Quote:
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
Maybe we can use this as a start:
|
Thank you. That's all I ever asked.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
|
From the report:
Quote:
|
The data shows that there has been a 1,000 percent increase in drug abuse injury reports involving methylphenidate for children in the 10 to 14 age group.
|
This, along with the 500% increase in the prescribing of Ritalin between 1990 and 1996 seem to be the case being made to support the conclusion that Ritalin was being over prescribed. While I recognize that this could be evidence, it seems a bit circumstantial. The report also mentions the annual profits of the drug, but again is alleging a causal relationship without demonstrating it. They could be 100% right, but that's not demonstrated. It would be better to do a study on kids taking Ritalin to find if they all have ADHD, specifically if the drug is having the desired effect.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
|
From the article:
Quote:
It is estimated that, at most, only 3-5% of school age children can clinically be classified as having ADHD.
"It's hard to believe this many children have the specific brain-related problem called ADHD," stated Dr. LeFever, an assistant professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the Center for Pediatric Research.
|
That's just it, though, the 3-5% estimation is an estimation. Again, I'm not saying it's wrong, just that it shouldn't be taken as the only evidence necessary. This is disconcerting, though:
Quote:
|
According to Peter R. Breggin, M.D., director of the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology and associate faculty at The Johns Hopkins University Department of Counseling, "Ritalin does not correct biochemical imbalances -- it causes them."
|
That's a very bold statement. Certainly if prescribed to the wrong person Ritalin can cause problems, and there's certainly evidence that Ritalin has side effects, but Dr. Breggin is essentially saying that Ritalin has never helped to correct biochemical imbalances.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
|
This seems to be the same thing as the first report. The only explanation for the sudden increase in prescribing Ritalin is abuse? And this, wow:
Quote:
|
ADHD exists as a disorder primarily because a committee of psychiatrists voted it so. In a valiant effort, they squeezed a laundry list of disparate symptoms into a neat package that can be handled and treated.
|
Holy crap, so now ADHD isn't even real? I'm sure this will be followed by a strong argument:
Quote:
|
Why not bestow disorderhood on other problems common to people diagnosed with ADHD, such as Easily Frustrated Disorder (EFD) or Nothing Makes Me Happy Disorder (NMMHD)?
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
|
Sharp rise in use, yes. I'm not disagreeing with that.
I'm not being glib and I'm not trying to be contrary. I'm concerned that the efforts of Scientology in the 80s and 90s have worked, shifting public opinion on the issue of drug prescriptions, especially Ritalin. Skepticism of Ritalin is fine, just make sure that it's warranted.