Hyperactivity

Hyperactivity

"Hyperactivity is a number of symptoms not a specific disease." (Walker, "Drugging...). Kids should not be given Ritalin because they are hyperactive, especially since "sufficient data on long-term use is not available yet." ("The attention-getting drug"). "Nationally between 500,000 and 2 million school children take various drugs for hyperactivity though no one knows the exact figure." (Offir, "Are we..."). Hyperactivity is only natural and cannot be treated with drugs; all that drugs can do is mask it. (Dowall, "Brain damage...).

"It has been proven that Ritalin has some serious side effects on children who use it, couple of which are; anerexia, headache, abdominal pain, seizures, and insomnia." (Ritalin Manufacturer Pamphlet). "Hyperactivity is a number of problems, but only when it is caused by attention deficit disorder (ADD) is Ritalin effective." (Busico, "The attention...). There had been cases where Ritalin had actually helped. "Fifteen-year old twins were put on Ritalin and their whole life changed for the better. They were able to settle down, learn, and lead full lives." (Busico, "The Attention..."). "Teachers reported eighty eight percent improvement on Ritalin; sixty seven percent improvement on placebo. I.Q. increased eleven points on Ritalin and four points on Placebo." (Ritalin Manufacturer Pamphlet). There were other cases, however, where kids were "manic, depressed, and suicidal" once put on Ritalin. (Donahue).

There are alternatives to treating hyperactivity other than drugs, one of which is Feingold's diet. It's simply a diet free of all synthetic foods. Synthetic foods cause allergies and make kids act up, while natural foods do just the opposite. This diet calms kids down and helps them learn better. While some kids profit from this diet, many others do not. "While 75% of kids in Feingold's study recovered, only 15% of kids in the U.C. of Pittsburgh showed and improvement." (Science Digest, "Food Additives..."). Many studies conducted by people other than Feingold showed poor results, which led to Feingold's theory that "hyperactive kids are notorious liars." Feingold's studies about his diet seem to be positive, while other studies are not. In one of Feingold's studies, "out of one hundred cases, 80% of those on drugs could discontinue drugs once started synthetic-free food; 50-60% of those not using drugs returned to normal. Hyperactivity can be turned on and off." (Offir, "Are we...").

Putting kids on drugs could result in serious side effects, while natural foods are no harm at all. Megavitamins should also be tried before drugs. 'Megavitamins are much more likely to help and much less likely to harm." (Marsh, "How..."). "Forty-four percent of those put on megavitamin therapy have fewer suicide attempts; nine-point gain on non-verbal