Posted by Sulpicia on March 13, 2001, at 8:53:12
In reply to Re: Ritalin (from a mad-doctor's laboratory to ......., posted by lumtur on March 12, 2001, at 23:32:39
> > Why is OK for adults to get treatment and not children? I'm not a huge fan of
giving the newest drugs to kids [too little long-term data] but what about the meds
we've had around for half a century?I'm afraid I don't understand the "$30 ticket" but as for the activities you mention,
all I can say is, if only! Perhaps you've been spared the misery of a child with a severe
illness, but if a child is so depressed that they cannot get out of bed, how can they
participate in such activities? Getting our children back to a healthy enjoyment of life
is possibly the most important goal of any parent in this situation. Believe me, I'd be
thrilled, but the unfortunate fact of the matter is that some children become extremely
ill. Without treatment, at best they waste their lives; at worst they die. I've not met
many parents who rush to meds at the drop of a hat. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Most parents try every other means of helping their children. It's a difficult issue to
face and a hard choice. From where I sit, the fact that there *are* effective treatments
for illnesses that in the past led to institutionalization or death, is a good thing.
Fencing would be a great idea but a child with ADD/HD in most cases can't participate.
Many can't pay attention long enough to grasp the fundamentals and most, if not all, will
become too frustrated because they don't readily understand the rules or techniques required.
What's great about treatment [=a combination of academic accomodation, theraputic intervention
and medication *where indicated*] is that it helps them figure out how to learn, how to focus,
and how to understand what's expected of them.Perhaps if I understood the nature of your personal experience with children and psychiatric
illness, I might see your point more clearly? Does your child have ADD/HD? A bad initial
experience with meds can really scare a parent -- is this the case?
S.
S.
poster:Sulpicia
thread:119
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/124.html