| There was a time when children who exhibited | | | | medicated for ADHD and wondered what else was |
| hyperactivity, inattention and disinterest in school were | | | | going on in the Australian school system to warrant |
| not labeled with ADD, (Attention Deficit Disorder) or | | | | such protocol. |
| ADHD, (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). The | | | | A new study by the National Institute of Health, first |
| diagnosis of ADD and ADHD began in the 60s and | | | | appearing in the August issue of the Journal of the |
| became more commonplace in the 70s, 80s and 90s. | | | | American Academy of Child and Adolescent |
| Ritalin, first used to combat depression and narcolepsy, | | | | Psychiatry describes how Researchers randomly |
| was one of the first drugs prescribed for ADD/ADHD | | | | assigned four types of treatment to 600 children ages |
| beginning in the 1960s. It seems apparent to many that | | | | 6 to 9 years. One group received prescription drugs |
| professionals are quick to label kids with the disorder. | | | | from ADHD specialists. The second received drugs in |
| There has always been much controversy around the | | | | combination with behavioral therapy. The third group |
| diagnosis. Most physicians and health care | | | | received drugs from their family doctors, the last group |
| professionals believe that symptoms are usually the | | | | received only therapy. After over a year of treatment, |
| result of a problem with brain chemistry, although head | | | | the first two groups showed the most improvement. |
| trauma and other causes can mimic ADD/ADHD. The | | | | Nevertheless, after three years, all four groups |
| use of prescription drugs for the disorder has more | | | | showed similar improvements, and the early |
| than tripled worldwide since 1993. | | | | advantage shown in the medicated groups seemed to |
| Concern over the sometimes serious side-effects of | | | | have diminished. |
| drugs has led many to question whether or not drugs | | | | More natural treatments for the disorder have indeed |
| are the best treatment option while still others question | | | | shown effectiveness. Fish oils, high in Omega 3 and 6 |
| the validity of the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD in so many | | | | fatty acids, the removal of processed foods and sugar |
| cases. A recent article in Australia's on line magazine; | | | | from the diet, behavioral training programs and other |
| TheWest, cited Joe Kosterich, an Australian GP, who | | | | treatments have reduced ADHD symptoms in many |
| suggested that many children are unnecessarily being | | | | children. Contrast that with the fact that a record |
| given prescriptions for ADHD when, in fact, many | | | | number of kids who started taking prescription |
| could just be going through delayed development or | | | | medications in elementary and high school for ADD |
| missing out on essential nutrients or omega-3 fatty | | | | ADHD are still taking the same or similar drugs on into |
| acids in their diet. Dr Kosterich expressed concern | | | | their 20s and even 30s. |
| about the recent explosion in kids being diagnosed and | | | | |