I have to ask, why do so many parents place their kids on Ritalin?  I have a story (when do I not) to tell.  I went to help out my friend in California 10 years ago, with her three boys as it was a form of therapy for me (was going through a divorce).  The first thing I learned was that the eldest had been on Ritalin.  He was diagnosed with ADHD but you know what?  He wasn’t.  He was just bored.  I took them horseback riding, to the beach swimming, did crafts with them, took them to karate, played video games with them.  All he needed was to have some fun and a place to expel the energy.  I’m not saying enroll them in everything so they don’t have time for play, let them be kids.

I’m sure that many diagnosed are ADHD but before you automatically start using drugs, try a little common sense.  Do parents put their kids on drugs to sedate them???  A wee bit of “Steppford Wives” happening don’t you think?  Am I in left field with this or do other people think the way I do?

Okay my two-bits worth…

*  Sinikka

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I had a really hard time getting pregnant and I am pretty sure it was due to my mother putting me on Ritalin when I was a child….because I was “to hyper” and my Dr. even said that was a pretty good guess…I dont like the drug but thats just me

I completely agree. I beleive a large percentage of children prescribed Ritalin, dextroamphetamine, etc don’t need it. Many children consume WAY too much food, especially sugary or fatty foods. These foods provide a great amount of energy, and sitting in front of the tv or computer screen just isn’t good enough to burn all the excess. It manifests itself as hyperactivity, and then these kids are automatically labelled as having mental illesses.In fact they are just bored and understimulated.

I have personally known a few kids who do truely need these drugs. They are uncontrollable and suffer in school due to the inability to concentrate, until they take their medication, after which they are very much like “normal” children. Other children, however, take the medication and become worse. These drugs are equivalent to the recreatoial drug “speed”, and the effects to those without ADHD is identical, and very frightening if these kids are your loved ones (a brother in my case).

Unfortuately, many parents take their doctors’ advice without question, assuming that whatever they say is correct and appropriate, which is just not the case, which is why so many kids are put on these medications without really needing them.

As I read everyone’s post I feel like everyone only sees one side of it. I have been on Ritalin for a number of years now & notice a huge difference when I use it compared to when I don’t use it. Although it may seem to be used for overly hyper kids, its main purpose is to help kids focus their attention. I don’t have any problems with it and I use it to help me stay focused in school. When I don’t take it my mind tends to wonder & I cannot sit still. You can tell me something & five seconds later I will have forgotten what you have said. When I take my medicine I don’t have this issue. It is a good thing when used properly.

I was placed on Ritalin when I was a young kid because the teachers said that I was to unfocused and did everything as fast as I could. I had good grades before this drug and lots of energy, but after being placed on it my grades fell, I was not as responsive and I slept threw classes. I was on the drug from 12 years old till I was 14 years old when I quit taken it by my choice not my doctors or parents approval. After I guit taking the drug my grades came back up I was more sociable and my life improved. In that period I was taking the drug I don’t remember very much of it the drug made me fall asleep and sleep through school and life it is almost like there is a block of my life missing in that area. I disapprove of anyone that I hear giving there kids Ritalin as a ADHD medication I believe that this drug does more harm then it does good. I believe that this so called wonder drug by parents and doctors should be outlawed because it is not a ADHD treatment it is a seditive/neuro blocker thats harms young kids. Kids have energy give them something todo outside or as projects that will help them grow in life not give them a drug that knocks them down. Todays society is there is a drug for every problem from back aches to mental disorders. We as a society have grown weak and need these drugs to make our lives better or at least give us the feeling of it being better. Me personal I live a drug free life I don’t use asprin or any other medication to solve anything and I haven’t been sick for 8 years know have still gone to the doctor every year for yearly physical with no problems. I know some people will say that I must live a heathy life style which is false I do drink alcohol, I do use tobacco products, and I don’t eat heathy foods that often.

My oldest son truly had ADHD. Ritalin made a BIG improvement in how well he did in school, to a point. Around the 4th Grade it stopped working for him. And, it’s an upper, not a sedative.

That said, my 2 other sons did not respond to any drugs for their problems; Phobia & ODD. It turned out they are high functioning Autistic. And there is NO drugs to treat that, contrary to the Radio Hosts claiming otherwise.