[GummyIII]

fyi

[Experiment 6-2-6]

and more than half of them are being treated with drugs like Ritalin.

Can anyone answer as to why the FIRST time I read this, my brain saw:

and more than half of them are being treated LIKE DOGS WITH Ritalin.

[tbird5]

...and lack of discipline at home and school. For some reason they just can't say it.

[FReepaholic]

I gotta think that kids today are consuming way too much caffeine and sugar.

When I was a kid (in the '50s and '60s) we didn't have soda and candy or other sweets every day. Maybe on Saturday we were allowed to go to the store and buy one bottle of Coke and a piece of candy.

Never heard of ADHD back then.

[Roses0508]

I think all of these may be factors. My sister was 13 years behind me in having children. Both of us had sons for firstborns. Her son was diagnosed ADHD almost as soon as he started school and has been given various drugs to this date (he is in high school).

Both my son and my daughter were diagnosed hyperactive (whatever that means). No drugs for my kids, they got through school just fine. They did college and have good careers.

My nephew stays with me some in the summer when he is off meds (so he can GROW). He's an active kid, but not one whit more active than my two nor is his attention span less than what my son displayed at that stage in life (which depended a great deal on MOTIVATION).

As my son says, "if I were in school now they'd probably make you drug me."

My nephews have sugary cereal or pastries for breakfast along with soft drinks. They never drink just water - always soft drinks. Sandwiches are always processed meats and white bread. Meals are short on veggies and long on starches and sweets and meats. They drink cokes right up to bedtime. I don't know how they could possibly sleep well.

My kids ate only fresh or frozen vegetables (refined sugars, dyes and preservatives add to hyperactivity), little meat and most of that chicken, wheat and high fiber breads, NO soft drinks, NO sweets (except holidays, fresh fruits for deserts.

My sister won't hear it, so I don't go there anymore. Once and awhile I send her an article - she finds reasons why that does not apply to my nephew. Right now she is paying thousands of dollars to have him retested - guess what - he probably isn't ADHD after all.

[Chickensoup]

My daughter is ADHD impulsive type. No meds. She self regulates using her exeptional intellect. She never slept. Ever. 11 to 5...maybe.

Dr suggested putting her on melatonin 2mg. She sleeps 7 to 6 now and is more easily regulaged and pleasant.

Other ADHD inattentive type. No meds. Sleeps like a top. I recently started him on a little St Johnswort for his overfocused behavior.

[FreeKeys]

Serotonin, a neurotransmitter chemical produced in the brain, is considered essential for relaxation, concentration, sleep and calmness. Its lack or suppression can lead to severe mental disturbances and even violent behavior. To make serotonin the body requires sufficient levels of magnesium, tryptophan and vitamin B-6, nutrients which many nutritionists say American diets are severely deficient in, but which medical doctors rarely run tests for -- even when they prescribe RITALIN or other medications which depend on adequate serotonin levels (which is often!), and even when just taking supplements for those missing nutrients may be all that is needed.

BTW, Most American medical doctors have taken no more than 5 hours of nutrition classes in medical school IF ANY AT ALL, yet they are subjected to dozens and dozens of presentations by pharmaceutical company representatives on patent medications every year. So it should be no wonder why more and more people look elsewhere for advice on real nutrition.

There are about 200,000 deaths a year because of prescription (legal) drugs. This stat INCLUDES the homicides and suicides from "serotonin re-uptake inhibiters" and other so-called anti-depressives which depend on adequate serotonin levels.