Is this the future for our children?

(Revised from 7/2014)

Dr. Michelle Kmiec, Founder OHH

According to some estimates, since 1990 there has been a 300% increase in the use of pharmaceuticals to treat children diagnosed with ADHD.

Now doesn’t that statement beg the question of what is wrong with our medical establishment? It seems the trend is not to question why so many children (and adults) are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but instead to continue developing more drugs to counteract the “symptoms”.

As reported in USNews Health:

“Use of powerful antipsychotic medications such as Abilify and Risperdal (risperidone) to control youngsters with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other behavior problems has skyrocketed in recent years, a new study finds.”

Dr. Peter Breggin, a psychiatrist from Ithaca, N.Y. known for being an outspoken critic of the increased use of antipsychotic drugs in children said,

“These drugs damage developing brains. We have a national catastrophe.”

He continues,  “This is a situation where we have ruined the brains of millions of children. In controlling behavior, antipsychotics act on the frontal lobes of the brain — the same area of the brain targeted by a lobotomy.”

“These are lobotomizing drugs,” he added. “Of course, they will reduce all behavior, including irritability.” 

Additionally, a new Cochrane review found that there is

“No evidence to support the use of risperidone to treat attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)…”

It has been shown that long-term use of risperidone is associated with serious side effects, including headache, uneven heartbeats, fatigue, insomnia, weight gain and increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

Given that these medical treatments carry such high risks, why isn’t the FDA looking into the cause of the increased diagnoses of ADHD in the US (A.D.H.D. Seen in 11% of U.S. Children as Diagnoses Rise)? Logically, shouldn’t we be asking, “What has changed in our environment, our food, water and schools that could cause this degree of behavioral issues?”

Proponents of drug treatments for ADHD argue that “Back in the day, we didn’t have the medical knowledge to diagnose such conditions.” Well, “back in the day” we didn’t have the pollution we have today, the onslaught of processed foods, artificial foods, and of course…GMO’s.

What will the future of the US, and world for that matter, be if the FDA continues to promote this “Drugs for better Health” stance?

In fact, the following is the official stance of the FDA when asked if foods made with “organic” ingredients are safer than those made with ingredients from other sources.

“No. An ingredient’s source does not determine its safety. For example, many plants, whether or not they are organically grown, contain substances that may be toxic.”

What? Seriously? This is their answer? “…many plants, whether or not they are organically grown, contain substances that may be toxic.”

Toxic?  Like tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers, for example? I mean we are not talking about poisonous plants here, which of course would be toxic whether organic or not!

Or are they referring to “safer” products such as genetically modified corn, soy, yellow squash, and even papayas? (Did you know about papayas?) And let’s not forget about the “healthy” doses of cancer-causing pesticides!

All FDA APPROVED!

To further the argument that there is a link between our environment and the increased diagnoses of ADHD, many foods dyes and additives have long been known to cause hyperactivity in children and have even been banned in other countries, including Europe. (ADHD Linked to Food Dyes)

And let’s not forget about the inundation of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) that is now found in everything from kid’s cereal, bread, ice cream and canned soup, to condiments such as ketchup and barbecue sauce. Wasn’t it the Department of Agriculture that not long ago suggested that we reclassify ketchup as a vegetable? (What REALLY Is High Fructose Corn Syrup?)

(Side Note: I find it interesting that there are some who advocate against children eating fruit because of the high sugar content! What kind of backward thinking is that? Should they be eating artificial foods full of artificial sugars instead of nature’s candy? Crazy I know, but I have heard this on more than one occasion!)

Interestingly enough, we are more concerned about our dogs running off their energy at the local dog park than we are with making sure that our children get the physical activity that they need during recess and through physical education programs in schools. Did you know that up to 40% of US schools have cut recess?

Is this to say we care more about the health of dogs than our own children? 

Per Mother Nature Network, multiple studies report the same conclusion:

“Researchers say that cuts in play time affect children’s health and development process.”

Well, no kidding! Did we really need “multiple studies” to tell us that?

Of course, it doesn’t stop with recess.  There are many other curriculums that help to develop and spark creativity in children that are being dropped.  Sadly, many of the arts, including music, drama, and drawing, are now hard to find in most US schools. Only adding to the problem is the modern day pastime of video gaming. Is it really any wonder that ADHD is increasing exponentially?

So given the above arguments, is the only answer to the so-called ADHD epidemic truly medically prescribed drugs, including antipsychotics?

Is this the future we want for our children, for us, for humanity?

Resources 

• ADHD Is Not an Illness, and Ritalin Is Not a Cure
• Up to 40 percent of U.S. schools cutting back on recess
• More Kids Taking Antipsychotics for ADHD: Study
• Do ADHD Patients Benefit From Antipsychotic Drug?
• GMO Foods List: Top 10 Worst Foods
• ADHD Linked to Food Dyes
• What REALLY Is High Fructose Corn Syrup?
• Risperidone Side Effects
• A.D.H.D. Seen in 11% of U.S. Children as Diagnoses Rise