Wow. It might be wise to talk to the parents to make sure they are giving the correct dosage. I take Adderall recreationally at school to help me stay focused, and I only ever get “zombie” symptoms if I take a frigging bunch, at least 50mg. Most of the children’s pills are 5, 10, possibly 20mg. Correct doses should not be causing those symptoms.
Maybe so, but drugs are not the only treatment available, there are other methods that do work for some children. Anti-depressants are also becoming more commonly prescribed for ADD/ADHD, with quite a bit of success, as it is surmised that Seratonin, the chemical for which imbalance of, is most commonly the cause of clinical depression, is also the primary cause of ADD/ADHD.
Either way, even if that is essentially what they are saying, it’s far better, and still within their league, to make that suggestion, rather than flat out suggest medication. A teacher is not a doctor, and they have absolutely no right or credentials for which to make such a statement.
~V
Yep. My son blew through Ritalin in about three years, moving on to the really heavy stuff about the time that the dosage used for high school football players would no longer even phase him (age 8). All Ritalin (or its successor) does is reduce his “buzz,” allowing him to control himself. I have seen him “withdraw” psychologically on an occasion, but it could always be traced to a personal reaction to an event, not to a drug response.
The same effects have been reported by every parent I know whose children are using Ritalin. With no meds, the children are constantly unable to control themselves, frequently giving up activities that they have chosen because they cannot concentrate long enough to accomplish a task.
The only two reasons that I (as one who is not in either the medical or psychological fields) could speculate is that if the kids are constantly zombie-like, then if the kids truly are ADD/ADHD, they are seriously over-medicated or something else is going on with their diet or sleep or something.
If the kids are not ADD/ADHD and they are receiving Ritalin, they should be bouncing off the walls.
One in five taking Ritalin? I am truly appalled. Everyone knows that, as far as effectiveness goes, Ritalin pales in comparison to the amphetamines. Sheesh!
No. By suggesting that the child be tested for signs of ADHD, she is suggesting that the child be tested for signs of ADHD. If I had a sore throat and someone suggested I should have a doctor check me for strep, that person is not suggesting I go obtain antibiotics; he is recommending that I get a diagnosis from an expert. That’s all.
RR
Wow, very interesting posts.
My sister is a PharmD as, as it happens, works in Marketing for Novartis. Her drug? You guessed it - Ritalin.
She got very upset when a teacher suggested that my cousin (who is around 11) be placed on Ritalin. She was furious because that teacher had no medical or pharmaceutical background at all - and quite frankly, I fully agree. Now, if a teacher suggests testing for ADD, that’s different - but to outright suggest a drug? Give me a fucking break.
She also feels like some teachers suggest Ritalin because they perceive difficult kids as problem kids and they are a little lazy about being patient with them. By NO means does this mean that ALL teachers who suggest Ritalin (though, how arrogant of them…) or testing are lazy and don’t want to deal with kids - but she believes that is a distinct possibility.
On the other hand, when I saw her last weekend, we were talking about Ritalin because I was relaying a South Park episode to her where that was the topic of choice. She said that it is a real shame that Ritalin has that image with some people because it has been a fantastic drug for Sooooo many kids.
The way I see it, there are two extreme camps.
On one hand, you have the people who are allllll too eager to suggest Ritalin as a quick fix for any problematic kid with a short attention span.
Then on the other hand, you have people who think it’s nothing but a dope up drug and how HORRIBLE to give it to kids.
When really, it’s a great drug for select individuals that got a ton of attention and was then prescribed by doctors to perhaps less intense cases and then its popularity soared, along with criticism.
People are getting ideas about Ritalin somewhere and it isn’t direct to consumer advertising - it’s teachers, other parents and doctors. Some of it is over the top but it really does wonders for a select group of kids.
Tibs.