Maybe Attention Deficit Isn't The Real Problem

re: Maybe Attention Deficit Isn't The Real Problem

LoriJean — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:23:56 GMT

I think your are right there, Dr. Mercola. I was just reading a blurp on the past page on "Ritalin Being More Potent Than Cocaine," and with analyzing this one piece one lady was saying about how her daughter was acting in school until they put her on ritalin. Then the daughter was doing well until 7 months later when she acted up again, and as time went on the daughter ran away from home, lying etc. It sounds to me like the daughter was the classical case of a spoilt brat and the parents would not take charge to correct her of this problem. We have some children in our neighbourhood who have the same problem. Children, teenagers who are simply spoilt brats. And the parents are no better themselves. My husband and I have both witnessed in stores parents acting out of frustration over their children and their misbehaviour, reacting severly to their childrens reacting. To my dismay, the parents with their children walked out of the store. We witnessed one set of parents being hauled out of the store by security, because they were reacting very badly to their childrens reacting (acting worse than terribly). These parents should not be having children if all they can do in graze their children, not raise their children. I realize parents do not come with manuals when a birth of a child takes place, but, a child does need guidance, discipline, love, and education not only in school, but, at home, as well on proper behaviour, respect for others (especially differences), tolerance.

re: Maybe Attention Deficit Isn't The Real Problem

Dr.AndrewK — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:00:42 GMT

"What if the problem is simply that some of these kids have minds, and spirits, of their own?"

It is a problem if these children's minds are not allowing them to succeed as they should- if their attentional problems cause them to put all their friends offside and leave them as loners struggling to make their way in the world.

It is easy to play devils advocate- but until you have clinical experience of these problems it is hard to appreciate just how much lifelong suffering ADD can cause. As a medical practitoner of many years experience I had harboured great doubts about the diagnosis of ADHD until I was fortunate enough to witness the improvement in a number of my child and adult patents when they were treated with dexamphetamine and Ritalin. Looking at it now I am embarrassed that these patients or their parents had to come to me asking for referrals to practitioners they and found seeking confirmation and treatment of diagnoses they had already made on themselves.

re: Maybe Attention Deficit Isn't The Real Problem

Dr.AndrewK — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:40:12 GMT

I think the criticism of conventional medications in this article is excessive- and not supported by the literature as I understand it or by my experience or that of my colleages. I would also note that adult ADD is just as common as childhood ADD and also well worthy of treatment.

Having said that I am happy to recognise the value of such treatments as tyrosine and fish oil- not to mention caffeine avoidance. I do think a balanced approach with careful clinical assessment is vital. For many patients though Ritlin and dexamphetamine can turn their lives around and it is wrong to put people off what are essentially very safe medications with a long track record of usage.