Replies to '09/28 Overmedicating America: The Cruise Controversy'

Quote From: mrsdbc427

My granddaughter was diagnosed with ADHA at age 5. She underwent a battery of tests prior to diagnosis.  The psychiatrist and my daughter agreed to try alternative therapies (behavior, nutrition etc) before jumping into medications (except for sleeping--the child never slept!!) She was fine through the summer, but the first two weeks of first grade  were a nightmare--. My daughter called the doctor when the child ended upin the principal's office the 8th day of school. He pace her on 10mg of Adderal and the change in my granddaughter was dramatic. She was in no way lethargic and it did not cramp her creative style--it made her capable participating in a normal classroom setting. She was even named Student of the month the month after starting the medication. Whenever she does not take her medication, her behavior reflects it.  My daughter sees to it that my granddaughter gets plenty of exercize and limits sweets, fried  foods etc. and the child loves fruits salads.  My daugter (I am sure) haa ADD but was never diagnosed (not that I didn't try to get help!) After my granddaughter was diagnosed she herself discovered how many symptoms of ADD she herself has.  Unfortunately she went to a family doctor who prescribed three different psychotrpic meds to her over a span of 6 weeks and she was out of control.  She has gotten back on track now--word to the wise--no matter how great your family doctor seems to be--He/She is not a psychiatrist! I agree with another message--family docs shouldn't be prescribing psych meds without thorough testing!  Anyone who thinks ADHD/bipolar etc is a figment of someones imagination has never lived with anyone who has it.