JANE KELLEY was thinking about Ritalin               1/2 and keyed into 
cyberspace:
JK>My daughter adopted a girl who has had a recognized seizure disorder
JK>for some years.  The local school keeps trying to play doctor and
JK>insist that she be given Ritalin.  They even have some test they say
JK>will show the need for this drug.
Schools should not diagnose. They should teach.
JK>For those who give a damn, the following:
JK>"DEA Press Release", October 20, 1995 on Methylphenidate (Ritalin) at
JK>http:://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr951020.htm.
Note: this report is political, and not medical.
JK>"Abuse of MPH can lead to marked tolerance and severe psychic
JK>dependence."
Proper use of MPH can lead to a successful life.
JK>"MPH is abused by diverse segments of the population, from health
JK>care professions and children to street addicts."
Ditto.
JK>"In 1994, a national high school survey (Monitoring the Future)
JK>indicated that more seniors in the U.S. abuse Ritalin than are
JK>prescribed Ritalin legitimately."
Interesting study. It had an accuracy rating of +/- 20%. 
JK>"The U.S. manufactures and consumes 5-times more MPH than the rest of
JK>the world combined."
So what? Perhaps we in the US knows what we are doing and we are 
properly treating our citizens.
JK>"Every indicator available, including scientific abuse liability
JK>studies, actual abuse, paucity of scientific studies on possible
JK>adverse effects associated with long=term use of stimulants,
JK>divergent prescribing practices of U.S. physicians, and lack of
JK>concurrent medical treatment and follow-up, urge greater caution and
JK>more restrictive use of MPH."
Usual DEA hogwash.
JK>"The Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, Vol 10(2) 1995, pp.
JK>55-72,   "The Hazards of Treating 'Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
JK>Disorder" with Methylphenidate (Ritalin" by Peter R. Breggin, M.D.,
JK>and Ginger Ross Breggin.  http://www.breggin.com/methylphen.html
Breggin claims that ADHD does not exist. His wife is a Scientologist. 
Hardly objective sources.
JK>"Few mental health professionals can recite the American Psychiatric
JK>Association diagnostic criteria as delineated in the Diagnostic and
JK>Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) (American
JK>Psychiatric Association, 1994), even for the diagnoses they routinely
JK>use.  But the diagnostic standards are important in setting clinical
JK>and research trends.  Their existence creates a strong, if
JK>potentially misleading, impression of validity for psychiatric
JK>diagnosing in general, as well as for the individual diagnostic
JK>categories.  The prescription of medication to children, for example,
JK>is largely justified on the basis of these diagnoses.
Breggin BALONEY! 
JK>The existence of the diagnoses also influences how millions of
JK>parents and teachers view the children in their care.  Most teachers
JK>and many parents of young people have heard of "hyperactivity" and,
JK>more specifically, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
JK>Many non-mental health professionals believe they can diagnose it."
So, they are wrong.
JK>WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY KIDS BEING WRONGLY LABELED
JK>TODAY IN THIS NATION AND STUFFED FULL OF DRUGS DUE TO BOTH LOUSY
JK>MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS AND EQUALLY LOUSY SCHOOLS!!!!
Bull.
JK>Breggin further states:  "In my clinical experience, most so-called
JK>ADHD children are not receiving sufficient attention from their
JK>fathers who are separated from the family, too preoccupied with work
JK>and other things, or otherwise impaired in their ability to parent.
JK>In many cases the appropriate diagnosis is Dad Attention Deficit
JK>Disorder. 
Citing Breggin in an ADHD group is like citing Hitler in Jerusalem.
JK>The "cure" for these children is more rational and loving attention
JK>from their dads.  Young people are nowadays so hungry for the
JK>attention of a father that it can come from any male adult.
(Continued next message...)
               The Few. The Proud. The Chosen.
                     markprobe@aol.com
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 * CMPQwk #1.4 * UNREGISTERED EVALUATION COPY
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