Are Ritalin Side Effects Worth It?

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affect approximately 2 million American children. Each of these conditions is commonly diagnosed in early childhood. Symptoms include, but are not limited to, an inability to sit quietly, an inability to concentrate for prolonged periods of time, and an inability to control impulsive behavior.

While many young children may exhibit these symptoms, a pediatrician, psychologist, or other mental health professional is able to properly diagnose which children are actually affected with a true behavioral disorder. When a diagnosis is given, children are commonly prescribed the behavior-modifying drug Ritalin in an attempt to neutralize the symptoms.

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Ritalin stimulates the central nervous system. It is more powerful than caffeine, but less powerful than other amphetamines. Still, it is a drug that is often abused by people that it is not prescribed for. Ritalin is known to share the addictive qualities some people are drawn to in much the same way they are drawn to other stimulants such as speed or cocaine.

Ritalin side effects may include insomnia, loss of appetite, nervousness, headaches, muscle twitches, and vision problems. More severe Ritalin side effects can include seizures, paranoia, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, depression, migraine headaches, hallucinations, aggression, and other bizarre behaviors.

To counteract the side effects of Ritalin, other drugs are sometimes prescribed with each new drug having its own separate list of common or even more dangerous side effects. Among the most serious Ritalin side effects is that it has been known to cause damage to a young patient’s heart vessels, which has lead to death.

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Aside from the dangerous side effects of Ritalin, it does nothing to cure ADD or ADHD. Because it merely masks the symptoms of each condition, many parents have erroneously believed that it has cured their child. However, in conjunction with Ritalin, doctors recommend that children with ADD or ADHD also undergo behavioral therapy. It is important that parents seek therapeutic treatments in order to help their children learn how to effectively manage this condition.

Parents attempting to avoid the side effects of Ritalin have found enormous success via natural treatments and other alternative therapies. Since recent studies have indicated that ADD and ADHD in some children may be caused by food allergies, parents have discovered that eliminating fast food and junk food from their child’s diet has reversed their child’s symptoms. Also, avoiding simple carbohydrates such as sugar, white bread, and white flour have been helpful in correcting attention and hyperactivity disorders in some.

Parents with children diagnosed with ADD or ADHD are strongly encouraged to educate themselves on the possible causes of their child’s diagnosis and the side effects of Ritalin before allowing their children to take the drug. Along with dietary changes and behavioral therapy, parents are also advised to investigate herbal treatments such as Ginko Biloba, Skullcap, and Valerian — all of which have brought measurable success to some children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD.

Parents are a child’s greatest advocates. Therefore, to completely protect children against Ritalin side effects and to help children manage or recover from a behavioral or attention disorder, each parent must be proactive in studying these issues and have a firm understanding of the side effects of Ritalin and the natural remedies that are available to their children.

By: Diana Ketchen

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Diana is a Natural Health Consultant and is currently taking classes to earn a certificate in herbalism. Her website Natural Health and Herbal Remedies, offers the knowledge, insights and experiences she has gained from her journey into the world of natural health and her quest to share it with others. Learn more about a Natural ADHD Remedy.

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