3 Million Kids on ADD/ADHD Drugs: Not a Long-Term Solution

Ritalin and ADD/ADHD have become so closely with each other that to mention the one is to imply the other. Indeed, at the end of last year, a mild panic arose over a shortage of drugs like Ritalin and Adderall. Three million children now take such medications, a 20-fold increase in the past 30 years. L. Alan Sroufe, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, says that the use of drugs in the name of helping children with attention issues is a case of “Ritalin gone wrong.” In a New York Times op-ed, Sroufe argues that, based on his 40 years of studying the development of “troubled children,” the drugs are not effective in the long-term. Our overuse of them is a sign of insufficiently understanding what ADD is and of not taking enough into account how experiences in early childhood can affect children’s development.

3 Million Kids on ADD/ADHD Drugs: Not a Long-Term Solution

Editorial, 1/27: Foster kids on psych drugs

Sen. Gwen Howard wants a task force to examine why more than one in five foster children in Nebraska is taking psychiatric medication.

Editorial, 1/27: Foster kids on psych drugs

Senate Watchdog Targets High-Prescribing Medicaid Docs

An influential U.S. senator is grilling officials in nearly three-dozen states, demanding to know how they are cracking down on physicians who prescribe massive amounts of potentially dangerous prescription drugs.

Senate Watchdog Targets High-Prescribing Medicaid Docs

NC now looking to scrutinize how Medicaid dispensed to children

In the grocery store, a child goes through the produce isle picking up items and biting into them. When mom tries to stop him, he takes a bite out of her. Meanwhile, the child has managed to get the attention of shoppers and workers alike.

NC now looking to scrutinize how Medicaid dispensed to children

U.S. to tell drugmakers to disclose payments to doctors

To head off medical conflicts of interest, the Obama administration is poised to require drug companies to disclose the payments they make to doctors for research, consulting, speaking, travel and entertainment.

U.S. to tell drugmakers to disclose payments to doctors

Antidepressants during pregnancy could cause hypertension in lungs of child

SSRIs were recently reported of being unable to treat depressive symptoms satisfactorily. This study by scientists at Karolinska Institutet has put forward that SSRI anti- depressants consumed during pregnancy could lead to high blood pressure in the lungs of children.

Antidepressants during pregnancy could cause hypertension in lungs of child

ABC NEWS - DAY 2: -- Psychiatrists Put Kids at Risk With Mind-Altering Drugs

Patients Frustrated by Shortage of ADHD Drugs

FDA: Shortage of ADHD Drug

The FDA is limiting production of Adderal to curb cases of abuse, but now patients are complaining that they cannot find pharmacies to fill their prescriptions.

Diabetic, Low Income Mothers Linked to Children With Higher ADHD Risk

Diabetic, Low Income Mothers Linked to Children With Higher ADHD Risk

A new study has found gestational diabetes or low social economic status doubled the risk for children developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and collectively increases the risk of 14-fold.

Why are we drugging our children?

Hon. Alannah MacTiernan was first elected to WA State Parliament in 1993 as Member of the Legislative Council and in 1996 as the member for Armadale in the Legislative Assembly. Alannah served as WA Minister for Planning and Infrastructure from 2001- 2008. Alannah officially resigned from state parliament on 19 July 2010 and is the currently the Mayor of the city of Vincent in Western Australia.

Mind-altering drugs overdone in foster care

A government report says thousands of Medicaid patients in foster care are routinely overprescribed psychotropic and psychotic drugs.

Mind-altering drugs overdone in foster care