Paranoia?

You might not have been on the board in a while to know what the issue is with Ball. It isn’t that he is anti-medication. There are many people on this board who have found other solutions, or are hoping to find something that will alleviate their child’s symptons. That isn’t the problem and there is no problem sharing those things in a constructive and supportive way.

Ball was obsessively posting anything he could get on the internet that was anti-Ritalin, anti-ADD, anti-LD that would prove his point ADD and LDs don’t exist and that the reason we think it does is that the schools, parents, and doctors are bad. If you don’t agree, you are flamed in a disgusting fashion. The guy is unbalanced, no doubt with issues left over from an ADD childhood where he needs to deny he had ADD or LDs and where he felt his parents could’ve done a better job as parents and made it go away, plus scars from a terrible school experience. His mission is to make sure the parents on this board don”t end up with a kid that grows into a man like Ball, and only he knows the secret to parenting. Paranoid?? Well, yes and there’s probably a lot more troubling him. I don’t know if he knows that what he is doing is wrong. It appears that he can’t control himself, so the moderators are attempting to control the board. They aren’t attempting to control free speech, only abusive behavior.

I must not have read any of his offensive posts but I have been on these boards for some time but I posted a few times under a diferent name. The posts of his that I did read were controversial but I did not find them offensive but I suppose offense is in the eye of the beholder.

Like I said before I am pretty much against stimulant therapy. I advise my patients who have ADD adults and children not to opt for stimulant therapy without discussing out safer alternatives with their doctor.

My belief that ADD ADHD are real is more of a personal belief based on observation of patients but it is true that nothing exists in the literature that objectively supports ADD ADHD as a diagnosis so from that perspective Ball is correct. His postings have given me cause to reexamine my beliefs about ADD ADHD and I see that as a good thing.

Mary,

As a Chiropractic Doctor you bring a different perpective than us “lay” people to this issue. What did your teachers/textbooks have to say on ADD, ADHD, and LD? Also, as I understand different schools have different views on this, it might be helpful if you could list a short resume.

I understand why a person would post under different names on a board. I’ve done so myself. If its not too personal, may I ask what names you posted under? That will give me a better idea of your background and where you are coming from. For example, I posted amonyoumly (sp) at first because I was embarassed to be LD and wanted to get a feel for the board. Now I only post under this user name.

Thank you,
Barb

Mary, please don’t blame the moderators. You don’t know what this board was like just a week ago. People tried to ignore Ball’s personal attacks and it did absolutely no good. The abuse escalated in a bully-type fashion. Often half of the postings were Ball’s, alias postings, and even impersonations. He lost all credibility. In my mind, any information that he presented was suspect. I questioned the sources, legitimacy, and even the authenticity. I also get the impression that the moms on this site are not impressionable pushovers that are being taken advantage of by schools or doctors or advertisements. It seems that medication has been chosen overall as a last resort. Not being the parent of these kids, I don’t feel qualified to say that they did the wrong thing. They are weighing the possible side effects of the medications vs. the side effects of the condition. They are here on-line seeking alternatives, newer meds, etc… If they were bad parents, they wouldn’t be here networking.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not chastising you. I have been to other msg. boards, and I have never seen anything like it. I never would have believed that someone’s postings could inflame such emotion or that the perpetrator would be so tenacious. So, I completely understand how a person coming in late to a sanitized board could find it confusing. I think the moderators responded to a flood of complaints from parents representing all sorts of views. I think they accidentally purged one of my postings also by accident but it’s a small price to pay to get this board back to a safe place so that we all can learn from each other. I actually left the board until the postings started to get purged. Now I’m back and, by the way, I haven’t chosen medication yet for my daughter. We’re in the process of ruling out other medical causes. In particular, it is a strong possibility that my daughter is hypothyroid and we’ll be finding out the results of the bloodwork next week. I actually had to push for this testing even though her extremely short stature and poor growth rate are also associated with hypothyroidism.

I hope that you can add your professional viewpoints to the debate. Terry

Mary, the moderators did not imediately start purging Ball’s messages. I put in a complaint about a week before anything was done. A lot of people left this board because of Ball. Losing parents from the discussion was not a good thing for me.

Mary, I was one of the parent who was disgusted by Ball’s replies and postings and left.

Some unsuspecting parent would post to look for info or advice about medicating and he would put things like “why don’t you fill your kid up with cocaine so you can feel like a good parent.”

We don’t need this kind of comments for parents that need help and are already on an emotional roller coaster. I am one of those parents that had to weigh the medication issue for my son. Though I have made my decision and have seen the positive results, I still continue to look for other alternatives to help my son, so that one day I may be able to take him off meds. I certainly don’t need Ball to put my emotions on a roller coaster everytime I come on the board. You can have different opinions and different options, which is why I come to look for different ways to help my son, but I shouldn’t be called a BAD PARENT just because I chose to medicate, and I shouldn’t have his opinions shoved down my throat.

We have to agree to disagree in a respectful way. We have had emotionally charged discussions on other boards, but the difference was EVERYBODY there was RESPECTFUL.

I would think that a Chiropractor would understand our feelings as many MD’s think of them as quacks. Everyone makes their own decisions based on their own circumstances. If Mary had a bulletin board on a website dedicated to Chiropractic care, I am sure she would not appreciate a person coming on and posting about how adjustments do nothing but cost money, cause strokes, etc. This is the situation that we found ourselves in while searching for or trying to share information.

By the way-before someone gets upset-I am stating that other people have these opinions…I am not stating that they are mine.

I am a long time visitor to this board. Ball was ruining it. I knew what it was like pre-Ball and post-Ball. He would completely take over threads, even threads that did not have anything to do with meds. I can certainly understand the arguements against meds. I can deal with people who reasonably bring up questions about medication for ADD. But Ball was a sledgehammer. He had no regard for others feelings. There was no ability to have a discussion with him on the board. I finally sent a complaint about him as well. I know there are parents on this board who either do not medicate or who use alternatives. There are also many on this board who do medicate. We should respect each others opinions. I fully trust and believe in the parents on this board to make the right decision for their children. I must say I am really impressed with all of you. You are all obviously very concerned for your children and take their best interests to heart. It is insulting that Ball implied you are all mindless idiots who would put your children on terrible drugs.

Here is a little story: many years ago, when my oldest was still very young, we did not know she had ADD. She is the inattentive type, so there was no problem with hyperactivity. I read, or heard various arguements about ADD. About how it was made up, or due to bad parenting or bad schools. The standard cliche of “drugging our kids” was familiar to me. But I had never studied or paid much attention to what ADD really was.

One day, a friend of mine mentioned her teenaged son was diagnosed and had been on Ritalin for the past several years. Oh yes, Ritalin, that terrible Ritalin! Some of those cliched arguements against ADD and “drugs” fleetingly passed through my mind. But I kept my mouth shut. I let her keep talking. Her next words were how much Ritalin had helped her son, and what a big, positive difference it was for him. It was at that point that I realized I had nothing to say to her. I really knew nothing at all about ADD and medications. I did not really know her son, his history, and what they went through. In short, I respected her decision. I knew she had the that she had the best interest in her son and knew best what was the right thing to do.

This board is all about informing parents, so parents can make the best decisions for their children. Not just in regards to medication but also for many other issues. Before Ball, these discussions were carried out respectfully and were very informative.

You mothers and fathers and grandparents out there are to be commended for trying to learn more about your children’s ADD diagnosis and learning problems. You know what is best for your children. Unlike Ball, I trust you to make the best decisions.

TerryB,

I have been here for several months but I have not read all the posts maybe that is why I saw nothing offensive. I really can’t see how one person has so much power to make other behave just as badly.

Doctors of chiropractic were nearly eraddicated by the medical establishment in a campaign to discredit us so there is no love lost between us and MDs. What there is is a shaky truce.

What I can say on the ADHD issue is that there is no way I would ever give a child stimulants. I doubt if an MD would ever give his own children stimulants either.

I would reccomend that you seek the advice of a chiropractic neurologist. There may be some benifit to cranial therapy. Few DCs do it but it’s effectiveness is well documented.

I think that hypothyroidism is another contra-indication for the use of stimulants.

I will not advise anyone here about medical treatment other to say get second and third opinions and learn all you can. Like I said before, I would not use stimulants on any children ever, but that’s me.

Thanks for a new angle to research! Terry

These are the kinds of remarks HE/SHE makes to parents looking for help.

It is extremely offensive, does that show maturity and respect for other people?

I believe we have another masquerade going on here. Now posing as a medical authority.

I thought so too, but I didn’t want to appear “paranoid” Perhaps we should all just stop posting for awhile until the multi-personality entity gets the message that we are fed up with his inuendos and insulting remarks.

I guess this was purged? I tried looking at it and it’s gone…?

I read with interest everything I can on non-med treatments for ADD. I am currently using diet and exercise along with non-amphet meds with great results. When I remove any one of the three therapies his symptoms worsen.. I hope that by treating my son’s ADD in by nonmed ways, it will help him be med free as an adult. I hope he will find a life, after his education is complete, where there will be many holes for his many shaped pegs.

Though I have never found chiropractors to help even backs and neck problems, I try to be open minded about ADD and what can help it. I tried researching Chiropractic therapy for ADD only to come up with sales pitches, ads that spent more time putting down meds more than promoting the therapy itself, and mostly scam-ish sites built with scaremonger tactics. The only valid looking sites I found with opinions on this were very reputable sites and people debunking the therapy. Most were Chiropractors themselves who were ashamed of fellow members of their profession making these claims. I think we should all be openminded in our attempts to find non-med ways to treat our kids. But we have to be careful, too. People are seriously injured by chiropractors all the time. After thinking it over, I feel it would be a very foolish and risky thing, to mess with a childs back, when there is clearly nothing wrong with it. Many of these guys don’t know what they are doing even with genuine back problems. They have no neurological training or certification. They can’t even perscribe meds. I’d sooner go to a psychic or a witch doctor. At least they wouldn’t be messing with his spine, the very foundation of his physical structure. Please be careful and investigate all therapies. Diet and exercise are a healthy way to go. It is usually very effective and a great way to assist “lesser” meds or use lower doses of meds. Even if it doesn’t work for the ADD, you lose nothing and your child gains a better well being anyway. Unlike meds, the long term effects of a healthy diet and exercise are well documented.

Rebel Mom,

You have made some very extarordinary statements and claims. Would you care to provide some proof. I would love to see some.

For the treatment of back problems chiropractic is been proven to be the most effective, safest and cost effective. It is also well proven that spinal subluxations are the cause of many health problems. People being harmed by chiropractic manipulation is extremely rare.

When was the last time you heard of a DC being sued for malpractice?

Rebelmom, I love your straight-shooter responses. I was one of those unfortunate kids that had to go for weekly adjustments when nothing was wrong. Chiropractors have really helped me get out of acute back pain as an adult so I have a lot of respect for that aspect of the profession. I had no idea that they were branching out into specialties until Mary’s posts. I, like you, tend to be skeptical of alternative medicine. I am more oriented toward seeing large and repeatable clinical studies. There are always scam artists out there. If I were desperate enough to try something that sounded totally wacky I’d at least make sure that it wasn’t harmful.

Do you have ADHD? I finally figured out that most of my husbands family has undiagnosed ADHD. Why? Because they are so high IQ and insightful that when they blurt out an impulsive opinion they are almost always correct. If they are incorrect (rarely) they quickly retract their original statements in a very polite and respectful way. I always admired the quick and accurate zinger.

Back to the Chirotherapy issue. Eventually I’ll look into it as well but it sounds questionable. Right now, I’m making sure that there are no health problems causing ADHD symptoms in my daughter. Now, I feel a little lonely in this matter. I’m not sure why my pediatrician doesn’t seem to be interested in ruling out other possibilities. Even if some condition is not the cause but a contributing factor, I’d like to figure that out. Oh well, I’m babbling now.

What kind of diet are you using? We eat low fat and low sodium now. No red meat. By the way, this healthy diet puts us at risk for low iodine levels which is essential for proper thyroid functions. And, guess what hypothyroidism can look like???? Yes, of course, ADHD. Shouldn’t all kids with ADHD have blood work for thyroid hormone levels????? These are all the dumb questions that are running through my head.

Hope you don’t get too much heat for your letter. I know your heart is in the right place. Terry

Sorry to hear that but like I said before I saw nothing objectionable. However like you said I must not have seen it.

You know as well as I do that there are some less than qualified parents out there. We see them often.

Ball was accusing people of bad parenting?

I really see some of these responses as over-reaction. Apparently Ball really struck a nerve. Hmm

Thanks Terry,
I tried to write my post carefully, I can see there are a lot of people on guard. I wish they had smileys to soften some of my sentences. I never met anyone this therapy worked for and as I said, I cannot find any good reputable info or study on this. If it works so great and would make them so much money, why doesn’t the chiro industry do a study on this? Guess why? Granted, I can’t find any info on exercise either, and I know that works, but I also know exercise is free and no one could make money off of it for long. I have RA and my RA doctor thinks the whole practice of chiropractics could be replcaed by massuesses (sp? massagers). My husband has a back problem come and go, the chiro helped maybe 1 out of 4-5 times. It’s not my idea of science, not with those results, but I know some people who swear by them, just not as many who swear at them.

Out diet is very simple; no artificial food colors. Found out by accident. My younger nonADD son was breaking out in hives. Took months to find out it was food colors, but we eliminated them and big brother dropped most of his impulsive behaviors. I have heard of great success with eliminating dairy, presevatives, sugar, caffiene. None of this made a difference for my son but I know it works for some.

I think this disorder is extremely omnipotent. The vastness of symptoms and effects of meds convinces me that this is caused by so many differnet things, thats why no one understands it. Thats why no two kids are exactly alike. I think there is a recipe out there for everyone. The chances of my recipe working for you is about 1 in a 100, maybe more. But I think if we tried everything we hear about (that is safe) and used simple process of elimination we might find we can help our kids, maybe not cure them, but lessen their symptoms, maybe enough to get them off meds, maybe just enogh to lessen them or go with a milder one. But there is some thing to holistic treatments, I just found it wasn’t quite enough. I’m not talking about expensive herbs or some fancy feingold diet you pay through the nose for. I think the best therapies can be found in life for free, or a mere pitance. Instead of some hyped up supplimental pills, try regular vitamins and enzymes and fish oil…etc… We are intellegent adults. Eliminate things from thier diets keep a journal of the changes. Keep what works, toss what doesn’t. I don’t go broke avoiding food colors by shopping in expensive healthfood stores. I just go blind reading lables. Instead of luckycharms I get Life. Instead of Gatoraid yellow, I get frost. Instead of tricks yogurt, I get stoney brook. It’s all right here in the super market. I admit, I have to travel far a pay a small fortune for candy without art. food colors, but that’s about it.

You might be interested in a place called the phiffer institue. They do a complete analysis of the child to determin deficiencies and imbalances. It takes days to do, they check hair folicals, blood, urine, stomach acid, you name it, they check it. I believe they have a website, but I’m not sure if I’m even spelling it right. Check it out. It sounds like what you are intersted in knowing.

Good luck.

I’m not the one who needs to prove anything.

I don’t usually post on this board since I’m not a parent, but I’ll often find reading the parents’ boards helpful. I personally think that it’s sad when people can’t express themselves with respect for one another. Bashing parents, teachers, or one another is never acceptable.

When people stop using the boards because of offensive posts, we all lose out.

Although I’m not a parent, I’m close to a child with ADHD and learning disabilities, have worked as a professional, and have ADHD and learning disabilities myself. I learn a lot from the boards and sometimes feel that I can be of help to others who are struggling with issues that I may have some knowledge about.

I have found some of the posts very offensive. I have tried to respond constructively to some of these posts, but have been quite discouraged. When I am struggling to deal with disabilities that have had a major impact on my life and the lives of others who I care about, I do not want to hear someone saying that the disabilities don’t exist. That’s like saying to someone who was raped that rape doesn’t exist, or telling someone who is a victim of prejudice that prejudice doesn’t exist.

Parents who are struggling to help their children and who are taking the time and putting forth the effort to log onto this site need to be supported. So do professionals, including teachers, who are making the effort to better understand their students.

People who interfere with the purposes of these bulletin boards should be banned from them, in the same way that people who pose a threat to society need to be removed from society. I do believe that perhaps a person who is posting offensively should be given an opportunity to change behavior before being banned. Perhaps a warning first might help the person to decide whether or not to continue a particular behavior.

Just as our children do not always understand why certain behavior is offensive, perhaps adults need to be given explanations before being banned. Then if the behavior continues, for the benefit of everybody, either a person should be banned or perhaps posts from particular people should be screened before being posted.

You are right Mary. The people (teachers and parents) who come to this board are just the defensive ones, the ones who don’t really care, the ones that are just all to happy to load up on the meds and forget it.

We don’t read or research. We just look for ways to excuse our poor parenting skills.

We can’t listen to the wisdom of you and Ball who just have so much to teach those of us who are just so ignorant.

Thanks so much for blessing us with your presence and helping us to understand the wisdom of Ball.

Excuse me while lose my cookies.

You don’t know the first thing about the people of this board or the person you are defending. You should read some more posts before you choose to post again.

LindaF,

I bet it would be a safe bet to assume you could play the lead in The Taming of the Shrew. The learned Dr. Odum comes hear and you act like a major league bitch. Are you jealous of Dr. Odum? It sure sounds like you are.

Maybe you should visit Dr. Odum and along with a spinal adjustment maybe she will give you an attitude adjustment because you need one.

In the mean time keep drugging your kids that you are screwing up and lose some weight and maybe you can find another sucker who will marry you.

I can tell by your attitude that you are fat. I know the type. Poodle hair, sweaty pasty looking tub of goo……yuk Eat some pie!

…said something like “adjustments” seemed to be recent in many people who just had strokes.

Here’s some info. followed by a response from the world chiropractic alliance saying nope. Go figure, right?

I’m not taking a stand - just thought it was topical based on what I heard this morning.
__________________________________________________________
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/5848835.htm

Study links stroke to neck adjustments
AUTHOR SAYS RISK LOW BUT WORTH CONSIDERING
By Barbara Feder Ostrov
Mercury News

The chiropractic neck manipulations that relieve headaches and other pain for millions of Americans can significantly increase the risk of a certain kind of stroke, according to a new study led by Bay Area neurologists.

Patients who suffered a type of stroke caused by a tear in a neck artery were six times more likely to have had their necks manipulated within 30 days before the stroke, researchers found.

The authors of the study, published in today’s issue of the journal Neurology, were careful not to exclusively target chiropractors, noting that neck manipulations are also performed by physical therapists, massage therapists and other professionals.

Still, chiropractors perform the vast majority of neck manipulations. As a result, researchers are warning patients to be cautious — and calling on providers to diligently inform clients of potential harm.

“People need to be aware that there’s a rare but measurable risk of stroke with these procedures,” said Dr. Wade Smith, the study’s lead author and a neurologist at the University of California-San Francisco. “If your neck pain gets suddenly worse or you have any neurological symptoms such as weakness, double vision, loss of sensory function or vertigo, it’s important to seek a medical evaluation right away.”

Chiropractors said they are aware of possible risks and work to avoid them. But the study is likely to renew debate over the safety of some chiropractic practices.
__________________________________________________________
Of course, the world chiropractic alliance feels differently:

http://worldchiropracticalliance.org/positions/strokestudies.htm

The Council on Chiropractic Practice concluded, “The panel found no competent evidence that specific chiropractic adjustments cause strokes.” (“Vertebral Subluxation in Chiropractic Practice. Council on Chiropractic Practice Clinical Practice Guideline No. 1.” 1998.)

I doubt it owuld be possible to visit Dr. Odum because she is a figment of your imagination. She is not listed on a comprehensive data base of all the chiropractors in the United States. Just another one of your imaginary pals, Ball.

You have issues with bad parents, so talk to your Mom and Dad and tell them that they were lousy parents that did whatever you’re mad at them about. Tell them that you blame them for the way you turned out and that they ruined your life. We’re not your parents. Your beef isn’t with us; your beef is with them. Sit’em down and let ‘em have it right between the eyes if you really need to do that. But consider, you’re an adult now. You can get your own butt in for psychiatric help. You don’t need Mommy and Daddy to take you by the hand. Grow up and get a life.

You said that so beautifully. I hope you read the posts where other boards are mentioned and that us parents can benefit from your experiences there. I’m done reporting problems only to have the same trash come right back, so I’m moving on too. The board probably should be shut down until such time as there is a commitment by LDOnline to maintaining a quality board. Allowing Ball’s posts to continue is serving no one, and may actually harm someone with offensive misinformation.

This can happen, it happened to my godmother several years ago. She no longer gets adjusted but….she has headaches that he used to be able to get rid of. We have tough choices to make on all fronts. To adjust to not to adjust….to medicate or not to medicate……

Your grammar sucks but I don’t find Ball’s posts offensive. Hard science does not offend me but your ignorance does.

Giving kids dangerous drugs for a made up illness is extremely offensive. Ball is right and you can’t deal with it.

.

As I have previously stated, the commencement and increase of this kind of grotesque, maniacal violence in our schools is date coincident with the introduction and use of mind-altering drugs by our children.These graphs show the alarming increase in the production of Ritalin from 1985 to 1995 as well as the number of ADD/ADHD diagnoses from 1988 to 1997. Bearing these in mind, consider the events of the last two years alone:

1. On May 25, 1997, 18-year-old Jeremy Strohmeyer raped and murdered a 7-year-old African American girl in Las Vegas, Nevada. Strohmeyer had been diagnosed with ADD and prescribed Dexedrine, a Ritalin-like drug, immediately prior to the killing.

2. On October 1st, 1997, in Pearl Mississippi, 16-year-old Luke Woodham stabbed his mother, 50-year-old Mary Woodam, to death and then went to his high school where he shot nine people - killing two teenage girls and wounding seven others. Published reports say he was on Prozac.

3. Exactly two months later on Dec 1, 1997, Michael Carneal, a 14-year-old, opened fire on students at a high school prayer meeting in West Paducah, Kentucky. Three teenagers were killed, five others were wounded, one of whom was paralyzed. Carneal was reportedly on Ritalin.

4. Then in February, 1998 a young man in Huntsville, Alabama, while on Ritalin went psychotic - chopping up his parents with an ax and also killing one sibling and almost murdering another.

5. On March 24, 1998 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, 11-year-old Andrew Golden and 14-year-old Mitchell Johnson shot 15 people killing four students, one teacher, and wounding 10 others. According to one report, the boys were believed to be on Ritilan.

6. Two months later another grisly school massacre occurred. On May 21, 1998 15-year-old Kip Kinkel of Springfield, Oregon murdered his parents and proceeded to his high school where he went on a rampage killing two students and wounding 22 others. Kinkel had been prescribed both Prozac and Ritalin.

7. On April 16th, 1999, 15-year-old Shawn Cooper of Notus, Idaho took a 12-guage shot gun to school and started firing, injuring one student and holding the school hostage for about 20 minutes. Terrified students ran for their lives, some barricading themselves in classrooms. Cooper had been taking Ritalin when he fired the shotgun’s rounds.

8. The incident in Idaho did not make the national press (no one, thank God, was killed). But all that changed four days later when 18-year-old Eric Harris killed 12 students and a teacher at Columbine High School before killing himself. Harris was on one of the SSRI anti-depressants called Luvox.

9. One month later to the day, on May 20th of this year TJ Solomon, a 15-year-old high school student in Conyers, Georgia, while on Ritalin opened fire on and wounded six of his classmates. Thankfully, none were killed.

10. Then there’s 14-year-old Rod Mathews who had been prescribed Ritalin since the third grade and beat a classmate to death with a bat.

And 19-year-old James Wilson who had been on psychiatric drugs for 5 years and took a .22 caliber revolver into an elementary school in Greenwood, South Carolina killing two young girls, and wounding seven other children and two teachers!

.

Study of stimulant therapy raises concerns
Bruce Bower

The first long-term effort to track stimulant therapy in a large population of children has generated disturbing results. In particular, the North Carolina–based study finds that most 9-to-16-year-olds receiving Ritalin or other stimulants don’t exhibit attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the only condition for which such drugs are approved.

More encouraging, about 3 of 4 kids who were diagnosed with ADHD on the basis of parents’ behavioral reports received stimulants, says a team led by psychiatric epidemiologist Adrian Angold of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. Youngsters with ADHD often benefit from these medications, especially if also given behavioral training (SN: 12/18&25/99, p. 388: http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc99/12_18_99/fob1.htm). Still, more than half of all stimulant users in the study fell short of even a relaxed definition of ADHD.

Children prescribed a stimulant typically took it for more than 3 years, regardless of their psychiatric status, the researchers note. Stimulant treatment helped kids with ADHD but had no effect on parent-reported symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity that didn’t qualify as ADHD. However, children taking these drugs proved more likely than the others to exhibit muscle tics, a side effect of prolonged stimulant use.

The prevalence of stimulant treatment among all the children doubled over 4 years to nearly 10 percent, supporting other evidence from medical databases of rises in numbers of stimulant prescriptions. “Our findings [also] suggest that current treatment practice in the community is far from optimal,” the researchers contend in the August Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

“The system for the treatment of ADHD among children and adolescents is broken,” comments psychiatrist Kelly Kelleher of the University of Pittsburgh.

Angold’s team recruited 1,422 children, ages 9 to 13, from public schools in largely rural parts of western North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains. Annual psychiatric interviews with children and collection of data from parents occurred from 1992 to 1996. By then, data were available for participants up to age 16.

Ninety-two of the children displayed ADHD, the scientists say. Another 63 kids met criteria for a less severe version of the disorder. Of the 168 children receiving stimulants during the study, one-third had full-blown ADHD and fewer than one-tenth exhibited the milder form.

That leaves more than half of the stimulant-treated kids as never having had ADHD. Many children not treated with stimulants had as many or more ADHD symptoms as those who took the medication but didn’t have ADHD.

Among those with ADHD, a much larger proportion of boys and 9- to 12-year-old children received stimulants than did girls and older children. The latter two groups may get too little stimulant treatment, the researchers suggest.

Stimulant treatment of children without ADHD occurred half as often among children living in poor households as among those in families above the federal poverty line.

In the same journal, Peter S. Jensen, a psychiatrist at Columbia University, calls the new study “a masterful achievement.” Nonetheless, by relying only on parent reports and not teacher ratings, Angold’s group probably underestimated ADHD rates, Jensen holds. He’s concerned that many children with ADHD get either no or inadequate stimulant treatment (SN: 8/7/99, p. 90).

Evidence of extensive stimulant treatment among children who don’t have ADHD is “surprising and perplexing,” remarks psychiatrist Benedetto Vitiello of the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Md. Researchers should do larger studies of kids in different communities to probe this issue, he says.

Wow! I can’t believe all the hostility here on this thread. I am also getting the impression that this is a pro drug board.

I am not anti drugging but I think that the level of drugging in this country is more than a bit out of line.

It is sad that the other side of the story isn’t allowed here.