Posted by Elizabeth on June 14, 2001, at 14:00:32
In reply to Re: JUDGE DISMISSES RITALIN LAWSUIT AGAINST NOVARTIS, posted by AMenz on June 14, 2001, at 10:12:12
> Yet I know at the bottom of my gut that children are being prescribed Ritalin to make deviant behavior fit within a classroom setting, and if a parent I would vigorously oppose psychiatric medication for a child whose brain is still forming and where the long term effects of these drugs are unknown.
I agree that Ritalin is probably sometimes misused to make children easier to manage, rather than for the child's good. But it's a very safe drug, it's been around for a long time, and the long-term effects are well-established. I'd be more cautious about antidepressants (or clonidine, another drug that's often used as a substitute for stimulants when a psychiatrist doesn't want to prescribe a controlled substance). On the other hand, early-onset depression is underrecognised and is probably sometimes misdiagnosed as ADD.
> Nor did they penalize me academically for conduct related incidents. I got A's in my academic subjects so long as I passed tests and finals (no demerits for no homework) and D's in my conduct mark.
They gave letter grades for "conduct?" Jeez. When I was in early grade school, conduct (or some equivalent category) was graded as either satisfactory or non-satisfactory (and the category didn't even exist past second grade or so). Grading kids on "conduct" is no less than outrageous -- especially with the stigma that already exists against taking medication that some kids with "conduct problems" most likely need.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:66195
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010612/msgs/66479.html