Desperate Words

To anyone who can help us,

What is wrong with my child? It wasn’t meant to be this way…My child disrupts our home, can’t sit still, can’t pay attention, does poorly in school, and is rude, angry and sometimes even aggressive. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I don’t want my child to fail. I want to beam with pride over report cards. I wish to be the mom who sits in the audience and applauds loudly for my son in school awards programs. I want car trips to be peaceful and fun. I long to play with my child. I am scared. I am afraid that he will get worse, or even hurt someone. The school wants my child medicated. Our family doctor agrees. I don’t want my child labeled ADD/ADHD. I don’t want him labeled as a troublemaker or learning impaired. I think that these labels will follow him through school and maybe even limit his career choices. It breaks my heart to think that this label will rob us of many opportunities. DOES IT HAVE TO BE THIS WAY? Is there another way? Why are so many children taking this medication? When I was young, nobody took it. We got along just fine. I do not want to do the wrong thing, but our life and our home are so difficult. I need help. Is there any alternative that can help us?

We hear this mother’s pain and fear. We believe that she has boldly and honestly stated her truest fears and pain. Sadly, we believe that her fears are very justified. Even worse, we know that millions of parents are finding themselves in the same position every day. Perhaps we can offer some hope. Please consider the following information:

  1. While there may be perceived short-term relief from choosing to medicate, there are very real risks associated with stimulant medications used to treat ADD/ADHD. According to Reuters, Adderall XR was removed from the market in Canada in February 2005 as a result of 20 reported cases of SUDDEN DEATH. According to Dr. Peter Breggin, MD in his book the Ritalin Fact Book – What your Doctor won’t tell you about ADHD and Stimulant Drugs, Ritalin and other stimulants used to treat ADD/ADHD are a “chemical lobotomy”. He says that children become obsessive compulsive and are extremely vulnerable to depression as a direct consequence of the drugs interaction with the brain. He also says that their emotional and educational growth is suspended as a result of taking the drugs. Dr. Breggin paints a picture that suggests that the predicted course of treatment for many of these children does not stop with Ritalin. Many children are later placed on antidepressants, and many other psychiatric drugs in their journey through drug-oriented treatment process. The formative years are lost to these children. They are unable to gain the social, emotional, and educational opportunities in our effort to make them be still, wait their turn, and finish their homework. The long-term consequences of choosing to medicate need to be carefully considered with all of the facts fully disclosed.
  2. Be realistic about expectations. It is a child’s job to interface with their environment in order to learn. This is a survival instinct. It is because of these behaviors that mankind has evolved to this point. If children did not learn about their environment, the species would have become extinct many thousands of years ago. Children accomplish this act through the use of their senses. They use touch, smell, taste, look at, and listen to clues from their surroundings in order to find out how the world works. Not all children are alike. Some children have a greater need to be out of doors and play. Some are content to sit and read. In either case, the child is learning how life works for them. Being enthusiastic and wanting praise by blurting out answers, seemingly being unable to wait their turn shows that a child is learning self-discipline. The enthusiasm will be met with some response giving them clues about their environment. Many adults still struggle with self-discipline in being unable to quit smoking, or in losing weight. Self-discipline is a learned behavior that develops with time and maturity. Perhaps we are expecting all children to be easily maintained in day cares, classrooms, car seats and other restraining mechanisms without being realistic about their true nature and needs.
  3. Consider all information: Are there other reasons that can cause the child’s behavior? Is the classroom overcrowded? Is the child mature enough for this environment? Has the child been exposed to toxic chemicals? Recent new reports indicate that there is a correlation between lead poisoning and aggressive, even criminal behavior. Is the child demonstrating a food allergy? Carol Simontacchi in her MUST READ book – The Crazy Makers – How the Food Industry is Destroying our Brains and Harming Our Children reveals that the most common sources of food available to children in the Standard American Diet (coincidently called SAD) cannot support healthy brain function. She says that the lack of brain food in children’s diets predictably causes ADD/ADHD. In order that a child grow, learn, develop the skills necessary to become a well functioning adult, they must have access to a diet rich in omega 3 fish oils, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. Exposure to food additives such as MSG, salt, aspartame and others cause many of the health concerns we are seeing in children today. It is certain that no child has a deficiency of a stimulant drug in their brain, but may very well be poisoned or is deficient in an essential nutrient. Carefully consider all of the facts as your child’s formative years are at stake.
  4. Become educated. Read all you can about ADD/ADHD. Join support groups. The decision you make today may affect the rest of your life. Make this decision the best one you can. Don’t be alone in your search, and certainly do not be bullied into a decision that you and your family will have to live with.
  5. Explore alternatives. There ARE alternative treatments for ADD/ADHD that have been clinically tested effective. Biofeedback, homeopathy, holistic diets, Tai Chi, Emotional Freedom Techniques®, hypnosis, and many other treatments have drastically improved the lives of many families. These treatments are safe, non-toxic, and much more specific to a child’s needs. ADD/ADHD is a non-verifiable disease that is associated with vague symptoms. There is no blood test that can determine how each child behaves. One size does not fit all. One diet does not fit all. One homeopathic remedy does not fit all. Choose an alternative that fits your family’s needs. Natural Holistic Health strongly recommends Judyth Reichenburg-Ullman and Robert Ullman’s book Ritalin Free Kids – Safe and Effective Homeopathic Medicine for ADHD and Other Behavioral and Learning Problems.

Our children are our future. The time of childhood passes quickly and serves a very specific need. The quality of every child’s learning years depends on us. Let us serve them well so that they might grow into the amazing individuals that we dream of.

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