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What Ritalin is doing to our children's heads(UK)
The UK Telegraph ^ | June 13, 2011 | Andrew M Brown

Posted on 06/14/2011 7:20:09 AM PDT by US Navy Vet

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To: momtothree
"I am paraphrasing what I read but essentially the cartoons and video games of today are super fast. That speed of viewing changes the child’s brain."

Television does the same thing.

Lots of scenes that switch viewpoints rapidly.

There's a reason they call television 'programming'...

61 posted on 06/14/2011 3:14:06 PM PDT by GourmetDan (Eccl 10:2 - The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.)
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To: GourmetDan

A few months ago, I had the flu. The type that knocks you off your feet and you pretty much stay in bed. I noticed that watching television for extended periods of time tired me. It almost seems to zap your energy. I thought initially it was because I was sick so I waited a few weeks and watched a few hours straight one afternoon. Yep, tired and worn out.


62 posted on 06/14/2011 3:21:56 PM PDT by momtothree
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To: ClearCase_guy
Absolutely correct on all quotes. The pernicious idea of "quick fix" solutions has been allowed to permeate itself into British society - western culture generally actually. But when you are talking about depression type problems brought on by stress, overwork, inability to face up to reality or whatever, then there is no quick fix. Anti-depression pills are really band aids. They alleviate the immediate symptoms, and you may indeed need that, but unless they are used in conjunction with a detailed and probably difficult addressing of the underlying causes of whatever it is that is making you stressed, overworked etc, then you will be on the pills forever.

This is bad, because the more you use such things the less effective they become, the more dependent on them you become, the more difficult it becomes to really address the issues you have, and the more the assorted side-effects (and there are always some) will begin to affect you.

My take on it is this. Never take any medicine of any kind unless some doctor specifically tells you it is essential. And if you have to, get off the stuff as quickly as you possibly can.

63 posted on 06/16/2011 1:23:16 AM PDT by Vanders9
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To: GourmetDan
Television does the same thing. Lots of scenes that switch viewpoints rapidly. There's a reason they call television 'programming'...

It's likely not the subjects changing rapidly causing the problems but rather the scenes. There is a group of disorders very similar to ADD ADHD but have a different origin and triggering. Central Auditory Processing Disorders or C.A.P.D. can mimic many ADD ADHD type symptoms. But meds can't help it as such because it is neurological damage within the sensory processing system.

These kids may experiences things like lack of concentration in school some being limited to as little as 15 minutes. They may have both auditory and visual issues. For example they are in a class trying to take notes. They can't or not very well anyway. The teacher writes on a blackboard something for them to copy or copy a page or paragraph from a book and write it down. They will have difficulty. Oral instructions must be repeated several times. They can act as if in a day dreaming state. You can ask them for example to take out the trash and not receive a reply. You say it again and they say huh? The third time when you say it they stop you and say OK. This is because they have just processed your first or second communication with them.

They may not fair well in sports due to lacking coordination but do well at other things like camping, fishing, hunting, etc. A baseball thrown to them is seen by the brain as a danger and they swing early, late, not at all, or duck out of the way.

Any kid with a history of chronic ear infections, sinus allergies, things of that nature seem to be more prone to it because the ear infections or allergies damage the sensory processing system.

IN general there is no medication needed for treatment but rather learning environment adaption. For a clinical diagnoses an extensive medical history needs to be taken. The kid or adult would need to see a good eye doctor who knows how to check for single eye functional but vision in both eyes. You'd be surprised how many don't catch it. A kid or adult can have vision in both eyes and read an eye chart. But some persons eyes can not work at the same time. I am one eye functional and I passed two armed forces entrance physicals with flying colors plus a D.O.T. physical for commercial truck driver.

A kid suspected of having ADD ADHD should also be sent to an Audiologist who specializes in testing for C.A.P.D. These test have to do with the brains ability to multitask and the coordination of the optic and Vestibular processing system.

These has likely been around since mans time on earth but has reached a point where it is a problem due to the technology boom. Meaning simply this. There are a lot of things out there today that weren't even here in the 1960's which can overtax a damaged sensory processing system. They will also trigger some behavioral issues such as frustration, lack of concentration, and even anxiety.

I grew up on black and white TV. Black and white TV shows have never set me off but some TV shows can. They along with other auditory or visual situations can trigger seizure activity in extreme cases. This in adults can also be mistaken as anxiety disorders.

64 posted on 06/16/2011 2:45:53 AM PDT by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?)
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