ADHD Drugs Don't Help Children Long Term

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"YOU WEAK PARENTS NEED TO SMACK YOUR KID WHEN HE IS OUT OF CONTROL THATS HOW DOGS LEARN."
Yeah--that's sound advice. I'd bet you five bucks you don't have an ADHD kid. My son is disciplined, he is polite and an all-around good kid. But his inability to focus, transition well, and impulsivity have almost cost him his life on several occasions for the latter reason and to have downward-spiraling self-esteem for the first two reasons. It's not a matter of beating him into submission--THEY CAN'T HELP IT. Some kids yes, they need consistency from their parents, a good diet and exercise--guess what? My son gets all of those things, and he STILL CANNOT FOCUS IN CLASS. You have colossol nerve even suggesting that beating a child will make ADHD go away. How dare you.

Gerry of NY 1:46PM March 11, 2010

I agree with the woman who wrote this a year ago. I have many friends who not only do not have an ADHD child, they don't have children at all, yet they are ready to spew advice and horror over the fact that I am considering putting my 11-year old on meds. I have watched my bright, happy little boy struggle for years, hoping that someday he would just "grow out of it." He has average grades, sometimes below, sometimes above, but he consistently does not finish his school work and is a major distraction for his classmates. For this he has been continuously scolded for the better part of the past three years. When he was three years old, he ran away from another parent who was supposed to be watching him, crossing a busy intersection because he saw me on the other side of the street. Another time he took his sled while waiting for me in the hallway outside our apartment where I asked him to wait for me while I put on my coat, and when I opened the door, he smiled at me and took off down the 20-stair flight, head first into the door at the bottom. Both incidents took years off my life. His self-esteem has plummeted to where my happy, bright little boy is now fed up with Fifth grade and hanging with the losers and under-achievers in his class. So yeah, you might say I'm at the end of my rope. I was told by no less than a pediatric neurologist, his behavioral therapist (who helps but admits he needs medical intervention) and a psychiatrist that unless we get his little brain waves straight now, when he hits middle school his disorganization and distractedness will cause him to be left behind. I am getting ready to try the meds. Wish me luck. To those know-it-alls with lots of advice but very little experience (and what about the woman who said he may be "possessed") take a walk in my shoes and then you may re-think your unsolicited advice.

Gerry of NY 1:39PM March 11, 2010

I dont like when doctors claim to have a solution to solve behavioral problems with children with the "disease" A.D.H.D when in fact they truly don't understand what it's like to live with the gift of adhd thats right i said gift, i have adhd i am 18 an amazing athlete good friend and good in school. The best way to understand adhd is to either have it or to truly get to know someone who has it. adhd is not a disease some of the greatest minds in science and invention have had adhd for example Albert eistein look what he did for the worl so i dont appreciate when people tell me i have a disease or a problem. I especially dont like when i get dirty looks from people who hear i have adha it's not my fault god made me this way. I accept the person i am and i want to help those who need it.

James Tabor of FL 10:40AM December 15, 2009

MENTAL ILLNESS IS FRAUD ITS NOT PROVABLE THROUGH SCIENCE IN ANY WAY THERE ARE NO BRAIN SCANS OR BLOOD TESTS T5O PROVE ANY MENTAL ILLNESS IS REAL .I LIVED THERE SYSTEM 6 THOUSAND PILLS AND 10 YEARS LATER I NOW KNOW I WAS A SLAVE TO THESE COLLAGE PROFESSIONALS STUDIED THERE WHO LIFE TO BE THE DEALER FOR THE DRUG COMPANIES. LETS SAY I'M WRONG WHAT SHOULD I THINK ABOUT THIS
1. Miles White - Abbott - $33.4M
2. Fred Hassan - Schering-Plough - $30.1M
3. Bill Weldon - Johnson & Johnson - $25.1M
4. Bob Essner - Wyeth - $24.1M
5. Robert Parkinson - Baxter - $17.6M
6. Daniel Vasella - Novartis - $15.5M
7. Richard Clark - Merck - $14.5M
8. Frank Baldino - Cephalon - $13.5M
9. Sidney Taurel - Eli Lilly - $13M
10. Jeff Kindler - Pfizer - $12.6M
11. Jim Cornelius - Bristol-Myers Squibb - $11.3
12. Franz Humer - Roche - $11.1M
13. Robert Coury - Mylan - $8.5M
14. Jean-Pierre Garnier - GlaxoSmithKline - $6M
15. Werner Wenning - Bayer - $4.77M
16. David Brennan - AstraZeneca - $4.3M
17. Gerard Le Fur - Sanofi-Aventis - $3.27M
THE CEO PAY AKA DRUG DEALER KING PIN
FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS KIDS DID JUST FINE WITH PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE
YOU WEAK PARENTS NEED TO SMACK YOUR KID WHEN HE IS OUT OF CONTROL THATS HOW DOGS LEARN.
DON'T KILL YOUR KIDS FUTURE BECAUSE THE WANT THEIR MILLIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chris of UT 3:00PM November 21, 2009

Ms. Davenport-
Your spectacle analogy is one of the more asinine comments about ADHD I have ever read. Do spectacles contain methylphenidate? You need some type reality medication, and possibly a stint in detention for pushing lethal drugs in a "No drug school zone."

Skillsnotpills of CO 8:45PM September 10, 2009

Yes, it is a child's best interest to ingest Schedule II stimilant narcotics. Do not even bother to research the long term ramifications of such usage.
Nobody can take these drugs forever. Other methods of management must be implemeted.
Funny how gina Pera mentions ego, since her grandiose bombast plagues cyberspace forums. This coming from someone who does not KNOW what it is like living with ADHD. Quite pathetic. Her ruse is slowly coming to an end.

Skillsnotpills of CO 8:40PM September 10, 2009

that the media is manipulated by pro medication zealots who do not have any scientific evidence to promote their criminal drugging of children. Shame on you!!!

Richard Berger of MD 4:51PM August 24, 2009

I REALLY HAD A GUT FEELING ABOUT THE USE OF RITALIN. IT DID SEEM TO WORK AT THE TIME, BUT OVER THE LONG TERM IT SEEMED TO MAKE MY SON MORE IRRITABLE. THAT AND THE FACT THAT IT STUNTS GROWTH MADE ME THINK THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR MY SON IF HE JUST DIDN'T WITHOUT THIS DRUG.
SOMETIMES PSYCHIATRISTS ARE ALL TOO QUICK TO PRESCRIBE RITALEN WITHOUT GOOD BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS.

Catherine A. McEntee of NY 1:14PM August 24, 2009

Take away all preservatives, food colorings and artificial food additives from your child's diet. See dramatic results. Scientific studies done in European countries positively made the connection between food and ADD, ADHD. Now most of the chemicals that are positively associated with this disorder are BANNED in the E. U. Why doesn't the US do this? $$$$$! The Pharmaceutical and medical industries are raking in huge profits from the suffering of children and adults who choose the magic pill instead of altering their lifestyles. Choose carefully.

Janell Bennett of WI 4:40PM July 18, 2009

Lots of great information and comments so far on this topic. Do we know the 10, 20, and beyond benefits or side effects yet?
I understand that it is a quick fix but everyone is looking for data. I think that if we are able to use other applications like the behavior therapy, neurologically based therapies, and brain type activities to appropriately stimulate the mind...would in the long term be better for the children.
Thanks for your insight.

Larry of CA 3:46PM July 16, 2009