Hi guys.  Here is the audio of an interview that I did with Dr. Rory Stern for ADHDCrossfire.com

“Welcome to the first episode of ADHD Crossfire!  This podcast is meant to tackle the hard-hitting, controversial issues where research and science come head-to-head with real life experience.

In today’s episode, I am joined by best-selling author Jon Bennett.  Jon’s book, ‘3 Steps To Conquering ADD / ADHD: How To Eliminate Your ADD / ADHD With Scientifically Proven Natural Methods’ flies in the face of modern medicine and science, suggesting that medication is NOT the only answer (and should NOT necessarily be the first line of defense).

Pull up a chair, sit down, and join us for a red-hot conversation around ADHD Medications and Substance Abuse.”

Download MP3 HERE —->

Most major drug companies would like us to believe that there is only one possible route that we can take after the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD. This route is the one that always ends in the prescription of powerful drugs with which to ‘manage’ the condition. There is, however, a growing realisation that these drugs are not the miracle cures that parents are so often promised.

Research is pointing to the following very troubling consequences of long term ADD/ADHD drug use:
•    Stunted growth
•    Loss of long term motivation
•    Mood swings (Leading, in very extreme cases, to suicidal thoughts)
•    Substantial risk of abuse and addiction

As if the above were not bad enough it is becoming clear that the effectiveness of these drugs decrease over time.  They are therefore often not much more than temporary ‘band aids’ and do not make any difference to the underlying causes of the condition.  These facts are causing more and more people to ask the question: “Is there not a better way!?” Here at ‘3 Steps ADD’ we have always answered the question with an enthusiastic ‘Yes’. This is, in fact, exactly what the three steps are about: A better, natural, way to cope with and triumph over ADD/ADHD.
Pharmaceutical companies tried very hard over the years to paint those who advocate natural responses to the condition as being part of a lunatic fringe.  This is getting harder and harder to do as modern research is pointing to some real successes with natural approaches. 

The fact that there are a number of treatment options that can produce positive outcomes points to the fact that every person is unique. Different techniques will therefore work for different people. It is also a confirmation of the emerging scientific consensus that ADD/ADHD is not a single unified condition but rather a range of conditions.  It therefore makes perfect sense that different ‘ types’ of ADD/ADHD will have to be treated in different ways.

A major article in a recent issue of US News and World report provides an excellent overview of the different drug-free methods that have proven successful in the management and treatment of ADD/ADHD. This article confirms the philosophy that we have been teaching here at ‘3 Steps ADD’. Many of the methods that are detailed in the article are discussed at length in ‘3 Steps to Conquering ADD-ADHD’ and on this website. They include:

Positive Parenting: ADD/ADHD is a recognised neurological condition. This does not mean, however, that positive behavioural techniques and parental guidance cannot make a difference in addressing the condition. Tried and tested parenting techniques (e.g. setting routines, providing a stimulating and nurturing environment and adapting your interactions with your children according to their personalities) can go some way towards alleviating many of the more challenging aspects of the condition.

Nutrition: I firmly believe that nutrition is one of the most important keys to addressing the growing epidemic of ADD/ADHD. Many are the effects of the condition can be traced back to neurotransmitters in the brain not functioning as they should. Very often this is due to the building blocks needed for these transmitters (i.e. fats, vitamins, minerals etc) not being present in the body. This situation can often be very effectively remedied by following a balanced and carefully worked out anti ADD/ADHD diet.

Sufficient sleep: I have already pointed out in an earlier article that many instances of ADHD misdiagnosis can be traced back to a lack of sleep. Ensuring that a child gets the right amount of sleep appropriate to his/ her developmental stage can therefore be one of the most important things that a parent can do to improve attention.

Exercise: There is growing evidence that aerobic exercise can have a marked positive effect on children’s ability to pay attention. Many people would say that you certainly do not need academic studies to tell you this! Earlier generations were very aware of the positive benefits of physical activity and reaped the benefits in the form of better physical and mental health. In our day and age it is perhaps a bit more difficult to make exercise part of your daily routine but it is a discipline that is certainly well worth pursuing.

Exposure to the natural environment: One of the most interesting and most effective approaches to dealing with ADD/ADHD is to make sure that children are regularly exposed to the natural environment. More research is needed on why this is the case. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the natural environment is so effective in stimulating the whole range of our senses. The bottom line is perhaps that we all need to realise that time spent outside should be seen as an essential part of growing up.

The approaches listed above should make it clear that there are many options available for the treatment of ADD/ADHD. These options may perhaps not have the endorsement of ‘Big Pharma’ but that is perhaps exactly the point. None of them involve pumping your kids full of dangerous drugs! I am convinced that natural approaches can work, otherwise I would not have invested so much time and energy into ‘3 Steps ADD’. It is for this reason that I am delighted with the growing willingness to challenge the accepted orthodoxy on how the condition is to be managed.

(Please check back next week when I will discuss some of the other natural methods that was mentioned in the US News and World Report Article)

The study conducted by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (and published in the September issue of the journal Pediatrics) analysed calls by 13- to 19-year-olds to poison control centers between 1998 and 2005. Its findings make for sobering reading to say the least. During the period under review, calls related to teenage ADHD medication increased by 76%. This figure is roughly in line with the staggering increase in prescription rates for these kinds of drugs.  This fact underlines one of the basic problems with the industrial scale medication of a significant proportion of an entire generation.

The basic laws of economics teach us that an increase in the supply of a given product almost inevitably leads to a corresponding increase in demand.  This principle acquires an especially vicious edge when it comes to the abuse of illicit drugs.  Drug dealers create artificial conditions of abundant supply (by supplying free samples) only to then create conditions of scarcity once the addictive properties of the drugs hooked the client. With psycho-stimulant drugs that can be legally bought (at least if you have a prescription) the dynamic is slightly different.  Abundant supply is created by over-prescription which means that increasing numbers of young people who are curious about the effects of narcotics, or who perhaps had previous experience with drug use, will make use of the opportunity to get a ‘legal’ high. At least some of them will be keen to use ADD/ADHD drugs on a regular basis as their drug of choice.  The fact that these drugs can be more or less legally acquired makes them all the more appealing as they are a) easier to get hold of b) cheaper and c) more socially acceptable.

It is a sad situation when something that is supposedly designed to help struggling young people creates the perfect conditions for exposing large numbers of them to dangerous habit forming drugs. The study referenced above confirms that this is not merely a hypothetical danger but that many teenagers are in fact being harmed on a daily basis.  What is even more troubling is that misuse of the most dangerous ADHD/ADD drugs (i.e. those based on amphetamines) are far outstripping rises in prescription rates. This is especially true in the case of Aderall. Anecdotal evidence for the growth in demand for Aderall as one of the drugs of choice on school and college campuses has long been dismissed as hearsay by drug companies. This report shows that these dismissals were nothing more than PR exercises.

Can we really afford to believe the bland reassurances that ADD/ADHD drugs are the best solution for dealing with attention problems in our society?  I believe that simply taking this on good faith is a dangerous position.  We need an honest debate in our society about the effects of drugging so many people over such a long time with such dangerous chemicals.  During this debate close attention will need to be paid to the role of the big drug companies and especially to the huge profits that they are making from their flagship ADD/ADHD products.

No one expects large pharmaceutical companies to be in the business for purely philanthropic reasons.  We all understand that these companies are businesses first and foremost and that they have shareholders to keep happy.  However, most of us would also expect these companies to refrain from chasing after profits at any cost. Especially if this means promoting products that can actively harm some of the most vulnerable members of society. I believe that many companies have crossed this line.

The issues surrounding addiction are but the tip of the iceberg of what I believe to be the harmful societal impact of ADD/ADHD drugs. I will use next week’s article to discuss the reasons why I believe this to be the case.  In the meantime I urge you to tread carefully by refusing to accept the soothing reassurances about the safety and efficacy of these drugs at face value.  Instead, ask probing questions and do some research.  Your findings will surprise and shock you. See you next week!

The human brain relies on certain vitamins and minerals in order to do its job of being the nerve centre of the body. These cannot be manufactured by our bodies and should therefore be derived from our diets. It is however quite difficult to design a diet that consistently provides adequate levels of all the basic vitamins and minerals. This is the reason why many people opt for a vitamin supplement in addition to eating a healthy diet. In designing a diet and/or choosing a supplement it is very important to include sufficient quantities of the most important vitamins and minerals and not just the latest ‘fad vitamin’! This is especially important when you consider the link between impaired brain function and the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. We should therefore all do our best to design our vitamin and mineral intake with the eye firmly on optimum brain performance.

As far as brain function is concerned the most important vitamins and minerals are the following:

Vitamin E

Study after study has shown that Vitamin E can play a significant role in delaying, or blocking, the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This is due to the fact that Vitamin E can significantly reduce oxidative stress in the brain. This anti-oxidative effect of Vitamin E means that it plays a vital role in combating the natural brain cell ‘damage’ that comes with time. There are several kinds of food that are rich in Vitamin E. They include: almonds, leafy vegetables, most vegetable oils and whole-grain flour. If you choose a supplement containing Vitamin E make sure that it contains ‘mixed topocherols’. This simply means that you will get the two most important Vitamin E components. (Alpha topocherol and gamma topecherol if you are interested)

B Vitamins

B Vitamins are perhaps the most important set of ‘brain vitamins’ that there is. This is because they play such a vital role in assisting the formation of brain messengers like dopamine, epinephrine and serotonin. The most important B Vitamins are:

Wellbutrin has a chemical structure that is different from all other antidepressant medication.  While other antidepressants target the brain chemical called serotonin, Wellbutrin does not.  Some physicians think this drug is ideal for treating ADHD because they think it may act on the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine.

If your doctor mentions the use of Wellbutrin, you cannot combine it with Strattera.  Other drug interactions include Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), anticonvulsant medications such as Dilantin and Tegretol, and ulcer medications such as Tagamet.

Not everyone with ADHD will want to try this drug.  If you have a history of anorexia or bulimia, seizures or brain damage, you should avoid it.  Twenty eight percent of people who take Wellbutrin experience a significant weight loss.

Wellbutrin can be used for ADHD, with caution, if you have bipolar disorder, have weight loss associated with depression, kidney disease, liver disease, and are over the age of 60 years.  In addition, you can use this drug even if you are addicted to diet pills, narcotics, stimulants, cocaine, or over-the-counter stimulants.

What about the side effects?

• restlessness
• agitation
• anxiety
• excessive sweating
• weight loss, decreased appetite
• insomnia
• headache
• ringing in the ears
• dry mouth
• dizziness
• constipation
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• tremors
• seizures
• decreased white blood cell count

Wellbutrin has also been associated with a rapid heart beat, mental confusion, and menstrual complaints.  It’s effects during pregnancy are not well understood, so it is best to steer clear.  And if you are breast feeding, you must know that Wellbutrin does pass into breast milk and can cause a serious reaction in your baby.

Some rare side effects that have been reported include a change in hair color, painful erections, no erections, and unusual ejaculations.  Also, the side effects of Wellbutrin in kids under the age of 18 are not known, so this is not an appropriate treatment for them.

In addition to all of the lovely side effects you have just read about, if that’s not enough to cause you concern, consider the issue of withdrawal from Wellbutrin.  Withdrawal from this drug must be done slowly and under the supervision of a physician.  Suddenly stopping Welbutrin can cause unpleasant and potentially serious side effects.

As I write this, I have to wonder why anyone would turn to medication as a first choice of treatment for ADD/ADHD?  Some drug companies will stress that they must list every side effect possible, but that many hardly ever occur.  That may or may not be true.  Pharmaceutical companies prefer to downplay a drug’s side effects, because of course, they want to sell their drugs!  For example, the makers of Wellbutrin have had numerous lawsuits filed against them by patients and their families who suffered from seizures after taking Wellbutrin.  So just how many of the above side effects are you willing to tolerate?  It ultimately becomes a matter of choosing your ADD/ADHD symptoms or to have other symptoms that can prove to be every bit as disruptive!

Strattera is known as a selective norepinephrenine reuptake inhibitor.  This means that it strengthens the chemical signal between the nerves that use norepinephrine to send messages.  It does not seem to affect the dopamine systems as directly as stimulants drugs do, but it does cause a secondary increase in dopamine levels in the brain area located behind your eyes.   This is the area that is associated with the ability to mentally rehearse responses and inhibit impulsivity.  It’s also associated with your working memory.  It is not thought to be at such a high risk for abuse because it is not a Schedule II drug (known for significant potential for addiction) like the stimulants.

While professionals still prefer to try stimulants first, this drug has a gradual and subtle onset.  It takes a few days to reach a maximum effect, and some report they’ve had to take it for as long as 3 weeks before seeing any effects.  It is taken once or twice a day, and that makes it preferable for children as they don’t have to remember a dose at school.

Now that you know how it works, what about side effects, conflicting conditions, etc?  Before beginning Strattera, you should let your doctor know if you have:

• current or past depression, psychosis, or other mental conditions
• substance abuse
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• epilepsy or another seizure disorder
• liver disease
• kidney disease
• pregnancy, nursing, or plans to become pregnant

Common side effects include the following:

• problems sleeping/insomnia
• dry mouth
• decrease in appetite
• weight loss
• upset stomach
• constipation
• nausea and/or vomiting
• dizziness
• fatigue
• mood swings
• ear infections
• influenza
• irritability

In adults, there can be sexual side effects including a decreased libido, ejaculatory problems, impotence, urination problems, and painful menstrual periods.

Of course, the drug company that makes Strattera, Lilly Pharmaceuticals, says this is a safe drug overall.  They report conducting 6 placebo-controlled studies in children, adolescents, and adults to submit the results to the FDA.  Early studies indicated that the potential for abuse is lower and the side effects milder than those reported when using stimulant medications.

Two of the trials said its effects were as good as those produced by stimulant medications.  The researchers did, however, say they wanted to conduct larger studies to check out this claim.

The short term studies showed that Straterra increased the heart rates and bloodpressures in children.  The long-term effects of increased heart rate and blood pressure are still not known.  Children also fell below their height and weight growth curves during a more long-term study.  The long-term effects are unknown as to whether Strattera use will effect adult height.

The studies also showed side effects in sexual functioning.  Also of concern is the question of how this drug will affect kids whose sexual organs are still developing.

So there you have it – the good, the bad, and the ugly – about taking the non-stimulant Strattera.  I am still of the opinion that if you want to try a “pill” for your ADD/ADHD symptoms, wouldn’t you prefer a more natural route?

Your treating physician needs to know if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• Glaucoma
• Hardening or blocking of the arteries or heart blood vessels
• Heart disease or defect
• High blood pressure
• History of substance abuse or current use
• Psychotic illness, depressed mood, or suicidal thoughts
• Recent weight loss
• Seizures
• Have taken an MAOI like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in the  last 14 days
• Thyroid disease
• Tourette’s Syndrome
• An unusual or allergic reaction to dextroamphetamines, other amphetamines, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• Breast-feeding

The list of medications that can interact with these stimulants is pretty vast and long:

• Alcohol
• Certain migraine medications such as Almotriptan, Eletriptan, Frovatripan, Naratriptan, Rizatriptan, Sumatriptan, and Zolmitriptan
• Lithium
• MAOIs such as Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• Melatonin (herbal supplement)
• Meperdine
• Other stimulant medications for ADD/ADHD, weight loss, or to stay awake
• Pimozide
• Procarbazine
• Acetazolamide
• Ammonium Chloride
• Ascorbic Acid
• Glutamic Acid
• Medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
• Medicines for colds, sinus, and breathing difficulties
• Meds for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• Meds for seizures like Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, and Phenytoin
• Methanamine
• Norepinephrine
• Propoxyphene
• Sodium Acid Phosphate
• Sodium Bicarbonate

Like the other group of stimulants, the drug company recommends that you tell your physician about ANY prescription of non-prescriptions drugs that you take.  Do not assume something is safe to use with these drugs simply because it isn’t listed!

Now we are back to the side effects you might notice.  Again, you will recognize some of these already, but there are also some side effects that are different as well.

• Allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• Intense anger, anxiety, or mania
• Chest pain
• Fast, irregular heartbeats
• Fever, or hot, dry skin
• Hallucinations
• High blood pressure
• Muscle twitching
• Uncontrollable head, mouth, neck, arm, or leg movements
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting
• Nervousness, restlessness
• Stomach cramps
• Weight loss
• Trouble sleeping

Jill W. recounted to me her experience with taking Adderall.  She had enough problematic symptoms of ADD that she went to her physician where, predictably, he suggested medication as the first line of treatment.   Like many of us, she said that she’d trusted her doctor and his recommendations.  “After all,” she said, “he’s the doctor.”  He even gave her some samples of Adderall so she could keep her costs down (Hmmm – wonder where he got those???).  She was not told about side effects nor was she asked about any existing medical conditions.

The first thing she noticed was that she had no appetite.  However, Jill said she wasn’t about to report that because she wanted to lose some weight anyway and this seemed like a great “extra.”  She wasn’t sleeping very well, but chalked it up to stress, not the medicine.  She did find herself, in her words, “ready to kick anyone’s a*$ that crossed me,” but still didn’t find these problems to be enough to report to her doctor.

What finally scared her were the chest pains and fast heart beat she began to have for several days in a row.  Convinced she was having a heart attack, she went to the ER where she was sent home with a diagnosis of “panic attack.”  The symptoms persisted until one day, she looked on the insert that came with her Adderall.  There it was in black and white.  Her symptoms matched some of those listed as side effects.

Even though she reported this to her physician, his first recommendation was that he would adjust her dose.  But Jill wasn’t convinced.  She stopped the medication altogether.

Next week, we will explore the class of drugs known as Atomoxetine and Buproprion.

So what are the side effects we are talking about here?  I am going to discuss them below.  But I want to be perfectly clear – I am NOT trying to scare the dickens out of you about side effects.  You must determine for yourself if this is a path you want to try.  But if you do, please be fully aware of the side effects so that you be be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.  Let’s start today with the group of Methylphenidates (Ritalin, Metadate, Methyln, Focalin, or Concerta).

If you are planning on taking Ritalin, Metadate, or Concerta, be sure your physician knows about any of the following conditions you might have:

• difficulties swallowing or a history of blockages of the stomach or intestines
• family history of suicide
• glaucoma
• heart condition or a recent heart attack
• high blood pressure
• history of substance abuse
• liver disease
• mental illnesses including schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder
• motor tics, family history, or diagnosis of Tourette’s Syndrome
• overactive thyroid
• seizures
• have taken an MAOI like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in last 14 days
• an unusual or allergic reaction to Methylphenidate, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• breast-feeding

If you are taking certain medications along with one of these drugs, you need to know that the interactions can be very harmful.  DO NOT take these stimulants if you are taking any of the following medications:

• Atomoxetine
• Lithium
• MAO Inhibitors such as Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Eldypryl
• Other stimulant medicines such as amphetamines, dextroamphetamine, dexmethylphenidate, modafinil
• Procarbazine

Other medications that MIGHT interact are:

• Medicines for high blood pressure
• Caffeine
• Clonidine
• Drugs used to decrease appetite or cause weight loss
• Medications for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
• Medicines used to treat seizures
• Warfarin

Interestingly, the drug company mentions that this is not an all inclusive list of possible interactions with medications, so they suggest you give your treating physician a list of everything you take.  This includes non-prescription drugs such as vitamins, herbal supplements, weight loss drugs, etc.

If you aren’t a bit unnerved yet, check out these side effects:

• You may experience an allergic reaction like a skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue.
• You might feel unusually nervous or anxious.
• You may have chest pain.
• You may notice that you are experiencing a fast and irregular heartbeat.
• You may have a fever or hot, dry skin.
• Your head, mouth, neck, arms, or legs may move uncontrollably.
• You may notice unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Side effects such as weight loss, headaches, and stomach upset may also occur.

Due to its dangerous nature, the government requires that you get a new prescription for these drugs every time you need a refill.  And here’s an interesting caveat:  “These medicines may affect your concentration.”  You mean the very medication you want to take to improve your concentration might actually inhibit it?  Hmmmm.

My point here remains the same.  You cannot afford to be too careful if you decide that medication is your choice of treatment.  But given what you’ve just learned about this first group of stimulants, don’t you think you owe it to yourself or to your child to try other avenues for treatment first?

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Dextroamphetamines include the drugs Dexedrine and Dextrostat.  These are short acting drugs that have an onset in about 30 to 60 minutes.  They last about four to five hours.  What’s different about these from other stimulants if that they have been approved for children under the age of six and reportedly have a good safety record.  Common side effects include insomnia, decreased appetite, weight loss, headache, irritability, and stomachache.  There is also a really good chance of rebound agitation or exaggeration of pre-medication symptoms as it wears off.

As you worry about these drugs and whether taking them is good for you or your child, you should know that these drugs seem to have a high risk for abuse.  So if there is a history of any sort of substance abuse, you may not want to consider using these medications.  A longer lasting form of the medicine is called Dexedrine Spansule which can last for five to ten hours.  This form is particularly good for kids who cannot remember to take a second dose of their medicines at lunchtime!

Mixed Amphetamines is the last group of stimulant medications that include Adderall and Adderall XR.  The first is a short acting drug with an onset of 30 to 60 minutes and a duration of 4 to 5 hours.  Adderall XR has an onset of 60 to 90 minutes and has a duration of 10 to 12 hours.  Both are said to wear off more gradually so there is less chance of the rebound effect, and if it does occur, the rebound is mild.  Yet the side effects are the same as other stimulants.

Aside from whatever your feelings and opinions are about taking drugs to treat Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms, you simply cannot ignore the many side effects that can occur.  Next week, I am going to delve into those effects of stimulants much more thoroughly.  With that information, you can make an informed decision as to whether you want these substances in your body of that of your child.

There are plenty of testimonials from individuals who have said that drugs helped tremendously.  BUT – there are just as many testimonials from others who will tell you that one of these drugs caused havoc in their lives.  For stimulants, the major complaints are about severe anxiety and agitation.  For those of you whose normal temperament might be described as “high strung,” you may find that adding a stimulant to your body’s chemistry will cause your agitation over the edge.  Along with agitation and anxiety, many have reported a lot of sleep disturbance that in turn can significantly affect your personality and moods.  For many, the resulting side effects far outweigh any of the benefits that are promised.

So again, before you chose pharmacology as your first line of treatment, do your homework.  And when you are done, do some more and make sure you are 100% comfortable with what you are considering taking or giving your child.  If you have had experiences with these drugs and would like to share them here, I welcome all of your comments!

Stimulants are drugs that work in the central nervous system to help the brain increase the circulation levels of those chemicals thought to be at a low level in persons with ADHD.  Stimulants are thoguth to help children and adults concentrate more easily and to help control other symptoms of ADHD.  While most people can take these drugs without difficulty, others have pretty serious side effects.  These can range from minor problems such as decreased appetite and delayed sleep onset, to more troubling symptoms such as tics and even hallucinations.

One major concern parents have about stimulants is that since these drugs can be habit-forming in adults, they might have the same effects on children, or that children might become drug addicts in later years.  The research is sketchy on this, but most agree that addiction in the pediatric population is not a major concern.

Stimulants work differently in children than adults.  Most of the drugs have to be ggiven more than twice a day.  However, there are newer forms that only require once-a-day dosing which makes it easier to give to a school-age child.  These drugs work well with “drug holidays,” a period of time (weekends, school breaks, summers) where the drugs are not needed, where the child does not have to be so focused, or when it is not necessary to control hyperactivity.

Do not let yourself become confused or overwhelemd by the names or types of drugs.  What you should be aware of, however, is how these drugs affect the brain and ultimately the person with ADD or ADHD.

Also, a common question parents will ask is, “If my kid had ADHD, why would I give him stimulants?”  For some reason, when you give a stimulant to a child or adult with ADHD, he is thought to get on the right track.  His brain seems to shift into a different gear that makes paying attention easier.  He can absorb and integrate informaiton such that he can focus more effectivley.

METHYLPHENIDATE is the first category of stimulants and is a drug that you have undoubtedly heard of in one place or another.  Methyphenidates include Ritalin, Focalin, Ritalin SR, Metadate ER, and Concerta.

Ritalin and Focalin are short acting medicines with one dose lasting about 3 to 4 hours.  These are helpful drugs when a rapid onset of symptoms management is needed in a short amount of time.  While they work quickly and are thought to be effective in about 70% of patients, they should be used cautiously if there is a lot of anxiety, tics, a family history of Tourette’s syndrome, or a history of substance abuse.  Side effects of Ritalin include insomnia, decreased appetite, weight loss, headaches, irritability, stomachaches, and a rebound agitation or exaggeration of pre-medication symptoms as it is wearing off.  Focalin has the same side effects except it doesn’t seem to disturb sleep or appetite as much.

Ritalin SR (sustained release) and Metadate ER (extended release) have a longer onset for about 60 to 90 minutes.  Duration of these drugs is thougt to be 6 to 8 hours depending on the individual.  They wear off more gradually so the risk for abuse is low.  Side effects are about the same.

Concerta begins working in 30 to 60 minutes and its duration is about 10 to 14 hours.  While it has the same side effects, the risk for abuse is low.

Even though many of these drugs are considered “miracle drugs” for many cases of ADD/ADHD, it is not always the case.  Consider MIchael who was diagnosed with ADHD in high school.  Although his parents were against medication, he started taking Ritalin when he went to college and sought help for himself.  Whiel the first week seemed like a dream come true, his symptoms began to change.  Michaelr eports sleep disturbance, increased anxiety and irritability that would not go away.  His doctor tried to change the dose, but nothing helped.  It was then that Michael decided to stop the medicine and seek behavioral therapy for his symptom management.  he said that within a day of stopping medication, he was back to his old self.

Many doctors and drug companies want you to use medicine as a quick fix for many ailments including ADD/ADHD.  As you begin to research the issue of whether medicine is right for you or your child, make sure you are getting your information form unbiased sources.  If a drug company has financed a study or has written the review of a medication, just keep in mind that they may be motivated by more than just providing education.  Pharmaceuticals are a big business – so buyer beware!

ADD/ADHD is believed to be a malfunction of the dopamine transmitter system in the brain. These transmitters are responsible for the reuptake of dopamine from the synaptic gap into the nerve cells. If the number of transmitters is too high, then the available dopamine is in short supply, and voila, ADD/ADHD symptoms appear! The drugs used by physicians are thought to target the dopamine system of the brain to alleviate symptoms.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to attempt to explain the different types of ADD/ADHD medications and how they are thought to work. In addition, you will begin to see that much of the hype surrounding these drugs has been produced by the drug companies that manufacture them. More hype equals better sales!

You need to understand and be aware that the pharmacology business is huge and the profits are staggering. While the argument can certainly be made that the drugs are beneficial for those suffering form ADD/ADHD, it is up to you to be a smart consumer. Educate yourself about these drugs before you buy into the drug company’s testimonials.

Let’s first review the 3 types of ADHD.

§ Inattentive Only: This sufferer cannot pay attention, but is completely capable of sitting still and not causing disruption. This used to be known as ADD.

§ Hyperactive/Impulsive: This is the person who can pay attention and focus, but cannot sit still no matter what! He might be impulsive, blurting out answers before called on, for example. Impulsivity is usually manifested by acting without thinking first about the consequences.

§ Combined Inattentive/Hyperactive/Impulsive: This is the most commonly diagnosed of the three kinds, and as you can see, it includes all of the symptoms.

There are 3 common medications used to treat ADD/ADHD. Psychostimulant medications are the most well known and best researched drugs. Studies have shown that as many as 9 out of 10 patients experience a significant decrease in their symptoms. But remember, these studies are normally done by the drug company that makes the drug! In other cases, the studies done by private researchers are often funded by the drug company. In other words, there is often a direct correlation between successful findings and the drugs being represented by a company!

Amphetamines are the other group of drugs that are the most commonly used and prescribed. If you are thinking, “Wait a minute, isn’t an amphetamine the same thing as ‘speed’?” Yep, you are correct. For some odd chemical reason, the same stuff that revs up “normal” people is thought to calm the sufferer of ADD/ADHD. Again, when you think about it, taking speed for your ADD/ADHD symptoms seems sort of scary, doesn’t it?

While I am on the subject of psychostimulants and amphetamines, did you know that these are Class 2 drugs? This means that they are controlled substances because if misused, they can be quite dangerous. Of course, that probably leads you to ask, “So why would I give that to my child or take it myself?” Good question!

When a child or adult does not respond well to the above two classes of medications, he either experiences no real positive effects from the medicine or the side effects are too uncomfortable to tolerate (more about that later). So the second line of treatment is the prescription of antidepressant medications. The studies of this remedy assert that 60-70% of patients taking these drugs experience improvement in their ADD/ADHD symptoms.

No two people experience the effects of these medications the same. That is because the symptoms vary from person to person and in their severity. It is ultimately up to you, as a parent, or you as the adult ADHDer, to determine whether you want these substances in your body. What I want to do here is to educate you thoroughly about the drugs used to treat ADD/ADHD so that you can make an informed choice about your decision to either medicate or not. If there are alternatives to medication, though, don’t you thin k you owe it to yourself to find out all you can about prescription drugs versus other alternative treatments?

I have know the story of Matthew Smith for over 5 years
now, and every time I hear the story I am motivated
to continue to do my best to help ADD ADHD families.

There are too many people blindly following the advice
their well-intentioned Doctors and taking these
dangerous medications.

If you are taking medication for ADD ADHD like Adderall,
Ritalin, Concerta, Strattera, or the new Vyvanse, please
reconsider and explore your options.

It has been scientifically proven that natural methods not
only work, they are more effective and actually treat the
cause of the ADD-ADHD.

Drugs only act as a band-aid to the true problem.

Visit http://3stepsadd.com to learn more about how
to eliminate your ADD ADHD naturally.

Have a Blessed Day!
Jon Bennett
ps – Mr. Smith metioned the product neu-be-calm.  More
information can be found @ http://neu-be-calm.com

http://3stepsadd.com

• How Big Drug Companies push their drugs
• Why you Doctor prescribes certain drugs
• Why you MUST do your homework and NOT blindly trust every medication