Tag Archives: Ritalin

The Over/Under on Medication

Posted on by

We’ve all heard the stories and read the statistics on how children today are being over medicated. Personally, I’m not sure which is sadder and more infuriating: a doctor willing to prescribe Ritalin to a toddler or a parent who is willing to give it to them. Thankfully, our child’s doctor would never do such a thing, and today was just another reminder why my wife and I love Lily’s pediatrician. We took Lily in for her eighteenth month check-up today. We informed the doctor that she had been a little congested and had felt a little feverish when she … Continue reading →

Ritalin may Help Prevent Falls

You may be familiar with Ritalin (methylphenidate) because of its use in treating hyperactivity… but a recent study took a look at other benefits the drug might have. The Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University held a study on the effects of Ritalin in older adults. Twenty-six healthy, independently living seniors participated in the study. Some were given a placebo; some were given Ritalin (or a generic equivalent). The seniors were given a fall screening test before and after the drugs were administered. The test required participants to: Rise from a sitting position Walk ten feet (approximately three … Continue reading →

Preschoolers and ADHD Research

ADHD is a common condition that is often identified when a child starts preschool for the first time. It is characterized by the inability of the child to pay attention or focus. Your preschool teacher may discuss the possibility of your child having the condition, but you should have any diagnosis done by a professional before you accept the possibility that your child has ADHD. ADHD is listed by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a serious public health problem that causes significant impairment in school performance and socialization, and for which there is limited effectiveness of … Continue reading →

Amphetamines: What Do They Do?

Originally used as a treatment for asthma and as a nasal decongestant, amphetamines were first manufactured as early as 1887. Because they suppress the appetite, amphetamines were often used to assist in weight loss. Amphetamines are still prescribes for certain forms of narcolepsy (a sleeping disorder where the person falls asleep unexpectedly) and for ADHD, Ritalin being one of the more famous amphetamines used for medical purposes today. Street amphetamines, by contrast, are made in homemade labs and hence are not manufactured under the strict guidelines of pharmaceutical-grade drugs. Hence the raw ingredient, often sources from drugstores as nasal decongestants … Continue reading →

Reasons I am Glad I Homeschool: Unnecessary Competition

I have been mulling over a local news story in my mind for the last few days. A young man (in high school) was interviewed about his use of Ritalin, having been diagnosed with ADHD. He explained how it helps him focus and that he cannot function academically without it. The student went on to explain how other students ask him to share his drugs with them. They called the story, “smart drugs”. So it turns out that a large number of students take these “smart drugs” (Ritalin and other ADD drugs) to help them focus on tests or to … Continue reading →

Hope with Ritalin

I was told early on that my son showed signs of ADD. Being one of those people who feel ADD is over diagnosed, I had a mental laundry list of all the other things that could be attributing to my son’s behavior. My son is a 5 year old high energy little boy. He is not what I consider to be hyperactive. Due to prenatal drug exposure and family medical history, there could be any number of neurological issues contributing to his behaviors. We have looked at Sensory Integration Dysfunction (DSI) because he appeared to be seeking sensory input by … Continue reading →

ADHD: To Medicate or not to Medicate–That is the Question

Not long ago I received written warnings about my two stepdaughters’ ADHD medication in the mail. It was sent to me by Rite Aid pharmacy, where I pick up their meds. I decided to investigate the issue further. In April of 2006, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that the FDA had voted to issue a “black box warning” for patients taking controlled substances as a treatment for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (The vote had a narrow margin of eight to seven.) What happened was that the FDA had decided to take a closer look at the potential cardiovascular … Continue reading →