Pubdate: Thu, 11 Oct 2001
Source: WorldNetDaily (US Web)
Website: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/
Address: PO Box 409, Cave Junction, OR 97523-0409
Contact:  2001 WorldNetDaily.com, Inc.
Fax: (541) 597-1700
Author: Mary Ann Block

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.
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