Beyond Ritalin: Facts about Medication and Strategies for Helping Children,: Adolescents, and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders

273 Pages·2014·1.75 MB·English

by  Spizman

THIS BOOK IS NOT IN ANY WAY
SPONSORED BY, CONNECTED TO, OR ASSOCIATED WITH
THE MANUFACTURERS OF RITALIN.
Copyright © 1996 by Marianne Garber, Ph.D., Stephen W. Garber, Ph.D., and Robyn Freedman
Spizman
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in
the United States by Villard Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York, and
simultaneously in Canada by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto.
Villard Books is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc.
Grateful acknowledgment is made to American Psychiatric Association for permission to reprint
“Diagnostic Criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder” from American Psychiatric
Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (Washington,
D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Reprinted by permission.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA IS AVAILABLE
ISBN 0-679-45018-1
eBook ISBN: 978-0-80415136-8
v3.1
The names of the individuals involved in examples and case histories
used in this book have been changed. We have randomly
interchanged the pronouns used in the book. Although ADHD still
appears to afflict more males than females, most often examples reflect
experiences that could be those of either sex. When reading the
information, feel free to think of the children, adolescents, and adults
you know best.
In addition, please note that the terms attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) are labels used
interchangeably to designate the same constellation of symptoms.
Although ADD is the more popularly recognized term, ADHD is the name
given to the disorder by the American Psychiatric Association in its
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition
(DSM-IV). In Beyond Ritalin we most often use the technically correct
term ADHD to denote all forms of attention deficit disorders including
those with and without hyperactivity.
FOREWORD
For the past twenty years we have been working with children and
adolescents who suffer from the complex problem now called
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In our personal lives, we
have grappled with the issues surrounding ADHD, so we know firsthand
how difficult and troubling the problems associated with this disorder
can be.
We have written Beyond Ritalin because we now know that there is so
much that can and must be done, far beyond medication alone, to help
those who suffer from ADHD. In the beginning we thought we could
help these youngsters without medication, using the behavioral
techniques that had worked well for so many others with behavior
problems at home and school. Along the way, though, we discovered
that for many children medication made a significant difference,
permitting the youngsters to sit longer, pay attention better, control
impulsiveness, and be receptive to other kinds of therapy and instruction
they needed.
Medication for ADHD remains a controversial, often misunderstood
issue, so we must be clear: Medication does not cure ADHD; it doesn’t
teach the child how to follow directions in school, sit and do homework,
make and keep friends, or be less forgetful. Beyond Ritalin presents a
close look, based on current research, at what medication can and
cannot do for those with ADHD.
While ADHD has been traditionally considered a childhood problem,
Beyond Ritalin is not written just about children and parents. As we
followed the youngsters we worked with through the years, we saw that
many of them grew into young men and women still dealing with many
aspects of the disorder. In addition, many of their parents recognized in
themselves the symptoms that define this disorder. However, other
adults have also begun to ask if they might have ADHD. For the first
time they were able to give a name to the troubling characteristics that
had wreaked havoc with their lives.
It became clear to us, as it has to so many other professionals, that
ADHD is not simply a childhood problem. Beyond Ritalin is written to
help individuals of all ages, and the people who care about them,
understand what they can and must do to help themselves.
In the 1980s, national attention came to ADHD and the medication
most prescribed for it, Ritalin. The glare of the spotlight brought
reasonable concern and fear. Were too many children being placed on
medication? Was ADHD a scapegoat for discipline problems in the
schools? In the midst of controversy, however, other important questions
were lost. The questions each parent and individual must ask are: Do I
have a correct diagnosis of ADHD? What kind of medication might be
helpful? What else can and should I do to help myself or my child deal
with this problem? At the risk of sounding trite, “To take Ritalin or not
to take Ritalin” is not the only issue.
Perhaps you picked up this book because you are facing the decision
of what to do about ADHD for yourself or your child. Or you may have
already chosen to use medication, but don’t have a clear understanding
about what it does. You may have elected not to use medication and
want to know what other kinds of treatment are available. We have
written Beyond Ritalin to answer each of your concerns and serve as a
guide to coping with and overcoming each troubling aspect of this
disorder.
On a daily basis we see people whose quality of life has been affected
by ADHD. We have met individuals who have and haven’t been helped
by various medications, and those who have found other ways to cope
with this problem. We dedicate this book to all of these people, who
have the courage to ask the really hard questions, to challenge
professionals to find additional answers, and to be willing to search for
solutions beyond Ritalin.
CONTENTS
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
FOREWORD
I: THE RITALIN DEBATE
1. EYE OF THE STORM
Confusion and Controversy Abound
2. MEDICATION MYTHS
Facts and Fallacies About Medication
II: BEYOND RITALIN
3. WHY RITALIN DOESN’T DIAGNOSE ADHD
How to Get an Accurate Diagnosis
4. WHAT TO TRY BEFORE YOU TRY MEDICATION
Alternatives at School, Home, and Work
5. WHEN MEDICATION IS NEEDED
Finding the Best Fit
6. WHY ON-TASK IN THE CLASSROOM IS NOT ENOUGH
Improving Learning and Achievement
7. THE MISCUE DILEMMA
Solving Social Problems
8. RECHANNELING THE ADHD MIND
Learning Self-Control
9. ROUTINES MEDICATION DOESN’T TEACH
Building Organization Skills for Life
10. TAMING THE TIGER WITHIN
Cultivating Inner Calmness
11. ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
Fads, Fallacies, and Facts
12. ADHD GROWN UP
From Disc Jockeys to Doctors
RESOURCES: CHILD, ADOLESCENT, AND ADULT
ORGANIZATIONS AND SUPPORT GROUPS THAT CAN HELP
BOOKS, TAPES, AND OTHER MATERIALS
AFTERWORD
REFERENCES
Acknowledgments
Other Books by This Author
About the Authors
I
THE RITALIN DEBATE
1
EYE OF THE STORM
Confusion and Controversy Abound
Seven-year-old ’s teachers suspected he might have an
MICKEY ALVAREZ
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and referred him for
testing. Like so many parents we’ve seen, the Alvarezes had read the
headlines and had heard the terms before. Worried and confused about
their son, they made their position very clear: “Don’t say the R word!
We won’t consider giving him Ritalin.”
were confused. After having been diagnosed with
MR. AND MRS. COHEN
ADHD, their eleven-year-old son had responded well to Ritalin.
JERALD
His teachers reported that he was able to sit at his desk for longer
periods of time, completed more assignments, and generally was more
attentive in class. However, his test scores had not improved
significantly, nor was he getting along that much better with his parents,
siblings, or classmates. Fights were still a daily occurrence. “Ritalin is no
magic pill as far as we’re concerned,” said Mr. Cohen.
was fifteen when she came to see us. She had been diagnosed
JESSIE KELLEY
as having an attention deficit disorder when she was eight years old, had
taken Ritalin, and had done quite well. Her parents were concerned
because she was having difficulty paying attention and keeping up with
the workload in high school. “She’s a teenager now, so ADD isn’t a
problem anymore. What do we do?” asked her mom.
is an up-and-coming lawyer. He had to struggle through law
MICHAEL PITT
school, but made it. Although a “go-getter” and great with the tiny
details of contracts, he hasn’t made partner yet. When we met with him,