psychiatrist or docter prescribed an infent harmful medication?? Think about it..
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An how can you wish me good luck when you have no idea what im going though??? Dont say shit like that if you dont mean it!
hernandaz123, I am so glad when I see people defend what they know to be true! I don't care if you are 16, if you know what you talking about, that's good enough for me. My son was in third grade before I heard the words ADD, I basically (medically) ignored it. As he got older the problem became worse he couln't sit still in hs chair for more than five minutes, he would come home with all his papers just balled up in his backpack. Unfortunatlly, his teachers kept passing him to the next grade and we thought it was just poor study habits, we tried but then the homework would go back (finished) but wadded up worse than when he brought it home. He quit school at sixteen, he was already 6'2" and didn't even know the correct order of the months in a year. Today, he could fix your computer almost as fast as a professional, but unbenownst to me was beginning to dabble in narcotics. He is in recovery now and on a mood stabilizer.
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This is the first time I have seen him concentrate and sit still in his whole life. As a adult he recognized his own problems and did something about them He is progressing far beyond my hopes and prayers. I was (and am ) a good and caring mom, but 18 years ago, the information on ADD was scary and confusing. I applaud you on your intelligence im the matter and your lack of fear to speak up! Fall Queen
Hernandez123 this person is only trying to upset folks. ADHD is not a mental disorder. Stopdruggingkids is spreading misinformation. No medication should be taken long term unless necessary. This person should not be judging whether you need medication. They are not trying to help. They are trying to make you angry. It worked with me. I, for one, will never respond to this fool again. jojojo09
I am sorry that i am a slacker and didn't follow up on the comment that i sent to stopdrugginkids i am SO thankful to the comment left by hernandez. i completly agree. My son was so hyper and needed a medication he wasnt living with me in his younger yrs.(long story :) ) But he is now and i am so sad for him. even though the teachers wrote letters home to his dads they were never followed up on. and the teacher would pass them thru anyways. He was just yelled at for being a trouble maker and started young with legal
problems mainly fights. another long story ! (if anyone is ever bored i would love to chat about it it has a very awesome ending inspiring even) feel that if he would have been to a doctor sooner he would not have had to suffer so long he would have passed his levels in junior high etc. i think that he wouldnt have started drugs maybe.
IF A PARENT STAYS INVOLVED WITH THEIR CHILDS LIFE THERE WOULDNT BE SO MUCH SUFFERING FOR THESE CHILDREN/YOUNG ADULTS. GIVE THE KID A CHANCE TO MAKE
iagree hernandaz
I have a cousin and when she was six she could not sit still we as a family just knew she had problems they placed her in special classes at school they ended up with a "family doctor" who seemed to think it was one problem and then another she sent her to a psychiatrist who put her through many drugs she is almost in her teens now she is on less medication but she still has the problem still takes a lot of understanding from everyone and all have to be committed.
Hernandaz123, you are correct sir, I don't believe all doctors are out to abuse children. I also believe that some doctors are too quick to diagnose ADD etc.. However, as a Nurse I can tell you that a real case of ADD will show a child that can't concentrate on anything for very long periods of time, they will also be very energetic, and with that, I mean pinging around a room and hitting every corner of the room within seconds. As a mother of an OCD,ADD child, I can tell you that Adderal has changed his life in a most positive way. Yes, it is an amphetimine, however, when a person is truly add or OCD etc..it works in just the opposite way. It calms them down and allows them to function in a normal way. A lot of highly active children have been poorly diagnosed with these symptoms, and didn't really need the meds. For a while there, around the 80's I think it was, just about every hyper-active child was being wrongly diagnosed as OCD etc...
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it's difficult to diagnose, especially with kids. But trust me when I say this, if your child has OCD, you will know it without a doctor telling you so. It took years of doctors, meds, and my own TLC to get him to where he is today. A strong, healthy, productive young adult and I have no regrets about seeking out the right care for him. I'm a nurse, but my most important job has always been the well being of my children. Sometimes all the love and attention are just not enough to make things right. A mother will protect her child with her life. And she will get very defensive if she see's someone or something as a threat to them. Everybody does things differently with their kids, and everybody has their own opinion of things. This has been my opinion. Sincerely, NIK
WOW!!! Everybody needs to take a breath and calm down. We are not here to fight with each other. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. aving said that, I can't believe how upset people are getting over this topic. maybe stop drugging kids has had a bad experience with a child of hers and doctors. And Hernandaz123, just because you are young doesn't mean you don't understand. And no, we don't know what you are going through or have been through. And not all mothers are give their child a warm and fuzzy feeling. some are real monsters. And I am not referring to anyone here. We are here to help each other. I am a 54 year old mother and grandmother, and a nurse, but that doesn't mean that the advise of a 16 year old, or however old you are, can't be of use to me. I welcome every bodies opinions, and if anyone would like to speak privately, I'm here. I do get bored, so ask away!!! I'm usually here from about 11pm until whenever.
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I've gotten some really good advice from all ages and I for one appreciated all of it. Keep in touch everyone. NIK
By the way, it's "doctor". And I agree that our society is over drugging people that is why they are ending up disabled and dependent. I don't agree with drugging kids and am beginning to doubt this whole profession. I don't have enough energy and they're treating me for add and bipolar. I wish I never started down the road with these medications and just got through the rough patch in my life the old fashioned ways. Most of my twenties have been robbed of me because I'm always waiting to feel better on medications or have to be in bed because it makes me too sedated. We'll see.
I have to agree with just about everyone here!!! I used to think that people that gave their kids drugs were just lazy parents that didn't want to deal with them or show any authority and give a little discipline! I even wrote an essay on it in high school and how I thought it was wrong! HAHAHA!! Fast forward a few years and I have a 5 year old in kindergarden who is having some major problems in school, and trust me when I tell ya that my husband and I are not the type of people that will just sit there while our kids beat us in the face and call us names. ( by the way they have never done that just giving an example) His teacher tried to sugar coat every thing to make us feel better finally I said just be honest and tell me what you think.
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She said "I think maybe he sould go to a Mental Health Professional"So my husband and I not knowing what to do took him to the doctor, and before we could even tell him what all was going on, as a matter of fact I don't even think we got our coats off he handed us a prescription for Ridilin and sent us on our way. Well not knowing anyhting about it we go home and start the med. about two weeks later we notice him being very hateful to everyone and for the first time I descided to look up the med. on the internet and I couldn't believe my eyes there were pages and pages of awfull side affects, thats when we just decided to take him off of it and to just try to do things "the old fasion way". Fast Forward another 2 years and he is in second grade having the same problems only this time they are gettings worse and some new ones have been added to the mix. I went back to his regular doctor only this time I put my helmet on and was ready for war!! I literally was on my knees begging him to write a referal to a menal health professional, seriously I had to follow him out of the office screaming and crying to take me serious. Well needless to say I got a referal! HA finally! When we got there it was a very invasive and time taking inerview (not just two or three questions) and about one week later a case worker came to our house and sat down with my husband and I and gave us the prognosses, ADHD. I wasn't shocked, honetly I was relieved, to hear a name to what we had been dealing with for years now. On his next appt. we talked about our options of help we could get, we decided to go with "play therapy", no meds. Well we noticed some changes but nothing to write home about if ya know what I mean, so I sat down with the doc. and had an actual conversation with her about different meds. and how they worked and what the side affects were. At first we went with a stimulant. Well same thing happened this time like it did last time, weird side affects plus apon reviewal of the med. on the internet we decided once again to take him off of it. I went back to the doc. and told her what my concerns were and what was going on and she put him some new med. Intuniv is the name of it and it is a non-stimulant unlike the others and the side affects are nothing like the others even the pharmacist talked highly about this medication, she actually said she wished every parent would try this first instead of anything else. Well its been about two months of him taking this medication and i must say I can't believe my eyes, he is still himself only now he wants to sit and pay closer attention he is interested in doing his work but yet he still wants to get up and play and he still acts like a 7 year old kid. My point in writing this is to voice my opinion I think it takes a caring loving parent to want to help there child in any way they can, wouldn't you do any thing to make your child happy? It sometimes takes a little more than just TLC to help them, but be sure and do your part as a parent and do YOUR "homework" and find what you think is best to do for your child! Not everything thats works for one kid might not work for yours and yes certin meds. sould not be taken for a long extended time they can be harmful and they can stunt growth but as long as you do your research you will find the right answers that you were looking for. And just from my experience I could literally never force my child to take or eat anything they didn't want to. Also keep in my your child can't do research and they don't know what they are taking, so there for you are responsible for what ever may result from what they take. Please pay attention to your childs needs!!
Children have died from taking ADHD stimulants at usual prescribed doses and many children are having horrendous side effects like losing weight and stunted growth. Is it not time that doctors and drug companies saw sense and banned these dangerous drugs for kids... You would not give a five year old alcohol , so don,t give them dangerous amphetamines. Find a better and safer cure and stop brushing the deaths of children under the carpet. This is not exactly a medical breakthrough . It is a profit driven scam !
"Children have died from taking ADHD stimulants at usual prescribed doses and many children are having horrendous side effects like losing weight and stunted growth. Is it not time that doctors and drug companies saw sense and banned these dangerous drugs for kids... You would not give a five year old alcohol , so don,t give them dangerous amphetamines. Find a better and safer cure and stop brushing the deaths of children under the carpet. This is not exactly a medical breakthrough . It is a profit driven scam !"
Children also die from suicide b/c they've been told they are bad and stupid their whole lives. They also die when they start drinking and using drugs at a young age to self medicate b/c no one has responsibly medicated their disorder before. They also die when they drop out of school the minute they can b/c they can't stand to be there anymore and they end up in trouble with the law, in a gang, etc.
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Again, you have no clue what you're talking about. If it makes you feel better to say you are on a crusade "for the children," maybe you need to take a look at yourself and figure out what your issues are... because you clearly have some other need you are filling by what you're writing. Maybe there are some meds that can help you!
in response to stopdruggingkids: the DSM-IV is not making tons of money from drug companies, because they are not allowed to list actual medications in the book so it wouldn't even benefit from it. The DSM does not say what treatment should take place and is simply for diagnostic tool so your comment needs to be proven. It does list way too many mental disorders and tends to allow almost any in, but ADHD really does exist. I dont blame you for not believing it as I didnt despite the fact that I lived with two brothers (and had experienced the effects of the disorder for two years before I came to terms that something wasnt right with the way I felt and acted). It wasnt just being fidgety and stuff, but I also couldnt function right in social situations as my brain was moving 1000 miles faster or in a different direction or I would impulsively add comments in and talk way too fast.
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It was embarrassing to me (even my family joked about it but even today I am insecure in social situations because I still have to watch my speaking. This is just one aspect I went from being a straight A student to a C and D student and after I began being treated at 16 (and I did not tell my teachers either so no one can say they treated me differently) my grades rose dramatically and I was able to excel in honors courses as I had before (I was in an advanced class program before my ADHD got worse). I struggle daily and I wish that it was all fake, because I hate having it. I dont use it as an excuse to be a "bum"... I am a full time student and work 24-32 hours a weekk to support myself. I think therapies should definitely be incorporated, but if it has to do with a biological basis medications might be necessary to help.
Williams35's post in response to stopdruggingkids comment that we are killing children with these drugs:
"Children also die from suicide b/c they've been told they are bad and stupid their whole lives. They also die when they start drinking and using drugs at a young age to self medicate b/c no one has responsibly medicated their disorder before. They also die when they drop out of school the minute they can b/c they can't stand to be there anymore and they end up in trouble with the law, in a gang, etc."
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I agree completely. I was drinking at 14 because I could not find my place in society as a result of everyone ignoring, including myself, that I had a real problem I couldnt control. I was ridiculed by teachers for my disorganization and my inability to stay focused or work well in groups, so I went from getting great grades (as my elementary teachers were more understanding) to rebelling as my newer teachers ridiculed me instead of trying to work with me to fix the problem. I hated wanting to do well and being out of control. Unless you have experienced the feeling of having "white noise" in the background of your head when it is completely silent or you are trying to think and concentrate on a task (or one of the other characteristics of the disorder) then you cannot say that everyone suffering isnt really suffering from anything. I am glad I was strong enough to want a better life and not be an alcoholic someday or I wouldn't have sought the help I have.In addition to my own experiences, I can also say I have learned a lot in different psychology classes I am taking as I finish my associates and transfer to finish my nursing degree, so there is knowledge and research to what I am saying.