ADHD Is On The Rise. Who's Benefitting?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is on the rise. We've all heard of it, some of us have it and more than some of us have had some type of contact with it either through family members, co-workers etc. But it is time that we spread out all of the pieces of the ADHD puzzle on the table and take a close look because with any subject that becomes the 'flavor of the month' we tend to get ahead of ourselves.

According to Forbes magazine the Center For Disease Control claims that in 2011 8.8% of children were diagnosed with ADHD as compared with 7% in 2007. I don't necessarily challenge the statistic but my antennae get up with the 'diagnosis' word. Let's face it we are in a time in the U.S. where (some) doctors are over diagnosing on a variety of illnesses and disorders. Why would this be? Some docs are paid by pharmaceutical companies to move about the country and give lectures on the rise of ADHD. Regardless of whether they believe in what they are saying they are not unlike the traveling vacuum salesman from yesteryear. Furthermore, a doctor will be paid more quickly to diagnose and prescribe medication than if said doctor takes the time to do a detailed examination of a patient. Sorry to rock your faith in the hippocratic oath but this type o' doc does exist. (Anybody remember Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray?)

It is believed that the disorder is caused by genetics, environment, economic status and a few other determinants. Oh, is that all? Does this seem vast and vague at the same time? I thought so too. Genetics are genetics, agreed? Ok, moving on. Environment, let's look at that. We are talking about brain function. Naturally children are susceptible to environmental conditions due to the fact that their brains are still developing. Thus, pollution, diet, second hand smoke etc. are all factors that no doubt come into play. Let us not forget over-stimulation. Take a child raised in an environment of book-reading and limited television vs. a child allowed to play video games several hours per day. Which one is more likely to have focus and attention issues? Then there's food; I'd argue that additives and GMO's have a hand in ADHD's creation. Scientists have discovered that low levels of dopamine in the brains of children are a common denominator in ADHD patients. Natural foods that aid in keeping dopamine levels up are bananas, and almonds. Also, antioxidants like greens, fruits, asparagus, beets etc. aid in keeping the levels up. Without proper nutrition-often due to economic conditions-ADHD has a better shot at taking hold.


We've Come A Long Way Baby:

Back when I was coming up whenever we'd start 'acting up' the parental set would bark, "settle down…sit still…don't fidget…don't make a fuss…(and my favorite)…pay attention!" Problem solved right? The extreme cases of hyperactivity were given Ritalin. But by the late 1970's-early 80's Ritalin began to fade until its resurgence in the late 1990's. Maybe our parents/ doctors misdiagnosed some of us back in the day but now that hyperactivity has grown to ADHD not only is Ritalin back but Adderral is huge…and sadly abused. Doctors are over-presrcibing it and college students are going nuts on it. The pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction.

Take Big Timmy Timmons For Example:

Timmy was the captain of his high school football team. He had the hottest gal and a Burt Reynolds era Trans Am to match. College studies being a bear Timmy innocently takes the Adderall given him by pill peddler poindexter Paul Patterson (affectionately known as P5) as a study aid. But over time addiction kicks in. What once helped Timmy stay up and study for his history exam of which he hammered out a 73%, now owns him. The drug on its own doesn't cut it anymore so Timmy chases it down with Jagermeister and crappy American light-beer (which ironically should be deemed un-American). This works for a time but not forever. Eventually Timmy dives deeper into the drug sea only to find Father-Cocaine waiting with his gentle arms extended--a mound of blow in one hand and a glass crack-pipe in the other. You know the rest.

La Solucion (The Solution)

ADHD is very real and very serious but the science isn't locked up just yet--unknowns still abound. Parents hear me roar. Think of the pharmaceutical company as a drug pusher because he is. I am not saying that drugs don't work, nor am I saying they don't have their uses. HOWEVER, be ever cognizant that drug companies are in the business of making money. They have shareholders to which they are beholden. And, they have doctors and so called 'experts' spreading their message. And, they have big television ads which play on your fears. These ads will tell you that your child will fall behind, be ostracized and fail at her studies if they don't get on the Ritalin/Adderall train. And these companies have senators, congressmen and lobbyists in their pockets. And they've corrupted several Food & Drug agents. (**Note, the fact that  I cannot prove that last statement does not make it necessarily untrue nor does it make me a liar. Perhaps I'm merely a thought provocateur.)

good parenting!

Next, you need to research. Research like the wind! Read medical journals and not just from U.S. doctors. What are doctors saying overseas? Know your doctor. Check him/her out. If his last name is Murray check out his family tree. Do you want to take your child to Dr. Jack Murray, Conrad Murray's evil-er twin? Feed your kids healthy organic foods and make sure they exercise and get the  recommended amount of sleep. Last, limit the amount of stupid video games they play. Get them outside. Make them look you in the eye when they speak. Demand that they pull their pants up. And the occasional shouted, "Pay attention!' never hurt anybody, in fact it's good for what ails 'em. At the very least it keeps them on their toes and let's them know who's boss! Good luck!