Dear Sir,
It was with some interest that I read the article What You Should Know About Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward W. after having it handed to me by a member of our church. There were elements of the article that were insightful, helpful, and needed to be said in a public forum, especially the discussion of the moral and spiritual dimensions of behavior. For this part of the article I applaud Mr. W.
However, Mr. W's discussion on the physiological/biological aspects of ADD ADHD was lacking to the point of being misleading to the readers. I am sure that Mr. Welch had no intention of misleading any readers, as that would hardly reflect the "biblical guidelines with which to understand ADD" that he seeks to communicate. Therefore, for the sake of clarifying some details, may I present the following evidence. Perhaps in the near future you would run an article that would present some of this information to your readers, so that they have an accurate understanding of the disorder.
We continue the dialogue here in part five, Mr. W turns his attention to medications used to treat ADHD. He writes,
"That a stimulant drug would help some children focus seems paradoxical. You would expect that children would be even more physically and mentally excitable when taking it."
First, the effects of Ritalin, or any stimulant including caffeine, are not "paradoxical" in ADHD individuals. They are predictable. And they are effective.
Two significant contributors to ADHD are a lack of dopamine, or an effective lack of dopamine, in the frontal lobes, and a restriction of blood flow in the frontal lobes. Research supports this.
Stimulants, from caffeine to Ritalin, are known to do two things well: increase blood flow, and increase dopamine levels in the brain. Therefore it is not paradoxical at all. One would expect that stimulants would increase performance for individuals with this condition, and they do in about 75% to 80% of the cases.
"One thing, however, is clear. Ritalin does not treat any known chemical deficiency in a child's brain."
What research supports this position? Why is this "clear?"
Ritalin does in fact "treat known chemical (deficiencies) in a child's brain." It does in fact increase the utilization of dopamine. This action and benefit is similar to other medications, such as antidepressants, used treat other known brain chemical deficiencies such as a lack of serotonin.
While it is true that stimulants to not "fix" the condition, this does not take away from its usefulness. Insulin does not "fix" diabetes either. But in the short-term, stimulants, like Insulin, works to "normalize" or at least "improve" the situation. To say that stimulants "are not a cure" is true. Insulin is not a "cure" either. But both are helpful.
Thank you for your time in considering this perspective.
This is the end to part five of this discussion. You can learn more about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by visiting the ADHD Information Library's family of web sites, beginning with http://www.add101.com.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.add101.com, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport carMany parenting books advise against eating out with young children.... Read More
In the last 20 years we've all been introduced to... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
Despite the potentially dangerous side-effects of Ritalin, public school authorities... Read More
"Walk through any toy store and you will see walls... Read More
It was no contest. Given a choice between a ball... Read More
I WAS AMAZEDI could hardly believe what I was hearing.... Read More
Parents want their children to succeed in school. However, sometimes... Read More
One of parents' most important duties is to protect their... Read More
What one word best sums up summer fun? Water. I... Read More
1. Diapers (5 -7 is a fairly safe supply)2. Wipes3.... Read More
Part of the responsibility of being a father is to... Read More
As Mother's Day approaches I would like to give a... Read More
All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More
When it's time to put your child into a daycare... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comParents ? Minimize Homework Hassles?It's... Read More
Ritalin is a good medication with a bad reputation. Its... Read More
The wonderful adaptability of children in dealing with the challenges... Read More
Giving advice to a teenager is very easy; getting a... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More
They Spur Members To Grow EmotionallyTatiana Tannenbaum grappled with a... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
"I could have helped you if I would have known,... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More
College is one of the largest expenses through the course... Read More
Like anything else in life, there's a method to the... Read More
There are moments in a parent's or grandparent's life, when... Read More
I have been a single mom for almost 20 years.... Read More
Although many parents are concerned with our children's intelligence quotient... Read More
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More
21 Reasons I Love Being A DadWhat you will read... Read More
Fizzy sherbet in a paper bag with a strawberry lollipop... Read More
Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More
Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More
Last week in my newsletter, I mentioned that... Read More
The hot new reality TV show "Nanny 911" has been... Read More
Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising... Read More
Although nothing anybody says can ever completely prepare a woman... Read More
1 - Forgive even if you will never be able... Read More
Many parenting books advise against eating out with young children.... Read More
A while ago I received this story from David in... Read More
Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More
Do you think you really know your child? I don't... Read More
Imagine yourself lying flat on your back, totally strapped down... Read More
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still... Read More
We adopted our first child when he was three months... Read More
Parenting |