ADHD Is a Real Disease

[pedinurse]

i'm pretty sure the dopamine thing has been pretty well known for a while now i think - or at least, it has been strongly suspected. at least, it is in all of my medical texts that i have bought in the past two years. but the gene thing is interesting. thanks for posting.

 

[Kim Ii]

I hear what you are saying, but I think you are allowing this Scientologist issue get in the way of truthful documentation. You cannot possibly diagnose a brain/chemical disorder, with nothing more than a pad of paper, a pen, and a few subjective questions! Ask any medical Professor and I am telling you, they will tell you the same thing.

Our son was 'diagnosed' in under 40 minutes by this medical fraud. I am so grateful to have found an organization like the Disability Rights Education Defense Fund, or I don't know where we'd be at the moment with our son's academic issues.

I don't care if Evelyn Pringle is purple with pink spots and dresses in a tutu -- she has clearly done her homework on this ADHD issue. I am a researcher by heart and by profession. I am a former Legal Assistant/Paralegal -- research is what I used to do for a living. I have FOIA documentation regarding all sorts of medical issues, starting with little known facts/documentation regarding vaccine safety issues, etc.

I was completely naive about most things medical, until we had our son. But I am a fast learner and I have tried diligently to not make the same mistakes twice, if I can help it.

One thing I am also learning, is to use my instincts/heart whenever I can. Too often, we are conditioned to NOT trust our God given instincts and therefore, will succumb to peer pressure (that goes for pressure by the medical establishment, etc.) when we know in our heart of hearts, that whatever it is we're being pressured into doing, is absolutely NOT right for ourselves and/or our children.

Our son suffered horrendous vaccine reactions as an infant and by the age of 4 months, he nearly lost his life to a whole cell pertussis DPT vaccine. We were fortunate in that we had a pediatrician who fully and readily acknowledged that our son had had a vaccine reaction. This reaction was duly noted in his medical file. After one more vaccine, at the age of 6 months, MINUS the pertussis component of the DPT vaccine, Ryan still reacted with complete somnolence (for over 2 days -- couldn't awaken him for feeding/changing, etc.)

So...after having gone through THAT scare, we then had to deal with the academic issues once Ryan started Kindergarten. Words can't even describe the nightmare we had with school issues -- school issues, I might add, we were also warned we would have, by the pediatrician we had in Denver.

I listened to an elementary school Principal tell me we had to put our son on Ritalin (this is illegal, by the way) and he guided me through the morass of kids and parents one day at school, to a young mother whose son was also so-called ADHD. The kid was a cute as a button, but when I approached this kid and his mom, the young boy was constantly chewing on his polo-shirt collar. Something clearly was wrong with him, but I knew NOTHING at that point. This mother was the one who told me about this particular psychiatrist in San Ramon and off we went, to our first appointment.

I've already outlined the rest of our story afterwards, in my above posts. I note that not one person has commented on the fraud which is perpetuated by so many psychiatrists in the labeling of these kids with brain disease, when absolutely none of these kids have been given thorough check-ups, lab work, MRI scans, zip, nadda, nothing.

And thank you very much, but I am NOT ADHD. I've already mentioned that this same psychiatrist claimed that I, too, had ADHD, simply by speaking to me briefly and looking at my elementary school report card!

Now, I ask you all -- does this truly make any sense to you? We can quibble about this Scientology stuff until the cows come home, or we can try to stay focused, keep off the defensive platform, and acknowledge that something doesn't seem right with this kind of a diagnosis when there is no way in La La Land these kids can be properly diagnosed with nothing but a pad of paper, a pen and a few questions.

I am NOT saying that ADHD doesn't exist! Quite the contrary -- I think IT DOES EXIST, but unless, and until, you have had your child/ren properly and thorougly diaganosed by a 'competent' diagnostician, then going with a diagnosis, which may be the incorrect diagnosis, and then putting your child on a Schedule II drug to boot, may cause you untold amount of hardship and unforeseen dire circumstances down the road.

Our son was improperly diagnosed as being ADHD. As Dr. Grandison explained to my husband and I, after Ryan's evaluation, we have a lovely, NORMAL son, who simply has learning difference/deficit issues. Period. NO ADHD. He isn't even on the spectrum.

Please don't harp on the Scientology issue with this. Just do your research and ask yourselves if perhaps you may need another evaluation for your child, especially if your child is taking any Schedule II drug. I might add that our son wasn't even given a physical examination prior to being prescribed this often dangerous drug. Now that I've read up on the possibility of side effects with this drug and others, I am very grateful I went with my gut instincts and pulled Ryan off this drug.

Because Ryan was 'coming down' off of Ritalin by the end of the school day and becoming irritable and cranky because of it, this psychiatrist wanted to then put him on another drug to counteract the Ritalin. OMG...Ryan had never been irritable and cranky like that before -- he's a very mild-mannered, well adjusted, down-to-earth kid. When I was told by this psychiatrist that we needed to put Ryan on yet another Schedule II drug, I told him he could take it where the sun doesn't shine. Haven't regretted that whatsoever.

Can you imagine? Our son was not actually ADHD at all and here, we could have had him on two, or God knows how many by now, Schedule II drugs.

All I am asking anyone on this board is to consider our own story and then compare notes. If your heart tells you something isn't right with whatever you've been told to do re: your child's issues, then GO WITH IT. Do more research, talk to more people, make more phone calls.

Some kids may need drug intervention -- many do not. But it's so important to have that ever important evaluation FIRST before you resort to using any type of Schedule II drug for your child.

 

[tennessee]

I hear what you are saying, but I think you are allowing this Scientologist issue get in the way of truthful documentation. You cannot possibly diagnose a brain/chemical disorder, with nothing more than a pad of paper, a pen, and a few subjective questions! Ask any medical Professor and I am telling you, they will tell you the same thing.

While I do not doubt that there are many doctors who are saying ADD/ADHD after a few minutes, nothing could be farther from the truth for my daughter or myself. Each of us had to go through months of evaluation involving weekly hour long appointments with psychologists and medical doctors before receiving the diagnosis. We have had to make many lifestyle adjustments to accommodate our ADD and to work with and around the disorder. My daughter is no longer on medication. She rarely even takes tylenol. I am on medication and it has changed my life for the better.

If this were any other medical disorder, people wouldn't be as quick to judge. However, since it involves the brain and everyday people can't see inside there, it must be fake. If they only knew the hell we have been through trying to get help. :furious:

 

[tennessee]

By the way, I have to visit my doctor once per month to make sure the medicine is not having any negative side effects, just as my daughter did. If I miss one appointment, I cannot get another prescription for the medication from my doctor. Why? Because people think that everyone who takes Adderall is a junkie.

 

[Boyzmomee]

http://health.msn.com/centers/adhd/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100167402&gt1=10316


"MONDAY, Aug. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a real disease linked to changes in production of the brain chemical dopamine, two new reports suggest.

In the first report, researchers found that a variant of the dopamine receptor gene may help cause the behavioral condition but also improve its long-term outcome.

"If you have a certain variant of this gene, you have a greatly increased risk of having ADHD," said lead researcher Dr. Philip Shaw, a researcher in the Child Psychiatry Branch at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health. However, "what we found that was surprising was that having this variant was also associated with having a better outcome from ADHD," he said."

Much more in this very interesting article.

I think it is a "condition" much more than a "disease." My son has it..so does his father, some cousins, and an uncle.

 

[Boyzmomee]

Some kids may need drug intervention -- many do not. But it's so important to have that ever important evaluation FIRST before you resort to using any type of Schedule II drug for your child.

I took my son to a pediatric neurologist. He spent an hour and a half with him...then he prescribed Adderall. He was right, the difference was night and day.

I am a psychiatric social worker and I recognized it as well.

 

[Kim Ii]

Boyz,

All I have stated is that there MAY be something else underlying your child's condition. In other words, NOT necessarily something PSYCHIATRIC. Do you understand? There are MANY UNDERLYING CONDITIONS which may be causing your child's inability to focus, or whatever, in school. UNLESS you rule those out, then you are using a very toxic drug, which may simply be a mask and covering up the true problems, causing your child's condition to begin with.

What we learned was that Ryan was not suffering from any sort of psychiactric disorder. He is (and was then, at the time of the ADHD diagnosis), emotionally sound. I am leery of psychiatrists 'evaluating and/or diagnosing' these poor kids, given our own track record. These kids need to be thoroughly evaluated by competent medical physicians and/or licensed neuro psych practitioners.

Just because your son suddenly calms down while on Adderall does not necessarily mean that something else isn't going on with him. Allergies, toxic levels of mercury/aluminum adjuvants, etc., may all be contributing factors to what may seem to you to be a psychiatric disorder.

Don't misunderstand me -- there ARE psychiatric disorders which must be treated medically. I am just not so sure that these young children should be included in this group.

He is obviously your son. You need to do what you feel is best for him. But I would be extremely wary of any psychiatrist who does nothing but label your child with a psychiactric diagnosis, UNLESS and until, you have had your child evaluated by a physician who may be able to figure out exactly what is going on with him. DAN! physicians are another source for evaluations and diagnostics re: kids on the autism spectrum. Personally, I wouldn't go near a psychiatrist with my child, but that's just me...

 

[Kim Ii]

Here is a link to a website which may interest some of you. Kelly O'Meara is yet another great medical Investigative Journalist.

Here is the link: http://www.ritalindeath.com/Doping-Kids.htm;

Here is a snip:

..."This complaint is not new and there is a lengthy list of government agencies connecting the prescribed psychotropic drugs to use of illegal substances."

". . . . Twenty-eight years ago the World Health Organization, or WHO, concluded that Ritalin was pharmacologically similar to cocaine in its pattern of abuse and cited Ritalin as a Schedule II drug -- the most addictive in medical usage. The Department of Justice followed the WHO by citing Ritalin in Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act as having a very high potential for abuse. As a Schedule II drug, Ritalin joins morphine, opium, cocaine and the heroin substitute methadone."

". . . . According to a report in the 1995 Archives of General Psychiatry, "Cocaine is one of the most reinforcing and addicting of the abused drugs and has pharmacological actions that are very similar to those of Ritalin." In the same year the DEA also made the Ritalin/cocaine connection, saying, "It is clear that Ritalin substitutes for cocaine and d-amphetamine in a number of behavioral paradigms," expressing concern that "one in every 30 Americans between 5 and 19 years old has a prescription for the drug."

". . . . Despite decades of warnings about the potential for abuse of Ritalin, experts continue to argue that the benefits far outweigh the consequences. Yet the INCB has reported that "Methylphenidate's [Ritalin] pharmacological effects are essentially the same as those of amphetamine and methamphetamine. The abuse of methylphenidate [Ritalin] can lead to tolerance and severe psychological dependence. Psychotic episodes [and] violent and bizarre behavior have been reported."

". . . . These are, in fact, some of the same symptoms exhibited by Eric Harris."

. . . . David Fassler, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and chairman of the APA group on Children, Adolescents and Their Families, says he is unaware of any research to suggest a correlation between the recent cases of violent behavior in school-age children and the widespread prescription of psychotropic drugs. Fassler argues that the number of school-age children suffering from mental illnesses such as depression is "more than earlier believed and it is important that there be a comprehensive evaluation by a mental-health clinician trained in this area." He stresses that "treatment should be multimodal -- not left to medications alone."

. . . . Mike Faenza, president and chief executive officer of the National Mental Health Association, the country's oldest and largest mental-health group, notes that "there is little known about how the drugs affect brain function." Faenza adds that "we do know that a hell of a lot of kids commit suicide because they aren't getting the help they need. It's irresponsible not to give them the help just because we don't know what causes the mental illness."

 

[Kim Ii]

Having trouble again with my links. I'll try again:

Here's the link to the above article: http://www.ritalindeath.com/Doping-Kids.htm

 

[Kim Ii]

Here is a link to a must read website. This is a book written by Kelly Patricia O'Meara, the Investigative Journalist I've mentioned above. I will post a link, then a snip, and a word or two re: Ms. O'Meara's background:

Link: http://psychedout.net/author.html;

Snip: Excerpt 2: Chapter Three: Chemical Imbalance: A Measure of Madness?

..."There always are people who want to believe in the “chemical imbalance” theory, regardless of the evidence or, in this case, the lack of evidence. In fact, the APA, governmental bodies, pharmaceutical companies and private mental health organizations have spent billions on advertising campaigns to educate and reassure those afflicted with the reported psychiatric mental illnesses that it isn’t their fault and that they shouldn’t be stigmatized."

"So for those skeptics that still believe that the “chemical imbalance” is more than a theory—indeed a hypothesis—there is one sure-fire way to know the truth on a very personal level: Ask your treating physician or psychiatrist for a paper copy of the results of the test that was conducted to measure your brain chemical levels. Something along the lines of: grossly, minimally, or just a smidge out of balance, providing the physician a template to determine the necessary dosage and, more importantly, the duration of treatment. And, one might assume, this test presumably would also be used at the completion of treatment to determine if the chemical “imbalance” had been sufficiently corrected or balanced."

"Researchers would be unable to locate a single psychiatric drug user capable of providing such results. It is fair to say that if objective, confirmable proof of a neurological “chemical imbalance” were required prior to filling a prescription for any of the psychiatric mind-altering antidepressants that reportedly “correct” the “chemical imbalance” in the brain, not a single prescription would be written because to date the only known method of determining chemical levels in the brain is during autopsy."

"Jonathan Leo, associate professor of anatomy at Western University of Health Sciences and author of Broken Brains or Flawed Studies? A Critical Review of ADHD Neuroimaging Research, hit the nail on the head about the legitimacy of “chemical imbalance” when he explained in his 2004 paper “The Biology of Mental Illness”: “If a psychiatrist says you have a shortage of a chemical, ask for a blood test and watch the psychiatrist’s reaction. The number of people who believe that scientists have proven that depressed people have low serotonin is a glorious testament to the power of marketing.”

"Pfizer is not the only pharmaceutical company to link the “chemical imbalance” theory to the cause of the alleged psychiatric mental illness for which a drug has been approved to treat. In fact, virtually all of the antidepressants reviewed by the FDA for “black box” warnings mention the chemical levels in the brain as possible causes of the alleged mental disorders. The following is a list of what some of the other pharmaceutical companies have to say about the chemical imbalance theory and key words to focus on that provide a glimpse into what really is known by the makers of psychiatric drugs about the alleged mental illnesses the drugs reportedly treat and how the particular drug works on the alleged psychiatric disorders."

"While the following explanations are heavy in medical/scientific jargon, what is clear is that none of the pharmaceutical companies know exactly how their drugs work on the reported psychiatric mental illnesses."

"Eli Lilly and Co., the makers of the first SSRI antidepressant, Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride): “Depression is not fully understood, but a growing amount of evidence supports the view that people with depression may have an imbalance of the brain’s neurotransmitters, the chemicals that allow nerve cells in the brain to communicate with each other. Many scientists believe that an imbalance in serotonin, one of these neurotransmitters, may be an important factor in the development and severity of depression. Prozac may help correct this imbalance by increasing the brain’s own supply of serotonin.” Furthermore, how Prozac works—its clinical pharmacology—is explained by the FDA this way: “The antidepressant, antiobsessive-compulsive, and antibulimic actions of Fluoxetine (Prozac) are presumed to be linked to its inhibition of CNS neuronal uptake of serotonin…” Key words: believe, may, presumed."

 

[Kim Ii]

A bit about Ms. O'Meara's background:

..."In her series, Local Government Corruption, O'Meara investigated corruption in county governments and the judiciary, specifically the County of Los Angeles court system. She was the first reporter to break the story of the Los Angeles judges' slush fund account and trigger an independent audit of that account, which has since been transferred to the county. She received the 1999 Friend of the Child Award from the California Protective Parents Association for her articles on the Los Angeles family courts."

"Prior to working as an investigative journalist, O'Meara spent sixteen years on Capitol Hill. In 1996, as Administrative Assistant for Congressman Michael P. Forbes (R., NY), she was the lead investigator for the 1996 TWA 800 air disaster off the coast of Long Island, New York. As a caseworker for Congressman Raymond J. McGrath (R., NY), whom she served from 1981 to 1992, she conducted a three-year investigation into the 1987 controversial death of a Marine Corporal, who was serving in San Salvador at the time. O'Meara also served on the staff of Congressman David A. Levy (R. NY) and Congressman Kika de la Garza (D. TX). She holds a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Maryland."

The rest of the article here: http://psychedout.net/author.html

 

[pedinurse]

Boyz,

All I have stated is that there MAY be something else underlying your child's condition. In other words, NOT necessarily something PSYCHIATRIC. Do you understand? There are MANY UNDERLYING CONDITIONS which may be causing your child's inability to focus, or whatever, in school. UNLESS you rule those out, then you are using a very toxic drug, which may simply be a mask and covering up the true problems, causing your child's condition to begin with.

What we learned was that Ryan was not suffering from any sort of psychiactric disorder. He is (and was then, at the time of the ADHD diagnosis), emotionally sound. I am leery of psychiatrists 'evaluating and/or diagnosing' these poor kids, given our own track record. These kids need to be thoroughly evaluated by competent medical physicians and/or licensed neuro psych practitioners.

Just because your son suddenly calms down while on Adderall does not necessarily mean that something else isn't going on with him. Allergies, toxic levels of mercury/aluminum adjuvants, etc., may all be contributing factors to what may seem to you to be a psychiatric disorder.

Don't misunderstand me -- there ARE psychiatric disorders which must be treated medically. I am just not so sure that these young children should be included in this group.

He is obviously your son. You need to do what you feel is best for him. But I would be extremely wary of any psychiatrist who does nothing but label your child with a psychiactric diagnosis, UNLESS and until, you have had your child evaluated by a physician who may be able to figure out exactly what is going on with him. DAN! physicians are another source for evaluations and diagnostics re: kids on the autism spectrum. Personally, I wouldn't go near a psychiatrist with my child, but that's just me...

That's your opinion. I can't believe that you are trying to push your beliefs on someone else on the internet. Oh well... I guess, aren't we all? Anyway, I have found that most psychiatrists (and other medical professionalsP) are highly trained, caring individuals who want nothing more than to do the best for their patients. That may or may not include prescribing medication. Believe me... NO ONE is going to put their license on the line by prescribing these drugs unless it is truely needed. Seriously.

 

[OneLostGrl]

Kim- the reasons I continue to "harp" on the Scientology issue is because everything you post is slamming not only ADHD but everything Psychiatric and the meds that go along with it. Now your going farther into the whole issue and are posting things about "chemical imbalances not being real" as Scientologists always do.

If you were simply sharing your story and letting others know what you went through and that misdiagnosis can be made and for others to be extra careful, that would be different but you are basically saying that these people are idiots if they believe what their shrinks are telling them about their children. That they have not done their own research before going to doctors and putting their kids on major mood altering medications.. that they are not good parents if they believe their children have a chemical imbalance because the articles you provide claim there are no "tests" that prove such a thing!

The links you have continued to provide are rude and insulting to the parents on this thread who have children who have (or who they themselves have) ADD/ADHD. Had you stopped at your own story, it would have been helpful and informative but this... this I am beginning to recognize. I have a hard time believing when you say you did research for a living yet you had no idea the links you provided had links to Scientology.

My brother is a Scientologist so I recognize them easily now.. simply by the way they speak of mental illness, Psychiatrists and Chemical imbalances. The people on this thread have a right to turn to one another for support, as I said before.. had you simply shared your story that would have been supportive but you have kinda gone beyond that, I hope you don't continue to attempt to invalidate what they are going through.

ETA: And your new little friend you link to and quote.... Kelly O’Meara. You didn't research her too well either! She writes FOR the Scientology newspaper! and was even given a International Human Rights Award by the CCHR!

http://www.freedommag.org/english/LA/issue07/page03.htm

 

[tennessee]

:furious:

I typed something out and just hit delete because I don't want to be banned. THANK GOD FOR THE IGNORE BUTTON BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY ARE SO EDUCATED SURE AREN'T.

 

[Boyzmomee]

Boyz,

All I have stated is that there MAY be something else underlying your child's condition. In other words, NOT necessarily something PSYCHIATRIC. Do you understand? There are MANY UNDERLYING CONDITIONS which may be causing your child's inability to focus, or whatever, in school. UNLESS you rule those out, then you are using a very toxic drug, which may simply be a mask and covering up the true problems, causing your child's condition to begin with.

What we learned was that Ryan was not suffering from any sort of psychiactric disorder. He is (and was then, at the time of the ADHD diagnosis), emotionally sound. I am leery of psychiatrists 'evaluating and/or diagnosing' these poor kids, given our own track record. These kids need to be thoroughly evaluated by competent medical physicians and/or licensed neuro psych practitioners.

Just because your son suddenly calms down while on Adderall does not necessarily mean that something else isn't going on with him. Allergies, toxic levels of mercury/aluminum adjuvants, etc., may all be contributing factors to what may seem to you to be a psychiatric disorder.

Don't misunderstand me -- there ARE psychiatric disorders which must be treated medically. I am just not so sure that these young children should be included in this group.

He is obviously your son. You need to do what you feel is best for him. But I would be extremely wary of any psychiatrist who does nothing but label your child with a psychiactric diagnosis, UNLESS and until, you have had your child evaluated by a physician who may be able to figure out exactly what is going on with him. DAN! physicians are another source for evaluations and diagnostics re: kids on the autism spectrum. Personally, I wouldn't go near a psychiatrist with my child, but that's just me...

There is nothing else wrong with him. You really need to read and comprehend.

I did NOT take my son to a "psychiatrist" who is a "PHYSICIAN" by the way. Psychiatrists have medical degrees as well as additional training.

I took my son to a PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGIST.... a physician as well.

Other conditions were ruled out prior to the referral to the pediatric neurologist.

That's how it is done. I have worked in a children's inpatient psychiatric unit and an outpatient clinic. Before starting psychotropic medication, physical causes for the symptoms/behaviors are ruled out.

ADHD has nothing to do with being "emotionally sound." Having ADHD does not make one emotionally disturbed.

I think you need to educate yourself beyond what you think happened to your son. You clearly aren't UNDERSTANDING my posts and your limited knowledge of the subject at hand is quite apparent.

 

[Amraann]

WHOA!!!!
This thread got hot!!

Boyzmomee, Kim, I am sure Kim meant no ill intent. I think as mothers of disabled children we all tend to sometimes get our hackles up in defense.

I agree that a pediatric psychiatrist is best. I took Richie to several Neurologist and they were of no help..
Truly the lines of medicine for many disorders are blurred and grayed.
Lets not take this out on each other.

 

[Boyzmomee]

WHOA!!!!
This thread got hot!!

Boyzmomee, Kim, I am sure Kim meant no ill intent. I think as mothers of disabled children we all tend to sometimes get our hackles up in defense.

I agree that a pediatric psychiatrist is best. I took Richie to several Neurologist and they were of no help..
Truly the lines of medicine for many disorders are blurred and grayed.
Lets not take this out on each other.

My son is not "disabled." He is in a regular education, plays baseball and hockey, and is training for his Bar Mitzvah.

He takes medication during the school week to help him focus and reduce his physical activity.

No one is taking anything out on each other. We are responding to what is posted.

We are having a discussion.

 

[pedinurse]

WHOA!!!!
This thread got hot!!

Boyzmomee, Kim, I am sure Kim meant no ill intent. I think as mothers of disabled children we all tend to sometimes get our hackles up in defense.

I agree that a pediatric psychiatrist is best. I took Richie to several Neurologist and they were of no help..
Truly the lines of medicine for many disorders are blurred and grayed.
Lets not take this out on each other.

disabled????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! people with adhd are DISABLED NOW???? that right there shows the cultural sterotypes towards this disease. most people with adhd are just intelligent, smart, capable as everyone else. they just have focus issues.

 

[OneLostGrl]

I don't think Amraann meant anything bad by the reference to disabled kids. I think she was just refering to the fact that our kids have "disorders", regardless of the diagnosis.. ADD, Autism, OCD, Epilepsy, Bipolar, Diabetes...

 

[czechmate7]

disabled????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! people with adhd are DISABLED NOW???? that right there shows the cultural sterotypes towards this disease. most people with adhd are just intelligent, smart, capable as everyone else. they just have focus issues.

I know people with CP who are just as intelligent and smart as anyone else but they still have a form of disability...I think that is how it was meant to be taken.