The Drugs Don't Work.. (adhd)

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... well, in the long-term, anyway.

(not sure if this has been posted already but, here are some links from the BBC)

Drugs for ADHD 'not the answer'
Treating children who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with drugs is not effective in the long-term, research has shown.

A study obtained by the BBC's Panorama programme says drugs such as Ritalin and Concerta work no better than therapy after three years of treatment.

The findings by an influential US study also suggested long-term use of the drugs could stunt children's growth.

It said that the benefits of drugs had previously been exaggerated.......

More of this BBC news article - click here
To watch the Panorama documentary
If you get UK TV, ie. BBC 1 ... the programme comes on tonight at 8.30pm
You can also watch it online (most probably some time after 8.30pm tonight, GMT) - click here

I agree too -- and my son has been on Ritalin (or something like it) for three years . . .

My feeling is that they can be helpful during the years where the children are kind of immature, and in the process of learning routines and how to do things at school. I always tell my son that the meds help, but eventually we will take him off of the meds and he will do just fine. He has a tendency to rely on the meds, thinking that they make him pay attention more. Currently, he's on Strattera, and I think it does less for him academically, and more for his social abilities. Whatever it does academically is very slight, and I'm very interested in taking him off during the summer just to see if there's much difference.

Kris

It's strange--- when I was a kid, they called it "hyperactivity" or "ants in the pants" syndrome. And my mom, who did not believe in the drugging of kids, had her own medicine for me--- Ass whupping. I got many of these growing up, until my mom got creative and sprinkled other forms of punishment in as well ( like getting grounded). It was hard to stay on task as a kid--- but my mom was always ready for battle, like the Minutemen of the Revolutionary War. Her hand probably had calluses on it from all the "medicine" she gave me. I learned ( eventually) to concentrate better or at least act like I was... and that was how Attention Deficits were treated back in the day. I think i've done well for myself--- it could possibly be due to the lingering thoughts that my mom could STILL whup my ass, though. Her "medicine" has no expiration date and no dosage limits.

I've always wanted to try it, I hoped it would finally give me energy and focus. But alas its probably ineffective.

skahthic, I absolutely love your story!

Your mother sounds awesome! And you sound as if you are no worse for wear . . .

Kris

I'm on ritalin, winds me up and makes me feel like a crackhead.