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There is definately a difference between a child who has A.D.H.d and a child who is just boistrous. I don't think that GPs perscribe ritalin willy-nilly at all. My experience is exactly the opposite. As a mother, I was almost at my wits end after completing my seventh parenting course and still being told that my son's behaviour was because of some sort of disfunction at home. My son was unable to concentrate, make friends or have a meaningful relationship with anyone outside the family. He was doing really badly at school too - in the headmaster's office every day for bad behaviour and not doing his work because of lack of concentration. He was perscribed ritalin a year ago, and it has changed all of our lives. Home is no longer a battle zone. He is helpful and caring (both of which we never saw before). He now has close friends and is has caught up with his work - in fact, he is gifted in maths. I am not saying that ritalin is a magic cure because it won't cure disfunction in families, but I know that my son wouldn't be the happy chap that he is today without it. The last thing a mother wants to do is give her child ritalin, but for those of us living with A.D.H.D on a daily basis, sometimes it is a last resort, and sometimes it helps. Yes, I do worry about the future side effects of ritalin, but I honestly don't think that he would have had much of a future without it.

- Wendy, Exmouth, England

No, I do not care to try cannabis and fry something else in my brain. I have used it before, it helped, but it fries your mind, literally!!
Does anyone out there know of a doctor who specializes in reversing the effects of amphetamine brain damage? This is not cool at all!! I still have had no real breakthrough or any real luck.

- Brian, Rice,USA

My 11 year old son is currently going through the process of being prescribed this drug. We have struggled since he was 2 years old with his behaviour. We are not lazy, uneducated, ignorant people. He isn't fed junk, artificial colours, sweeteners, additives etc. He goes to a good school and is well cared for, but the effects of adhd should not be underestimated. It causes immense stress within a family and my husband has been made redundant due to the stress at home leading to him being unable to cope at work. People seem to assume that adhd can be cured with more discipline and better parenting, but this is simply not the case. Poor parenting can make the effects of adhd worse, but it cannot be controlled simply by fresh air, exercise and vegetables. It is a brain disorder. I didn't believe in its existence until I had my son - I have had to learn fast that it does exist and it can ruin families. I don't want to medicate my son, but after exhausting every option, this is all we have left.

- Tricia Neilson, UK

Ok, an update... I just recently had a full blood panel done, this was my second one. The first one my white blood cell count was a little low, but they confirmed that it was because of a flu I had that was going around just before 2009. My secone blood panel test showed my white blood cell count at a normal range and my testosterone levels were higher than the first test due to harder exercise and running. Both tests showed me being in well above average health for my age. So, no testosterone issues, no prostate issues, nothing. I take a whole food powder, liquid cal/mag citrate, I get omega3's from eating cold water fish I eat fruits and vegetables like Kale, apricots, pineapple, you name it. I have tried amino acids to boost dopamine with no luck though. To the best of my knowledge and according to Nora Volkow and other amphetamine researchers, my symbathetic nervous system, some dopamine receptors, and some other brain areas are more than likely damaged from neurotoxicity. The next step would be to get an MRI with a dopamine tracer, but I only make $11 something per hour and it would be spendy even with insurance. Since I have had everything else checked, I am almost 100% positive that it is neorotoxicity. That is where I am at right now.

- Brian, Rice, USA

i thank that the kid that take ritalin should have the riualin at home and at the nurses offace at school only.

- Patience Shockley, warsaw united states

If Ritalin is so good, then why doesn't everyone line up at the doctor's office and take it?? Since so many people advocate the use of it, then why don't you people try it?? Give me an answer to that one? Or, how about if something new comes out from the pharmacy you people be the first ones to try it?? You people take it and see how it makes you feel then tell me if it is safe.

- Brian, Rice, USA

When I stopped taking Ritalin at age 14, I had absolutely no sexual function problems. I took Ritalin again at age 21, it boosted my sex drive, and I was on it until age 24. One month after stopping ritalin at age 24, I met up with my girlfriend and we had sex but, I did not achieve a full erection, and from there on out, it has gotten worse. See, try to understand that at age 14, I stopped taking Ritalin, and had no sexual function issues. At age 24 stopping it, I had issues. I am about to turn 27 and do not wake up with a morning erection, I have almost no sex drive, and I want someone to tell me that it is all in my head. I see a naturopath to try to reverse the damage, take vitamins, omega 3's, exercise, eat fruits, vegetables, and have a good diet. Other people my age say that I should file suit against the makers of Ritalin. They tell me that they have no sexual function problems at the same age as me. I have had this conversation with other people my age or older, people with ADD who never took medicine, and even girls who all say that they do not have any of the same issues as me. I have talked to ex meth/crack/speed/ and adderall or ritalin users and some of them have sexual problems, and some don't. None of them, however, were on any of it as long as I was. Well, that is what I have to say. How can I make it any clearer?? Maybe I will sue them, or contact Kevin Trudeau or someone who can really help.

- Brian, Rice, USA

I know this for certain, the symptoms inherent to adhd patients also makes them profoundly unreliable when it comes to reporting data regarding symptoms. I have,more than once, changed treatments (for adhd) only to realize after the fact that I had already tried a particular medication and that it didn't work for me.

Th irregular brain activity seen in the prefrontal cortex of adhd patients is also seen in patients suffering from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Which suggests that someone suffering from adhd and unmedicated could experience symptoms of mood disorder. I have experienced this first hand.

Lastly, the consensus regarding long-term use of stimulants is, if anything, beneficial to someone who really has adhd. The reason why is that the stimulant forces the adhd brain to act more normal. Over time, the brain gets more "used" to behaving as it should.

With regards to finding yourself stuck, by going off your medication you are essentially drastically modifying your brain chemistry. You shouldn't be surprised to find yourself without the tools you need, namely a system of behaviors and habits that allow you to cope with the new reality you find yourself in.

Think of it this way, ask any two depressed people why they are unhappy. One could be depressed because of his genetics. The other could be depressed because his life actually sucks.

- Torin, arcata, ca

ok, whatever, people who are millionaires standing behind the drug companies and anyone involved making profit in that same realm are worried about one thing, making money. They do not care that people like myself have what seems like permanent problems after stopping ritalin. Look at Seroquel for bipolar people, it has been proven that the drug induces diabetes in a number of adults and children. Also, I have spoken with or read articles and patient reports from medical doctors, ex medical doctors, pharmacists, ex pharmacists, naturopaths, chiropractors, osteopaths, and anyone inbetween. They all admitted that when you put a chemical like amphetamines in your body for a long enough period of time, it can have adverse effects. I have personally met ex stimulant/ritalin/adderall/conceta/speed/coke...... users who have told me their symptoms are much the same as mine. I was on ritalin almost 12 years of my 26 years of life. The after effects are very real, true, and anyone can browse the internet to see that it is not fake, a hoax, or people just trying to tell a story. We are all just wanting to get back to normal. A normal mind set, a normal sex drive, no libido problems, no flat line emotion, the ability to cope and handle what the world throws our way, not feeling empty, alone, abandoned, and stuck. I know you other people are out there, start speaking up and do what you can to fix the damage.
My best hope and wishes for anyone in my position.

- Brian, Rice, USA

Hi

I am currently working in Norway to get alternatives to Ritaline approved. We are a group of people with different abilities (aka. disabilities), such as ADD, ADHD and asbergers. We all have great positive effects from Cannabis, and I believe that it will recover some basic functions for the following reasons:

Ritalin is an sympathetic drug, which means, it affects sympaticus, aka "fight of flight". This state removes blood from the stomach and the parts of the body that are not essential for a critical situation. Sex-drive and the ability to perform is much related to being in the state of para-sympaticus, "rest and digest". Cannabis creates more free dopamine, but in contrast to R., it is done while at the same time activating para-sympaticus.

It would be great to hear if it works!

- Ove, Tromsø, Norway

I am a 26 year old male. I was on ritalin from age 5 through age 14. I was put back on ritalin at age 22 and stayed on it until age 24. when I stopped taking it at age 14, I was functioning normal except for mood swings. When I stopped taking it at age 24, I was and now am still stuck with mood swings, flat line emotion, lack of motivation, and here is the one that pi$$es me off the most, NO LIBIDO AND VERY LOW SEX DRIVE!! THANKS RITALIN, I APPRECIATE IT A LOT!!
Does anyone know if there is some way to correct the damage Ritalin caused? I mean what is it? Are my dopamine receptors and nervous system fried or something?
Take care, Brian!

- Brian, Rice, USA

Firstly could you please cite the research and a link to it?
Secondly ADHD is a potent cause of both anxiety and depression.
Thirdly treatment of ADHD with medication removes this cause. No other treatment has been shown to come close.
Finally, while individual anecdotes of bad experiences with Ritalin are valuable, they can give a false idea of the whole picture. For instance was the patient properly diagnosed in the first place and then was he/she properly followed up.
Treatment of ADHD even with medications is not a "set and forget" affair. It requires careful monitoring,and attention to the harms to self esteem and leaning deficits caused by the ADHD. Rreview of medication - with change of medication is essential.

- Andrew, Melbourne, Australia.

In over 15 years of teaching I have worked with many tens of children who have taken or are taking Ritalin. In my opinion only ONE of these cases was severe enough to warrant the prescription.

- Jo, Essex. UK

I don't have a child diagnosed with ADHD but I do have 2 boys and as most parents will know, children have their own personalities and often go through phases or long periods where their behaviour is difficult. Parents, being human, cannot always deal with the difficulties well, it may be that their circumstances are part of the problem. Ups and downs are part of life, some children need a different approach to help them get through difficulties and parents need support and guidance. Parents and children need chances to develop better coping strategies, sometimes they just need a break and the child needs one to one attention from a caring person who can steer the child to positive thoughts and activities. Professionals have a role but as Aristotle suggested long ago, an over excited child needs plenty of physical exercise, plenty of fish and less meat. This would be a good starting point rather than Ritalin.

- Maria, London

When I was younger at age 9, I was prescribed ritalin, I don't know the dose I took at the time. I felt that it made me feel tired, robotic and in a type of deep daze daydreams. It did not help me in concentrating very much, I could not work out or understand maths subjects, or understand some stories from books, for a time I stopped taking them, other times I felt I should take them. I felt Isolated in classes falling behind and not getting good grades. I'm not sure how long I took them for but it was over a year. I had less friends than most, since I felt like there was something wrong with me. I didn't know why I was different, I could not understand why I felt down, at times and other times, my mood changed. Felt enticed to daydream when people were talking to me. I did not have a great attention span for long periods, or I had to read some sentences twice to understand it. At a time when I stopped taking ritalin, I would sometimes act in a hyperactive manner, found it a lot hard to concentrate with what I was doing. I felt I wanted to commit suicide when I was a teenager, without any skills to motivate me in learning new skills, suffered because I had a problem with being put behind from the rest of the class at college. So in turn left, with no skills and am finding it hard to find jobs now at 32 years of age. I suffer from bouts of depression and have been on antidepressants as I have changing moods, but don't always take them as I worry it will make me worse..

- Terance Murphy, Canterbury, Kent, UK

Pushing Ritalin on parents and their children is just like a drug dealer in the street coming up to you and offering to sell you cocaine. Only in this case, Ritalin, other psychoactive and non psychoactive drugs are legalized and pushed by big business, psychiatry and medicine, and are also used to dumb our children down.

- David Spangler, Birmingham, UK

I believe ADHD is a modern day hysteria! I am not saying the condition doesn't exist but it is certainly grossly over diagnosed, I think putting children (and especially very young children) on powerful amphetamines should only be done as a very very last resort whereas its now the first course of action.

The problem is that the symptoms of ADHD can be similar to others and have several other causes, a child may by living on a junk, additive ridden diet, have emotional issues, allergies, food intolerances, all that could affect a child's concentration and behaviour.

I work in childcare environment, we had one child whose only parent was a drug addict, he was then fostered by an aunt but removed from her because of neglect and placed with his father who was a virtual stranger .. surprise surprise! This 9 year old child had behavioural problems! Were his real needs looked at? No! He was diagnosed with ADHD and put on Ritalin. Sadly this situation is far from unique.

Some children are just naturally boisterous, get bored easily with poorly taught and unstimulating lessons, have a short concentration span or just plainly be misunderstood and mismanaged. The problem is once diagnosed, the child has a lifelong label, it gives the child the message that he is defective in some way, that his personality is unacceptable by subduing him/her with powerful drugs. It absolves both child and parent of any responsibility for the behaviour, because the child "cant help it",

- Paula Clark, Reading, Berks

I would like everything I could read on this. I have fought the school system to keep my kids off this drug and any other in the same category.

- Amy Cain, Baldwin, United States

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