ANOTHER DOCTOR HANDING-OUT DRUGS

The American Academy of Pediatrics is now on record for recommending drugs
for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This is nothing new.
It has obviously been the common practice for years or else there would not
be five million children in the United States taking psychiatric drugs.
This rubber stamp of approval from the American Academy of Pediatrics may
shoot those numbers even higher. While this should make the drug companies
happy, I don't think it is a very safe or effective way to help our
children. Here are some compelling facts which support my position on this
controversial subject.

ADHD is a psychiatric diagnosis with no valid test to prove it exists.

ADHD was voted into existence by a show of hands.

Side-effects of the drugs used for ADHD include psychosis, paranoia,
aggression, heart attack, cardiac arrhythmias and high blood pressure.

Ritalin has the same dependency profile as cocaine.

Ritalin treatment predisposes takers to cocaine's reinforcing effects.

The United States uses 90 percent of the world's Ritalin supply.

There are underlying health and learning issues which can cause attention
and behavior problems.

Adhd Is A Subjective Label

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is officially a psychiatric
label. In 1987, ADHD was literally voted into existence by the American
Psychiatric Association and inserted into the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Psychiatrists write the book and decide
what behaviors or groups of behaviors are psychiatric disorders.

Within one year of deciding to insert ADHD in the DSM, 500,000 children in
the United States were diagnosed with the disorder. A common denominator of
these psychiatric disorders is that there is no objective way to define or
to diagnose them. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor can
objectively measure and diagnose the problem. If you have diabetes, your
doctor can objectively measure your blood sugar and give you a diagnosis.
There is no way to measure for a psychiatric diagnosis. It is this
subjective standard that the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending
for pediatricians to use when deciding to give a child a mind-altering drug
which carries many serious risks.

Drug Risks

In addition to the most commonly prescribed drug, Ritalin, other drugs used
for ADHD symptoms include Adderall, Dexedrine and Metadate (long-acting
Ritalin), which are amphetamines or "speed" type drugs. Amphetamines are
classified as controlled substances because they have a high likelihood of
abuse. Ritalin is similar to cocaine, affects the same receptor sites in
the brain and triggers the same effect on the body when taken in the same
manner. In medical research, Ritalin and cocaine are used interchangeably.
Ritalin is being sold and used by teenagers and college students as a
street drug.

Adderall and Dexadrine are straight amphetamines. Another drug prescribed
for children is Clonidine or Catapres, which is an adult high blood
pressure medication. This "adult" drug has never been tested on children
under the age of 18 and is not indicated for use for anyone under age 18.

The SSRI drugs, including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox and others are also
used on children. These drugs list as possible side-effects heart problems,
paranoia, suicide and aggressive behaviors. I have seen many patients who
were prescribed these drugs by other doctors who have become extremely
aggressive and suicidal while taking them.

There are many other side effects to the drugs prescribed for ADHD
symptoms. I recommend to all my patients that they get a drug insert from
the pharmacist or purchase a Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) for
themselves. If the side effects sound worse than the problem, they might
not choose to take the drug. The reason the PDR lists side effects is
because they can and do occur. Everyone should decide individually if the
benefit of taking the drug is worth the risk of the potential side effect.

Causes Of Attention And Behavior Problems

Every child deserves a complete medical work-up by a physician who
understands that allergies, blood-sugar problems, learning problems, diet
and nutrition can affect how a child feels, thinks and acts. When a child
has attention and behavior problems, it is not ADHD. These children don't
have psychiatric problems. They often have medical conditions or academic
problems interfering with their attention and behavior.

In my practice, I see thousands of children from all over the world who
have been damaged both physically and psychologically by the ADHD label and
the drugs prescribed to them. Prior to seeing me, most of these children
have never had a medical exam to rule out any health problems causing the
symptoms. In fact, countless children have suffered frightening
side-effects to the drugs before seeing me. After a comprehensive history
and medical exam, I have uncovered a variety of underlying health problems
in my patients that are overlooked by other doctors. I have seen time and
time again how the attention and behavior problems resolve after treating
the identified health issues.

Drugs and behavior modification have no place in the treatment of these
children, and doctors who use them are not taking the time to do the
appropriate medical and educational work-ups. So if the American Academy of
Pediatrics thinks we should be drugging these children, then ADHD might as
well stand for Another Doctor Handing-out Drugs. Our children deserve better.

Dr. Mary Ann Block is an international expert and author on the treatment
of ADHD without drugs. She has served as a peer reviewer for the Agency for
Health-care Policy and Research and the American Academy of Pediatrics for
the diagnosis and treatment of ear problems. Additionally, Dr. Block has
been a guest on The Montel Williams Show and interviewed on CNN News, NBC's
Home Page, Fox Network News, Extra, TBN, and The Today Show in New York as
well as such magazines as Better Homes and Gardens and radio and newspapers
across the country. She is scheduled to be a guest on this week's edition
of CBS' "48 Hours" television program.