ADHD/ADD children / Methylphenidate
In comparison to children in US, UK, Australia, SA, etc. what is the situation here as far as prescribing the medication to them? Is it as wide spread here in Qatar, and other neighbouring countries? What are your feelings on this drug, and how much do you know about alternative treatment? (e.g. fish oil, etc.)? I am not going to be referring to any product name due to the sensitivity of this subject.
I attach a portion of an article from a website as an appetiser...
"Methylphenidate is a medication prescribed for individuals (usually children) who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which consists of a persistent pattern of abnormally high levels of activity, impulsivity, and/or inattention that is more frequently displayed and more severe than is typically observed in individuals with comparable levels of development. The pattern of behavior usually arises between the ages of 3 and 5, and is diagnosed during the elementary school years due to the child’s excessive locomotor activity, poor attention, and/or impulsive behavior. Most symptoms improve during adolescence or adulthood, but the disorder can persist or present in adults. It has been estimated that 3–7 percent of school-age children have ADHD. Methylphenidate also is occasionally prescribed for treating narcolepsy...."
There has been quite a lot on the Internet over the last few years about ADHD and whether or not medication, usually a drug called Ritalin, is the best form of treatment. It seems to me that there is real controversy over the issue of whether or not ADHD actually exists. Some doctors now think that Ritalin can cause brain shrinkage, while others think that the "symptoms" associated with ADHD may in fact be caused by the medication itself. As some of the drug companies that make Ritalin are actually involved in ADHD "research", one wonders if we will ever find the truth.
Is it really possible that many (if not all) of the forms of behaviour associated with ADHD have other causes? Perhaps I should mention at this point I am not a doctor, nor do I have any kind of medical training, but I have been a teacher for more than twenty years, so I have had plenty of opportunities to meet many different children and to see them in different contexts. My guess is that most parents would probably be wise to look at other possible causes for poor behaviour, before jumping to the conclusion that their child has ADHD and then start handing out the Ritalin.
There is no doubt that a good night's sleep has a very beneficial effect on all of us, both physically and psychologically. When children have not been getting enough sleep over an extended period, then this can lead to all kinds of unplasant effects.
Diet can also be a crucial factor in your child's development. As a teacher, I am often horrified by the number of chldren who go off to school in the morning without having eaten a proper breakfast. Research has shown that oat-based cereals are an ideal breakfast food for children, as they provide a slow release of energy over a long period. Over-eating and too much sugar in the diet can have negative effects. I would also like to point out that in most primary schools, the majority of the really hard work in the academic subjects takes place relatively early on in the school day, before twelve or even before eleven o'clock.
Finally, let's not forget exercise. Children who are physically fit are more likely to concentrate better. I reckon that football is a lot better for naughty boys than Ritalin. The promise of a pony for Christmas might also improve your daughter's concentration in the most tedious of lessons.
i have done a lot of research on ths , and after speaking to doctors and genuine people I realised that this prescription of Methylphenidate is got a long term harmful effect. the best way is slow but assured. go see a occupational therapist in ur area.in doha its very difficult to find. but pervasive develpment disorders can be best treated by a occupational therapy.
I am also very eager to hear other people's responses to this. Have you had any private comments?