fitzsharonlynne

I know, I know, I should wait a week before posting, but I've read
all of the previous debate on Ritalin... (can I get a waiver? :)

My name is Sharon, and I've worked for over two years as a
houseparent for boys with "behavioral disabilities" (covers the
gamut from ADD/ADHD to schizophrenia and autism). I'm currently
studying substance abuse in college, and pyschology is one of my
major fascinations.

From what I've seen, read and researched, ADD/ADHD *is* a real
disease -- but it doesn't affect nearly the population that is
currently believed. Recent research at Duke University suggests
that perhaps ADD is caused by low serotonin levels in the brain (not
dopamine, as previously thought). (
http://www.hhmi.org/news/caron2.html)

"Beyond your mood, serotonin helps control the flow of thoughts and
information in your brain, a little like a a cop directing traffic
at a busy intersection. When the serotonin system is strong and
active, thoughts flow in a fairly orderly, coherent manner. If
serotonin levels greatly drop, thoughts become more scattered and
unfocussed. Memory and concentration begin to suffer. Many a person
under severe stress knows this feeling of 'thoughts racing through
your head, out of control'." (from
http://thedea.org/yourbrain.html) (Does this sound familiar?)

The danger of using Ritalin to medicate ADD is that, yes, it raises
the serotonin levels, but it also raises dopamine levels. *That's*
the main effect of a stimulant, the "buzz" that everybody knows.
This is why Ritalin abuse is so prevalent in middle- and high-
schools: It gives a high very similar to cocaine when snorted.

Consequently, long-term Ritalin use has shown similar side-effects
as long-term cocaine use. In 'small' doses, though, researchers
hope that ritalin usage won't become overly addicting. (Liverpool,
England, has been experimenting with giving low doses of heroin to
long term addicts -- so they can maintain living without withdrawal,
but the dosage *isn't enough to get high.* It's sort of the same
idea, and it often works.)

Some people with ADD without Ritalin end up self-medicating (as
someone mentioned) to make up for their serotonin level deficiency.
They end up on cocaine or meth. The studies that show Ritalin users
more likely to end up abusing these two drugs aren't much good: it's
correlational research. The fact is that people with ADD/ADHD are
more likely to abuse these drugs. Just because many of them are
currently on Ritalin doesn't mean that Ritalin leads into coke
addiction. Those people are missing some chemical in their brains,
and they do what they can to make up for it.

The moral of the story: some people REALLY have ADD/ADHD. They're
not just seven-year-old boys who have been asked to sit too long at
a desk and read "Spot Runs." For some of them, Ritalin may be the
best current choice, but it does have bad side effects. Other,
better drugs are coming as understanding grows. The choice is then
left to the parents and the kids: wait for those better drugs, or
work with what we currently have?


-- Sharon

zenmomma2kids

> The moral of the story: some people REALLY have ADD/ADHD. They're
> not just seven-year-old boys who have been asked to sit too long at
> a desk and read "Spot Runs."

Maybe, but those are the ones who are most often told there is
something wrong with them. That they aren't functioning "up to
standards." It seems that the more people with these low serotonin
levels are made to conform and work/learn in a certain way, the more
symptoms there are. No? Maybe the answer must also address the
underlying social causes as well as the chemical imbalances in the
brain.

>> The choice is then left to the parents and the kids: wait for
those better drugs, or work with what we currently have?>>

Those aren't the only two choices.

Life is good.
~Mary

Elizabeth Roberts

Speaking as someone with ADD, I know it exists.
However, it wouldn't be considered half the problem
that it is if it wasn't for societal mores and
constraints...public education being one of the worst
situations for those with ADD.

But I don't look at it as a disability or anything, it
is simply the way I am; I'm not MEANT to be a quiet
desk job detail oriented person. It's not even what is
most important in life.

Elizabeth

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In a message dated 4/17/03 1:44:45 PM, sharonlcate@... writes:

<< The choice is then

left to the parents and the kids: wait for those better drugs, or

work with what we currently have? >>

Perhaps a better choice for unschoolers is to work WITHOUT the drugs and help
the kids figure out ways to function with the biochemistry they have.

Sandra