[LMB] OT:AKICIF ADD

[Mark Allums]

Mark Allums wrote:
> Let me point out one more thing that no one else has mentioned.  The 
> theory behind why stimulants work for ADD/ADHD is that there is a part 
> of the brain that in ADD sufferers run more slowly than in other people. 
>  The stimulant drug works simply by speeding up that slow part to a 
> normal or above normal condition.  That also why college students buy 
> Ritalin on the black market, (or Adderall, an amphetamine mixture). They 
> want the same part of their brain involved with concentration working 
> overtime while they study.
> 
> --Mark Allums

Replying to my own post:

You can tell I'm not using Ritalin at the moment by the number of typos 
in the above.

I thought I'd clarify that Adderall is a mixture of salts of 
dextroamphetamine, it has nothing to do with methamphetamine, which is a 
different drug chemically and has no clinical value.  And is more 
addictive than crack, and has a worse effect on someone than crack.

I mentioned that people self-medicated with illicit substances, but that 
fact is not really answering your questions about ADD.

ADD is thought to be caused by certain structures of the brain not 
functioning at levels seen in non-ADD people.  It needs treating only if 
it is affecting ones life to his/her detriment.  You can try a 
non-stimulant treatment, the med Strattera [sp?].  However, it is not 
effective in a large percentage of people.  Ritalin, Adderall, Cylert, 
and so forth are all stimulants.  Trying a stimulant right off the bat 
is done by pyshiatrist because it is also very diagnostic.  A true 
ADD/ADHD sufferer will show a marked improment right away.  If the 
patient doesn't improve on Ritalin, s/he probably isn't ADD.   The 
stimulants used in ADD treatment are not particularly addictive, and 
cause relatively few side effects, the worst one possbly being insomnia, 
which is why the last dose of the day is at noon or one o'clock. 
Ritalin is better for you than nicotine.

ADD is very common in people with brain disorders such as bipolar 
disorder.  Bipolar people also are known for self-medicating with 
alcohol and other drugs.  Remember, it's the brain structures not 
behaving, so no surprise that sometimes when you see one problem, you 
see several.  Not meaning to alarm you, or anything.

You should definitely give ADD a chance, meaning, don't dismiss it out 
of hand.  Take the advice you've been given about making sure it's not a 
food allergy, or some other problem, and when those things are ruled 
out, try the medication.  It sometimes happens that the child taking 
meds can't tolerate the stimulants.  Then you have to fall back on other 
remedies, like behavior modification therapy, and other coping stategies.

Also, a diagnosis of ADD is not the end of the world.  The majority of 
ADD kids do fine, and grow up healthy and happy.

--Mark Allums