Alarm as prescriptions of Ritalin to children reach a record high

The Telegraph, Information Liberation ^

[Love_For_Freedom]

The number of children being prescribed drugs for so-called behavioural disorders has soared to a record high, causing alarm that children are being unnecessarily "drugged into submission".

Prescriptions of Methylphenidate - most commonly sold as Ritalin - rose to 359,100 last year, a rise of 344,400 since 1995. Figures from the Prescriptions Pricing Authority reveal that there has been a 180-fold increase in prescriptions since 1991 when only 2,000 were issued in England.

The growing use of Ritalin - an amphetamine-based stimulant which improves concentration and is nicknamed the "chemical cosh" because of its calming effects - has alarmed critics. It is almost entirely prescribed to children under 16 in this country. Controversially, it has been estimated that one in 20 children suffers behavioural disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, for which Ritalin is prescribed.

But critics of the drug say that doctors give it to children who are merely displaying normal emotional changes experienced during childhood. Campaigners believe that the increasing use of Ritalin follows the trend in America where it has been prescribed to children as young as 15 months.

Last night, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, an organisation that campaigns against psychiatric violations of human rights, condemned the increasing prescription of drugs for children. "Too many psychiatrists are being irresponsible in prescribing mood-altering drugs which are pharmacologically similar to cocaine, and then claiming they have 'cured' children of their 'condition'," said a spokesman.

"Some children may be a little boisterous but psychiatry's fixation on labelling such difficulties and prescribing medication is nothing more than pseudo science. Children are being drugged into submission."

(more)

[Calpernia]

>>>Is is just MY experience, but are most of the boys who are prescribed Ritalin from Fatherless homes?

No. My husband is a psychiatrist. There is a scary increase of schools insisting on the script to continue attendance.

[Calpernia]

Wrong.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1487108/posts?page=121#121

[Calpernia]

bump

[Calpernia]

And once a boy is put on Ritalin, they HAVE to continue the scripting until puberty is complete. It does something to a boy's growth if not taken consistently until puberty is over.

I would have to ask my husband the details in order to reiterate it better.

[Calpernia]

bump

[Calpernia]

>>>So, you're discarding all research by anyone who gets any money from a drug company?


Yup.

[Calpernia]

>>>>And if getting money from a drug company tainted research and information-sharing then any group who does research would be discounted.

That is right.

I worked for a research marketing company for years, before children. My job was to provide results that the company wanted and to forumlate the results to their specifications.

Market research is no longer data. It is propaganda.

[Calpernia]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1487108/posts?page=64#64

[Calpernia]

>>>>I know I would love to not "eat because I'm bored", not get "sick lately", not be "anxious or moody", be "more organized", and have "more energy". These things could apply to anyone.

"Hello Friends, I'm your Vitameatavegemin girl.

Are you tired, run down, listless?
Do you poop out at parties?
Are you unpopular?
The answer to all your problems is in this little bottle, Vitameatavegemin. Vitameatavegemin contains vitamins, meat, vegetables and minerals.
Yes, with Vitameatavegemin you can spoon your way to health. All you do is take a spoonful after every meal.
It's so tasty too. It's just like candy.
So why don't you join the thousands of happy peppy people and get a great big bottle of Vitameatavegemin tomorrow. That's Vita-Meata-Vegemin."

[Calpernia]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1487108/posts?page=129#129

LOL!

[Labyrinthos]

"It Takes a Pharmacist"

[tutstar]

ping

[Marie]

Your's is the best post that I've read on this subject in years. Everything you said is 100% correct and I thank you for saying it so well.

I'm a mother who was an only child raised by a single mother who's from a family of 5 girls (all man-bashers). When I had my son, I had some serious learning to do and MANY misconceptions to work though. I homeschool the kid and frequently send him outside to run a few laps around the house or do some stretching exercises. It does wonders to help him focus and he's actually a happier person after a bit of fresh air.

A few years ago I read an article online (sorry, lost the link long ago) that prepubescent male physiology was dramatically different from girls'. As a preparation for a growth spurt that occurs sometime in the 14-17 age range (where the average male puts on 40-60 pounds of muscle in one year's time) they need to put on more bone density. From the ages of 7-12, they feel a constant need to "stretch". This urge to stretch is almost constant and urges them to become more physically active. The running and jumping increases the bone density and by the time they're in their mid-teens, they're more than ready to bulk-up. Forcing males to sit still during this period for 7-9 hours a day is almost painful. He went on to say that the urge was stronger in some males than others.

It's like Restless Leg Syndrome, but it's *supposed* to happen.

[Marie]

My kids have learned to sit still when bored but I'll tell you, I am sometimes awed by their self-control when I'm with them and I'm so bored that I could scream. It's all I can do to control myself, too. I can understand why kids do not have the self-control to endure this day after stinkin' day for 9 months.

Hear, hear!! I absolutely *hated* school when I was a kid and 90% of the time all I was focused on was getting through the crushing boredom. I did get all my school work done in class most of the time just to make things go faster. I hated nothing more than a teacher that insisted I put my pencil down and pay attention.

[Polyxene]

Just an observation from a child of the 50's -- maybe our parents and teachers were blissfully ignorant and stupid about "child psychology" back then, but we sure didn't have all of the problem children we have now. Boys were boys and girls were girls. If someone crossed the line, he or she got a swat across the bottom. And for many, as it was in my house, if you got a swat at school, you got it again when you got home. Maybe the fact that we had recess in the morning, recess at lunchtime and recess in the afternoon helped break up the day and let us blow off steam. Even the teachers were out on the playground with us, pushing us on the swings, catching us as we went down the slide, hoisting us onto the monkey bars, and some even played ball with us. Heaven forbid that a teacher would do that now. Do they even have recess anymore or are schools afraid of lawsuits due to a kid falling down or hurting himself? We never had all of the food allergies, either. PB&J was standard fare at my school and anything but milk for a beverage was . I just don't understand how all of these behavioral problems and allergies have materialized in just a couple of decades. Makes me wonder.

[NormB]

I agree totally.

What I can't understand is people like Dr. Dobson coming out in favor of these drugs.
I don't know of any kids I have seen take these drugs and go on the lead a better life.

Just making a generation of people who are guaranteed to need anti-depressant drugs in the future.

[Zechariah_8_13]

When i recognized this with my youngest son i kept him out of school for two years longer and took him in the kayak with me several days a week and taught him some of our native language (cherokee). At the end of two years he was ready to go into a class room and learn. Whenever he or my other sons lose the ability to sit still i give them some physical exercise and they are right back on tract.

I do not think that the basic teacher of these boys is agenda driven, just ignorant. Most teachers (especially females) were taught that boys were to be kept down so that girls can get caught up. They were taught that the nature of a boy, adventerousness, active, and full of excitement, was bad and had to be limited. This created and has continue to create a society in which boys are more and more becoming nothing other than the worker class.

Excellent analysis. And you sound like an awesome father. Keep up the good work!

Imagine your legacy as your sons become good fathers themselves, and their sons after them. The choices we make now have lasting impact.

[Coleus]

Health Experts Warn of Antidepressant Dangers for Children, Teens

 

FISHOILS;

[Coleus]

that were prescribed Ritalin as young children, often become methanphetamine users in college. >>

Ritalin is like cocaine, an amphetamine or upper, and I think a Schedule V drug. Both are very addictive. It seems that many doctors think once one turns 18, the patients are magically cured of their ADD and take them off the prescription Ritalin.

[msnimje]

Just making a generation of people who are guaranteed to need anti-depressant drugs in the future.

Not to mention the possible damage to the heart.
Here in Georgia there have been a couple of FATAL heart attacks in TEENS who where put on Ritalin when very young.
It seems if they are on it constantly for 10 years it damages their heart.