eCureMe logo
  eCureMe home eCureMe log In Sign Up!
eCureMe Life : Your Healthy Living. Click Here!
Welcome, eCureMe.com medical contents search May 9, 2013
       eCureMe Life
       Medical Supplies
       Calorie Count
       Self-Diagnosis
       Physician Search
       Message Board
      E-mail Doctor
      E-mail Veterinarian
      Self-Diagnosis
      Health-O-Matic Meter
      Calorie Count
      Natural Medicine
      Vitamins & Minerals
      Alternative Living
      My Health Chart
      Diseases & Treatments
      Atlas of Diseases
      Sexually Transmitted
      Diseases
      Drug Information
      Illegal Drugs
      Lab & Diagnostic Tests
      Internal Medicine
      Women’s Health
      Pediatrics
      Eye Disorders
      Skin Disorders
      Headache
      Mental Health
      Radiology
      Neurology
      Allergy
      Resource Links
      Physician Directory
      Dentist Directory
      Hospital Directory




Ritalin



I am worried about my son taking Ritalin for long too long. Can it do him permanent harm?


Try integrating biofeedback into his regime, along with behavior modification, and see if it's possible to wean him off Ritalin.




My 9-year-old son has been taking Ritalin from a pediatric psychoneurologist ever since his first year in elementary school when he was diagnosed as having (AD/HD) Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. I was relieved at first when his hyperactive symptoms decreased and his behavior at school improved. I am worried lately, though, as his medicine was gradually increased over the last three years, and his side effects have become more pronounced. He doesn't sleep well, he's lost his appetite, and he is underweight for his height and age. I've been told that if he stops the medicine, all of his AD/HD problems will return. But it really worries me that continued use of the medication might do permanent damage to his health and brain development. Am I wrong? Is there an alternative?


Rightly or wrongly, AD/HD has commonly been treated with medications such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall, and others. Medicines such as these, which paradoxically speed up the brain and slow down hyperactivity, have rescued many parents troubled by their children's symptoms and difficult behavior, as well as frustrated teachers tired of trying to manage hyperactive (usually pugnacious) behavior in the classroom, not to mention untold numbers of AD/HD patients ashamed of themselves for acting abnormally.

Since AD/HD patients lack in attention, they have problems following instructions, are easily at a loss as to what to do, are unable to stay sitting, are unstable, and overactive. So rather than deal with their behavior in the classroom or at home, parents and educators grasped at any solution that offered them relief, whether it was good in the long run for the child or not.

The result was that many children with mild behavioral problems were needlessly medicated, and the ones with proven conditions received more and more medication. Such overmedication was eventually met with parental concern, such as yours. Be encouraged-there are a number of ways to treat AD/HD without using medication.

First, biofeedback can be quite effective in treating this condition. Essentially, it teaches the subject to alter various autonomic responses normally beyond the range of conscious control, such as heartbeat, breathing, sweating, etc. By watching one's EEG activity projected onto a computer monitoring screen, the subject finds himself increasing his own brain Beta waves, thereby suppressing slower Theta waves. The implication is that Theta waves are perceived by the brain as disturbing, and a stimulus to frenetic action. By learning to intervene in the nerve pathways of the brain and body, it is theorized that new brain ways are forged, circumventing the ones that expressed the symptoms of AD/HD.

Human brains are surprisingly adaptive, resilient organs, with nearly unlimited ability to learn new things. Starting at two years of age, children with AD/HD can benefit from biofeedback. If done correctly and precisely, the benefits can be permanent. Such cutting edge therapeutic techniques using computers have been touted as "the miracle of 21st century technology."

As a specialist in treating AD/HD with a great deal of experience, I can attest to the efficacy of biofeedback for treating this condition-completely eliminating the need for medication. What a joy for parents to get their children back undrugged, healthy, confident in their futures.

The other method of treatment without drugs is called behavior modification, which works extremely well in conjunction with biofeedback. It is particularly useful if administered after biofeedback, to retrain a child's behavior, after a long absence of the habit of self-control. Here is how it works.

Position AD/HD students in a quiet seat in the classroom, close to a model student who can help him without disturbing others. Allow him/her more time to finish school work and make certain that he/she understands exactly what is expected of them, by giving instructions in written form as well as in words spoken clearly and slowly, making eye contact. Divide the work into smaller, more manageable tasks; have them prepare a separate notebook for each assignment; assist them in organizing their assignments; provide an extra set of textbooks at home in safekeeping with the parents since they frequently lose books. Get them to record the assignment on a tape recorder for easy recall.

For those with hyperactive or impulsive behavior, reward or punish them immediately, using time-outs for wrong-doing; always praise them for good behavior; set a precise behavior code and stick to it; be consistent in meting out praise and making corrections; make it their habit to raise their hands when asking questions or answering; and from time to time let them do their studying standing up if they wish to (too hard for them to keep sitting long).

Students with AD/HD are often quite intelligent, but sadly if they are not recovered by puberty, they may suffer permanent damage, making it difficult for them to find themselves in life, professionally and personally. Give them a chance to make use of their abilities, like other children, through natural means.























medical contents search

Home   |   About Us   |   Contact Us   |   Employment Ad   |   Help

Terms and Conditions under which this service is provided to you. Read our Privacy Policy.
Copyright © 2002 - 2003 eCureMe, Inc All right reserved.