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Medical
- Current Events
Title: Talking Back to Ritalin Author: Peter R. Breggin MD Rating:  Excellent!
Publisher: Common Courage Press Web Page: http://www.commoncouragepress.com Reviewed by: Paul Lappen |
 
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Several million children in America are being treated with Ritalin and other stimulants because they have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD, the symptoms of which include hyperactivity or inattention. Such drugs simply correct a chemical imbalance in the brain. Sounds safe and reasonable for children, right? Very, very wrong, according to Breggin. There is no solid evidence that ADD is a genuine disease or disorder of any kind. A large percentage of children on stimulants become robotic, depressed or withdrawn. Ritalin is addictive and is a common drug of abuse among children and adults. Short and long term, Ritalin has no positive effects on a child's psychology, or on any other aspect of their lives. Ritalin can cause permanent neurological tics like Tourette's Syndrome. There is a lot of scientific confirmation that ADD-like symptoms are caused by environmental problems. If Ritalin is so harmful, why is it prescribed so often? Parents who are afraid that their children are less than perfect listen too readily to doctors and psychiatrists who may or may not know any better. They also listen to teachers and school administrators who seem to think that Students=Robots. Of course, there are also the drug companies who seem to put profit first, and federal agencies who are more interested in easing the way for the drug companies than in doing any real regulating. For any parent whose has been diagnosed with ADD, or seems a candidate for such a diagnosis, this book is a more-than-must-read. Go Back read another review, or choose a different category. | ||||