What are the Side Effects of Adderall & Ritalin?
Prescription drugs like Adderall or Ritalin for example, are a quick answer for a diagnosis of attention-defecit/hyperactivity disorder in the United States. Children (and adults) with ADD and/or ADHD suffer from severe emotional and behavioral difficulties. Obviously, attention problems interfere with family life, and impede the ability to learn and form new friendships. ADD/ADHD often leads to sleep disorders, depression and other co-occurring mental illnesses. So, why not take a pill and hope it can somehow either solve the problem or balance you or your child’s brain chemistry?
Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, and Vyvanse are Categorized by the FDA as Class II Narcotics
Significantly, the problem with most of the prescription medications used to treat these complex disorders is that they are categorized by the FDA as class II narcotics. Amphetamine; in street lingo is called “speed.” Feeding “speed” to children, under the protection of a legal prescription, is called “treatment”. All of these drugs have many possible short-term and long-term side effects. Some are very serious. Consequently, I encourage all parents to carefully scrutinize all possible side effects first before deciding whether it is an acceptable “tradeoff”.
Click on the Drug below for a list of side effects:
These drugs may cause anxiety, mood disturbances, arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest.
What are the Causes of ADD & ADHD?
In addition to hyperactivity and the inability to focus and concentrate, many of our patients diagnosed with ADD/ADHD also exhibit:
- Heavy metal toxicities (especially lead)
- Vitamin and mineral imbalances
- Omega-3 deficiencies
- Food, chemical and/or environmental allergies
- Candidiasis
- leaky gut syndrome.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Hormonal imbalances
- Inappropriate immune response
- Reversed bio-magnetic fields in the brain and/or body
- Auditory processing issues
- Sensory nerve disturbances
- Genetic predispositions
- Upper cervical subluxations
- Microcirculatory disturbances in the brain
- Hidden viruses
- parasites or other pathogens
- Chronic inflammation of the brain
- neurotransmitter imbalances
- Learning disabilities
- Neurological damage to the brain
- Emotional disturbances
- Birth trauma
- Carbohydrate sensitivity
- Post-vaccination syndrome
Are any of these factors corrected by pharmaceutical stimulants? ADD/ADHD is not a drug deficiency syndrome? Should underlying causes be ignored?
What Natural treatment for ADD/ADHD is there?
Holistic treatment offers very effective therapies for individuals without worrisome and dangerous side effects. A holistic treatment plan first examines what has gone awry in the metabolism and biochemistry. Then corrections to any underlying weaknesses, deficiencies, toxicities, allergies, mineral ratio imbalances, and excesses can begin to take place.
What Tests for ADD/ADHD can be done?
What tests should be at least considered before embarking on a treatment program, whether drug oriented or holistic?
I recommend the following:
- Comprehensive blood testing
- Hair analysis for heavy metals and mineral ratio imbalances.
- EEG (if seizures are suspected)
- Neuropsychological evaluation
With ADHD, it is also important to rule out:
- sleep disorders
- seizure disorders
- learning disabilities
The Holistic Evaluation and Treatment of ADD/ADHD
Consequently, the natural and holistic evaluation and treatment of ADD/ADHD requires a wide-ranging knowledge base in:
- Nutritional biochemistry
- Pathology
- Homeopathy
- Bio-magnetics
- Allergy testing
- Chiropractic techniques
- Energy field scanning
Certainly, in my 40+ years of practice, I understand the importance of individualized treatment for each of my patients, and how to prioritize treatment. Finally, I believe, it is of utmost importance to leave no stone unturned.
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