6/18/13. Drs. Cohen (physician) and Rasmussen (historian) tell us about the history of stimulant use, and how stimulants have made our nation of kids on speed.
These doctors know not what they are talking about. After 35 years of treating children, adolescents, adults and families I know that stimulant medication saves lives of those properly diagnosed with ADHD and associated disorders.
The relentless attacks on psychiatric medication never let up.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323728204578513662248894162.html?KEYWORDS=a+nation+of+kids+on+speed
My letter to the editor:
·
There is a wealth
of scientific data on the clinical description, epidemiology, developmental
course, prognosis, etiology, evaluation, co-existing disorders, differential
diagnosis, and treatments for ADHD.
·
There are some
excellent long-term studies about the positive effects of stimulant medication
for ADHD.
·
The
psychostimulants methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine (Adderall) are the
oldest and most established pharmacological agents in child mental health.
·
The benefits of
stimulant medication for ADHD have been studied over more than 50 years.
·
Medications are
underused in some regions and are prescribed too freely in others.
·
There is strong
evidence that ADHD is a genetic disorder.
·
Most people who
suffer from ADHD never get diagnosed or take medication.
·
People who have
undiagnosed ADHD are at risk for substance abuse, depression, anxieties, and
suicide.
·
These medications
work for the vast majority of people who are properly diagnosed.
Of course our reliance on symptoms does not mean we know
nothing about psychiatric disorders. Even Drs. Cohen and Rasmussen insert one
sentence in their half-page article that, “Stimulants can certainly benefit
some young children with truly disabling ADHD.” They go on to claim, “history
has already taught us that overprescribing stimulant to millions of Americans
leads to dependence, addiction, and overdose.”
History may have taught this to Drs. Cohen and
Rasmussen, but the clinical experience of many psychologists and psychiatrists
informed by rigorous, peer-reviewed
scientific research on ADHD, has shown that many children, adolescents, and
adults find stimulant medication like glasses-for-the-mind, enhancing focus,
organization, planning, and effective self-monitoring.
Do some people abuse stimulants – of course. People
with substance abuse problems abuse stimulants --- and some vulnerable people may be use stimulants
to “self-medicate” to “treat” undiagnosed psychiatric problems, or use
stimulants to stay up all night, or whatever people do who are impulsive, have
faulty judgment and try to cope with psychic despair.
Psychiatric medications such as stimulants sometimes
offer life-enhancing measures to improve the faulty “hard drive” improving mood
stability, the ability to filter out external distractions, or improve self-control.
Psychological therapies, often helpful with people with ADHD, do much to repair
“software,” providing supportive settings to promote hope, reroute faulty
“instructions” and teach people how to live better.
Until we have a medical test to identify ADHD, no
amount of scientific knowledge, clinical experience, or testimonials from
parents and youngsters will convince Drs. Cohen and Rasmusssen of the
importance of treating ADHD across the
life-span.
I hope that Drs. Cohen’s and Rasmussen’s efforts to
protect us from the dangers of the misuse of medication for ADHD does not
generate the side-effects of growing-up with untreated ADHD --- side-effects
such as school failure, depression, delinquency, and suicide.
Steven J. Ceresnie, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Independent Practice
Plymouth, Michigan
