Just Say No To Legal Drugs

Did you know that 8% of major league basketball players were on ADD (attention deficit disorder) psychostimulant medication during the 2008 season? They had to get exemptions because these drugs are normally banned in the major league games. ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is an umbrella term for behavioural disorders among both children and adults and the side effects of these drugs have been the source of a controversial debate. Other conditions which fall under this umbrella are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ODD which stands for Oppositional Defiant Disorder.

Strattera Comes Under Fire

There is a heated debate in the Australian Parliament at the moment about one of these drugs for attention deficit disorder which is called Strattera. There have been 56 reports that Starattera can cause suicidal thoughts and even cause patients to inflict injuries on themselves. Under the Australian Health Scheme, the government has funded resources for this drug to the tune of $100 million dollars to cover the period 2004 -2007. Debate has raged on whether the government should be spending such a lot of money on a drug which can lead to suicides especially as they have now added in an a higher dose version of the drug! There must be a safer way and it is outlined below.

ADHD Alternative Therapy
ADHD is the type of disorder where hyperactivity is a prevalent symptom although it may co-exist with inattentive ADHD where the child/or adult is spaced out and has great problems in focusing and concentration. Inefficient and messy multi-tasking may well be a symptom of this behaviour disorder. As well as treating this condition with one of several drugs similar to Stattera (Ritalin, Concerta and Adderall are others), there are several other alternative therapies which can either replace these potentially harmful drugs or be used in conjunction with other therapies.

Exercise Is Great For Hyperactive Children

Exercise for hyperactive kids has had a good deal of publicity lately. A recent study carried out by the State University of New York at Buffalo showed that exercise had a beneficial effect on the children’s behaviour and attention deficit disorder problems were much reduced after the exercise program had finished. The children who were tested were aged between 5 and 12 and they had to do just forty minutes of exercise for 5 days a week for a six week period. The experts there believe that when we exercise, positive changes occur in brain chemistry. We also know that aerobic exercise releases the ‘feel-good’ endorphins which increase feelings of pleasure. Other neurotransmitters affect mood, anxiety and attention span.This explains why hyperactive kids are always more manageable after a period of exercise.

The problem is that the children of to-day lead increasingly sedentary lives and the only parts of the body exercise are the wrists and the hands ! Apart from parenting techniques, diet and exercise, there are difficult decisions to take about which treatment can be adopted for attention deficit disorder.

Obviously more and more parents are becoming alarmed at the side effects of ADHD psychostimulants. What is the alternative ? The link below will take you to a site which has all the answers for a safe attention deficit disorder therapy which will guarantee a quiet life for all the family.