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Kids are being misdiagnosed with ADHD

A Review of ADHD

For the past 100 years how to treat children with ADHD has been among controversy. I am sure you are wondering what is ADHD? Several families have found themselves asking the same questions. ADHD is a common developmental and behavioral disorder. It is characterized by poor concentration, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulses that are inappropriate for the child's age. Children with ADHD are easily distracted by sights and sounds in their environment, cannot concentrate for long periods of time, are restless and impulsive, or have a tendency to daydream and be slow to complete tasks. (webcenter.health.webmd.netscape.com/content/article/45/1663-51211, 2006). In my research I have found ADHD may be misdiagnosed and mistreated, I do not believe all children that are restless and impulsive in school have ADHD and too many children are misdiagnosed and treated when they should not be. Parents, physicians and researchers are questioning how to define and treat this so called disorder, and this will be addressed in the following four questions.

1. Are schools using ADHD as an easy way out?

2. Are children dying from ADHD medications?

3. Are parents' lifestyles leading professionals to think that many children have ADHD problems?

4. Are children who were born as preemies or have had birth complications more prone to ADHD?

How Are our Schools Using ADHD as an Easy Way Out?

In 1998 at the National Institute of Health Consensus on ADHD, the following statement was issued: "We do not have an independent, valid test for ADHD, and there is no data to indicate that ADHD is due to a brain malfunction." Dr Fred Baughman Jr. MD, Child Neurologist, 2006 , (www.ritalindeath.com).

Labels like ADHD, ADD, ODD, LD, etc., are in no sense true diseases. There are no reliable diagnostic methods. Psychiatrists cannot even agree among themselves about how to diagnose ADD/ADHD. In addition, your child needs to be put on medication that is a close cousin to amphetamine because of the ADHD label. The schools receive additional state and federal funding every semester, for every child, that is labeled as learning disabled. Children that are diagnosed as having ADHD or ADD are labeled by schools as learning disabled and allow schools to receive that extra funding.

Matthew Smith's parents tell about how they were pressured by their child's school to place their son on Ritalin. It all started for Matthew in the first grade when the school social worker, in Berkley, Michigan, kept calling the family in for meetings. The social worker, Monica Fuchs, made the family feel threatened when she said that if they wouldn't consider getting Matt on Ritalin for the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Social Services would charge the family for neglecting his educational and emotional needs. "I believe that some school employees like having children medicated because it makes restless students, having a difficult time learning and understanding, easier to manage, regardless of the physical and psychological risks this practice poses to children", according to the Smith family. (www.ritalindeath.com,2006).

Children dying from ADHD medications.

In an article, National Foundations for Gifted and Creative Children, ( www.Nfgcc.org) they argue that the ADHD diagnosis checklist of behaviors is almost the same as the checklist of behaviors for gifted children. The DEA has classified Ritalin as a schedule two drug, comparable to cocaine. Ritalin is also one of the top ten abused prescription drugs on the street today. In the article, Death from Ritalin the Truth Behind ADHD, (www.ritalindeath.com) it states when amphetamines are used, all veins and arteries constrict and get very small which makes it hard for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. The extra force it takes to circulate blood causes high blood pressure and damage to the heart.

There are many drugs that are given to children for ADD and ADHD other than Ritalin. In the article, Death from Ritalin the Truth Behind ADHD, other drugs listed to treat ADD and ADHD are, Addreall, Concerta, Metadate, Dexedrime, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox and Strattera. These drugs can cause serious side effects. Side effects can include seizures; cardiac problems such as arrhythmias, hypertension, heart failure and even death. These drugs can also cause emotional symptoms such as psychosis, agitation, aggression, hostility, anxiety and hallucinations. Parents can find complete information about the side-effects of each drug in the drug insert from their pharmacist or in the Physician's Desk Reference.

Unfortunately for some children, their parents weren't informed in time to save their child's' life. From the article, What Drug Makers of ADD and ADHD Drugs Don't Want You To know, (www.ritalindeath.com), thousands of children have died from using psychotropic drugs. Some of these cases are listed below:

Eleven year-old Stephanie Hall's school teacher suggested that she be tested for ADHD. Stephanie's death was caused from the Ritalin used to treat ADHD.

Ten year-old Shaina Louise Dunkle was diagnosed with ADHD by her school psychologist. Shania's death was caused from the Desipramine used to treat ADHD. Fourteen year-old Matthew Smith diagnosed with ADHD by his school psychologist. Matthew's death was caused from the Ritalin used to control his behavior. His Certificate of Death reads, Death caused from Long Term Use of Methylphenidate, (Ritalin).

In the article, Death From Ritalin The Truth Behind ADHD, it continues on about the death of Matthew Smith. According to Dr. Ljuba Dragovic, the chief pathologist in Oakland County Michigan, an autopsy revealed that Matthew's heart showed clear signs of small vessel damage, the type caused by stimulant drugs like amphetamines. A full-grown man's heart weighs about 350 grams and Matthew's heart weighed about 402 grams.

Parents' Lifestyle Changes are Leading Professionals to Think that Many Children