Ritalin And Other Stimulant Medications Can Do More Harm Than Good In Treatment Of Add/adhd

Ritalin And Other Stimulant Medications Can Do More Harm Than Good In Treatment Of Add/adhd

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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.

- As shown by recent statistics, 10% of our children have been diagnosed ADD/ADHD.
- Ritalin and other stimulants have been used for treatment of ADD/ADHD for as many as five million children.
- 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.

The usage of Ritalin and other stimulants in treatment of ADD/ADHD can cause more than just side effects. There have been prove that these stimulants can lead to a more serious health problems such as damaging the functioning of the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal system and this will in turn endanger the lives of these children who depend on them. Parents have been pressured by many to opt for these stimulants as treatment for ADD/ADHD but they have not been informed of the requirement of using this medication.

The hazardous effects are:
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!

Although in pill form, Ritalin does not produce the immediate stimulant effects as cocaine, addicts that crush and inject Ritalin have found the rush to be just as pleasant. One European study found that, even though encapsulated Ritalin (pill form) didn't produce an immediate rush, once metabolized, the drug occupies more dopamine receptors than cocaine does. In essence, Ritalin has more of an effect on brain receptors than 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?

This concern have also been voiced out in the January 2005 issue of Pediatrics in which the 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) was bought forth. The article also stated that because the medical community didn't come to a consensus on how to diagnose ADD/ADHD, they should not be making extensive 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.

Some good rules to follow whenever ADD/ADHD might be suspected are:
- One should not settle for a single diagnosis of ADD/ADHD by any practitioner even so after a single observation alone.

- Never accept a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD on face value alone. A diagnosis that has been delivered without eliminating the possibility of another disorder, nutritional imbalance, or food allergies and sensitivities is not a real diagnosis. A real diagnosis never involves a lets-try-this-medication-and-see-if-it-helps approach.

- If ADD/ADHD is the appropriate diagnosis then medications such as stimulants should be the last choice of treatment. They should only be used after exploring other form of medication because the dangers in administering ADD/ADHD medications, especially to a child, are just far too great too risky.

- Do not fall for quick fix solution because they would usually involve medications such as stimulants. All type of quick fix fad should be perceived with suspicions.

A good decision on what medical treatment best suit oneself is one that educated individuals should be making and it is not only to safeguard yourself but your loved ones.

About the Author:
Jimmy Brownen is a leading expert in the field of ADD/ADHD and has years of experience in the treatment of it. For more information on the disorder or for alternative means of curing ADHD, please visit his site.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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