Rats and Ritalin -- results=depression, stress

[NativeLI]

Everyone should also realize that all the "anti" med studies there are also "pro" med studies. For those parents who read those studies about the negative effects of medications and are scared, here are several links to positive studies on medication -

This study shows that meds are better in treating adhd than all other treatments -

www.specialednews.com/disabilities/disabnews/ADHDlongterm012300.html


This study shows a link between adhd left untreated and adult drug abuse

www.addandaddiction.com/the_link.htm

this is one doctors opinion that ritalin is possibly "under" prescribed, not overprescribed.

www.acsh.org/publications/priorities/0803/pcno.html

Catatonic - This quote by you above "A study of mentally retarded ADHD children (published in Journal of Abnormal Psychology August 1997) found that 5 years later, more than 2/3 of the original sample of 52 children continued to be prescribed methylphenidate, and that 2/3 of these remained at the 98th percentile of hyperactivity indexed behaviors. " I don't necessarily think we can compare the behaviors of mentally retarded children to normal IQ children with adhd.

In my situation, I had a son who was socially isolated, had zero self esteem, and was constantly being reprimanded by day care, teachers, relatives and parents for his behavior. Ritalin dramatically improved his ability to relate to others, follow socially acceptable rules, and excel in school. We tried behavior therapies, food therapies, and discipline strategies for three years. Ritalin worked wonders in two weeks. I now have a much more confident happy child who has a great social life and higher self esteem.

I'm not writing this to continue an argument. I'm writing it for the parents of children who are struggling every day with adhd and are trying to make an informed decision on whether to medicate or not, and who may be reading this thread and getting scared.

[DanielsMom]

Just my opinion!! If you are a responsible parent you would look at the pro and cons of medicating as opposed to not medicating and visa versa. I think a responsible parent would not just say OKAY, what ever you say. Not all doctors make the best decisions. One of my son's doc. was a total quack. You need to look at both sides, good and bad. And after you do all the research, you make the very best decision for you and your family. That is all that matters.

[Honeysmom]

I think it comes down to picking the lessor of the two evils. Without meds Honey will run into oncomming traffic without thinking. People don't like him because, as it hurts me to say, he constantly annoys them. His self esteem is low b/c he is always in troulbe.

So I look at it this way, running into traffic will hurt him, or worse. Not having any friends will make him lonely and isolated. And having low self esteem is terrible and can also lead to suicidal tendencies and depression.

You have to do what is best for you and your child. I am grateful for all of these posts because it does make me re-think our decision to use meds, and that is a good thing. I NEVER want to become lax about my attitude twords meds. As long as the information is accurate, it is always welcome here....Becky