Re: 12,000 scripts for Ritalin and similar medications written out each week - UK

[Guest guest]

The Parable of the high-browed Leprachauns and the Magic Potion

~ brought to you by Cassandra Casey

Once upon a time, a group high-browed Leprachauns came together to decide what

should be done to control little urchins who wouldn't stay in their seats or do

their homework. These little urchins were different from other little urchins

who were mild mannered and got good grades, so the high-browed Leprachauns

decided that the troublesome little urchins had something wrong with them, and

they needed to be fixed. They created all kinds of potions to give to the

troublesome little urchins so they would sit still and behave. Many of the

little urchins, after taking the potions, were finally able to sit still. Some

even got good grades, and when they did, they got a 4-leaf clover! A-ha!

exclaimed the high-browed Leprachauns - we must hurry and tell everyone that we

have solved the problem with these troublesome little urchins! Soon, the

potions were being fed to hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of urchins

throughout the land. But alas, some of them who took the potions did not grow,

and some of these troublesome little urchins fell over dead.

The more thoughtful Wizards, having observed all this, grew increasingly alarmed

- they simply could not stand by idly to see how many more little urchins would

have stunted growth or fall over dead. After all, these little urchins would

one day grow up to be funny little Leprachauns or even Wizards. So the more

thoughtful Wizards went abroad warning the high-browed Leprachauns and the

caretakers of the little urchins that the potions could be fatal.

To their dismay they learned that many of the caretakers had believed the

high-browed Leprachauns, and were certain that the potions were magic - so

certain were they, that they simply could not understand why the Wizards wanted

to take the potions away, and many of the little urchins cried because they

believed that without the potions, they would never get their 4-Leaf clover...

>

>

> * Over 12,000 prescriptions for Ritalin and similar medications

> written out each week

> [Troubled: Prescriptions for Ritalin and other drugs for ADHD have

> soared. (Posed by model)]

> Troubled: Prescriptions for Ritalin and other drugs for ADHD have

> soared. (Posed by model)

>

> Soaring numbers of hyperactive children are being given controversial

> drugs to control their behaviour.

>

> Prescriptions for Ritalin and similar medications for ADHD have risen by

> 70 per cent in the past five years, with more than 12,000 written out

> each week.

>

>

> But some doctors fear that parents are simply using the drugs to sedate

> unruly children without knowing enough about the potential risks.

>

> The drugs, nicknamed chemical coshes, can cause nausea, fatigue and mood

> swings and have also been linked to suicides.

>

>

> Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta up from

> 382,000 in 2005.

>

> Most will have been handed out to those under the age of 19 diagnosed

> with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, with symptoms including an

> inability to concentrate and restless or impulsive behaviour.

>

>

> Experts say Ritalin and similar drugs contain the same chemicals as

> speed and cocaine.

>

>

> In 2008, health watchdog NICE advised doctors to hand the drugs out only

> in the most severe cases.

>

>

> Dr Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the

> NHS in Lincolnshire, said: There is no evidence the drugs make a

> positive impact.

>

>

> 'The NICE guidelines failed patients.

>

> 'Doctors who wanted to put kids on the medication simply had to diagnose

> a severe case.

>

>

> Between 3 and 5 per cent of British children suffer from ADHD.

> [Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta - up from

> 382,000 in 2005]

> Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta - up from

> 382,000 in 2005

>

>

> Read more:

> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388903/Chemical-cosh-Ritalin-\

> demand-soars-70-years.html#ixzz1Mt74hCtO

> <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388903/Chemical-cosh-Ritalin\

> -demand-soars-70-years.html#ixzz1Mt74hCtO>

>

[Guest guest]

The Parable of the high-browed Leprachauns and the Magic Potion

~ brought to you by Cassandra Casey

Once upon a time, a group high-browed Leprachauns came together to decide what

should be done to control little urchins who wouldn't stay in their seats or do

their homework. These little urchins were different from other little urchins

who were mild mannered and got good grades, so the high-browed Leprachauns

decided that the troublesome little urchins had something wrong with them, and

they needed to be fixed. They created all kinds of potions to give to the

troublesome little urchins so they would sit still and behave. Many of the

little urchins, after taking the potions, were finally able to sit still. Some

even got good grades, and when they did, they got a 4-leaf clover! A-ha!

exclaimed the high-browed Leprachauns - we must hurry and tell everyone that we

have solved the problem with these troublesome little urchins! Soon, the

potions were being fed to hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of urchins

throughout the land. But alas, some of them who took the potions did not grow,

and some of these troublesome little urchins fell over dead.

The more thoughtful Wizards, having observed all this, grew increasingly alarmed

- they simply could not stand by idly to see how many more little urchins would

have stunted growth or fall over dead. After all, these little urchins would

one day grow up to be funny little Leprachauns or even Wizards. So the more

thoughtful Wizards went abroad warning the high-browed Leprachauns and the

caretakers of the little urchins that the potions could be fatal.

To their dismay they learned that many of the caretakers had believed the

high-browed Leprachauns, and were certain that the potions were magic - so

certain were they, that they simply could not understand why the Wizards wanted

to take the potions away, and many of the little urchins cried because they

believed that without the potions, they would never get their 4-Leaf clover...

>

>

> * Over 12,000 prescriptions for Ritalin and similar medications

> written out each week

> [Troubled: Prescriptions for Ritalin and other drugs for ADHD have

> soared. (Posed by model)]

> Troubled: Prescriptions for Ritalin and other drugs for ADHD have

> soared. (Posed by model)

>

> Soaring numbers of hyperactive children are being given controversial

> drugs to control their behaviour.

>

> Prescriptions for Ritalin and similar medications for ADHD have risen by

> 70 per cent in the past five years, with more than 12,000 written out

> each week.

>

>

> But some doctors fear that parents are simply using the drugs to sedate

> unruly children without knowing enough about the potential risks.

>

> The drugs, nicknamed chemical coshes, can cause nausea, fatigue and mood

> swings and have also been linked to suicides.

>

>

> Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta up from

> 382,000 in 2005.

>

> Most will have been handed out to those under the age of 19 diagnosed

> with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, with symptoms including an

> inability to concentrate and restless or impulsive behaviour.

>

>

> Experts say Ritalin and similar drugs contain the same chemicals as

> speed and cocaine.

>

>

> In 2008, health watchdog NICE advised doctors to hand the drugs out only

> in the most severe cases.

>

>

> Dr Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the

> NHS in Lincolnshire, said: There is no evidence the drugs make a

> positive impact.

>

>

> 'The NICE guidelines failed patients.

>

> 'Doctors who wanted to put kids on the medication simply had to diagnose

> a severe case.

>

>

> Between 3 and 5 per cent of British children suffer from ADHD.

> [Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta - up from

> 382,000 in 2005]

> Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta - up from

> 382,000 in 2005

>

>

> Read more:

> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388903/Chemical-cosh-Ritalin-\

> demand-soars-70-years.html#ixzz1Mt74hCtO

> <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388903/Chemical-cosh-Ritalin\

> -demand-soars-70-years.html#ixzz1Mt74hCtO>

>

[Guest guest]

The Parable of the high-browed Leprachauns and the Magic Potion

~ brought to you by Cassandra Casey

Once upon a time, a group high-browed Leprachauns came together to decide what

should be done to control little urchins who wouldn't stay in their seats or do

their homework. These little urchins were different from other little urchins

who were mild mannered and got good grades, so the high-browed Leprachauns

decided that the troublesome little urchins had something wrong with them, and

they needed to be fixed. They created all kinds of potions to give to the

troublesome little urchins so they would sit still and behave. Many of the

little urchins, after taking the potions, were finally able to sit still. Some

even got good grades, and when they did, they got a 4-leaf clover! A-ha!

exclaimed the high-browed Leprachauns - we must hurry and tell everyone that we

have solved the problem with these troublesome little urchins! Soon, the

potions were being fed to hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of urchins

throughout the land. But alas, some of them who took the potions did not grow,

and some of these troublesome little urchins fell over dead.

The more thoughtful Wizards, having observed all this, grew increasingly alarmed

- they simply could not stand by idly to see how many more little urchins would

have stunted growth or fall over dead. After all, these little urchins would

one day grow up to be funny little Leprachauns or even Wizards. So the more

thoughtful Wizards went abroad warning the high-browed Leprachauns and the

caretakers of the little urchins that the potions could be fatal.

To their dismay they learned that many of the caretakers had believed the

high-browed Leprachauns, and were certain that the potions were magic - so

certain were they, that they simply could not understand why the Wizards wanted

to take the potions away, and many of the little urchins cried because they

believed that without the potions, they would never get their 4-Leaf clover...

>

>

> * Over 12,000 prescriptions for Ritalin and similar medications

> written out each week

> [Troubled: Prescriptions for Ritalin and other drugs for ADHD have

> soared. (Posed by model)]

> Troubled: Prescriptions for Ritalin and other drugs for ADHD have

> soared. (Posed by model)

>

> Soaring numbers of hyperactive children are being given controversial

> drugs to control their behaviour.

>

> Prescriptions for Ritalin and similar medications for ADHD have risen by

> 70 per cent in the past five years, with more than 12,000 written out

> each week.

>

>

> But some doctors fear that parents are simply using the drugs to sedate

> unruly children without knowing enough about the potential risks.

>

> The drugs, nicknamed chemical coshes, can cause nausea, fatigue and mood

> swings and have also been linked to suicides.

>

>

> Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta up from

> 382,000 in 2005.

>

> Most will have been handed out to those under the age of 19 diagnosed

> with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, with symptoms including an

> inability to concentrate and restless or impulsive behaviour.

>

>

> Experts say Ritalin and similar drugs contain the same chemicals as

> speed and cocaine.

>

>

> In 2008, health watchdog NICE advised doctors to hand the drugs out only

> in the most severe cases.

>

>

> Dr Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the

> NHS in Lincolnshire, said: There is no evidence the drugs make a

> positive impact.

>

>

> 'The NICE guidelines failed patients.

>

> 'Doctors who wanted to put kids on the medication simply had to diagnose

> a severe case.

>

>

> Between 3 and 5 per cent of British children suffer from ADHD.

> [Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta - up from

> 382,000 in 2005]

> Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta - up from

> 382,000 in 2005

>

>

> Read more:

> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388903/Chemical-cosh-Ritalin-\

> demand-soars-70-years.html#ixzz1Mt74hCtO

> <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388903/Chemical-cosh-Ritalin\

> -demand-soars-70-years.html#ixzz1Mt74hCtO>

>

[Guest guest]

The Parable of the high-browed Leprachauns and the Magic Potion

~ brought to you by Cassandra Casey

Once upon a time, a group high-browed Leprachauns came together to decide what

should be done to control little urchins who wouldn't stay in their seats or do

their homework. These little urchins were different from other little urchins

who were mild mannered and got good grades, so the high-browed Leprachauns

decided that the troublesome little urchins had something wrong with them, and

they needed to be fixed. They created all kinds of potions to give to the

troublesome little urchins so they would sit still and behave. Many of the

little urchins, after taking the potions, were finally able to sit still. Some

even got good grades, and when they did, they got a 4-leaf clover! A-ha!

exclaimed the high-browed Leprachauns - we must hurry and tell everyone that we

have solved the problem with these troublesome little urchins! Soon, the

potions were being fed to hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of urchins

throughout the land. But alas, some of them who took the potions did not grow,

and some of these troublesome little urchins fell over dead.

The more thoughtful Wizards, having observed all this, grew increasingly alarmed

- they simply could not stand by idly to see how many more little urchins would

have stunted growth or fall over dead. After all, these little urchins would

one day grow up to be funny little Leprachauns or even Wizards. So the more

thoughtful Wizards went abroad warning the high-browed Leprachauns and the

caretakers of the little urchins that the potions could be fatal.

To their dismay they learned that many of the caretakers had believed the

high-browed Leprachauns, and were certain that the potions were magic - so

certain were they, that they simply could not understand why the Wizards wanted

to take the potions away, and many of the little urchins cried because they

believed that without the potions, they would never get their 4-Leaf clover...

>

>

> * Over 12,000 prescriptions for Ritalin and similar medications

> written out each week

> [Troubled: Prescriptions for Ritalin and other drugs for ADHD have

> soared. (Posed by model)]

> Troubled: Prescriptions for Ritalin and other drugs for ADHD have

> soared. (Posed by model)

>

> Soaring numbers of hyperactive children are being given controversial

> drugs to control their behaviour.

>

> Prescriptions for Ritalin and similar medications for ADHD have risen by

> 70 per cent in the past five years, with more than 12,000 written out

> each week.

>

>

> But some doctors fear that parents are simply using the drugs to sedate

> unruly children without knowing enough about the potential risks.

>

> The drugs, nicknamed chemical coshes, can cause nausea, fatigue and mood

> swings and have also been linked to suicides.

>

>

> Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta up from

> 382,000 in 2005.

>

> Most will have been handed out to those under the age of 19 diagnosed

> with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, with symptoms including an

> inability to concentrate and restless or impulsive behaviour.

>

>

> Experts say Ritalin and similar drugs contain the same chemicals as

> speed and cocaine.

>

>

> In 2008, health watchdog NICE advised doctors to hand the drugs out only

> in the most severe cases.

>

>

> Dr Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the

> NHS in Lincolnshire, said: There is no evidence the drugs make a

> positive impact.

>

>

> 'The NICE guidelines failed patients.

>

> 'Doctors who wanted to put kids on the medication simply had to diagnose

> a severe case.

>

>

> Between 3 and 5 per cent of British children suffer from ADHD.

> [Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta - up from

> 382,000 in 2005]

> Department of Health figures show last year 661,500 prescriptions were

> written out for Ritalin and similar drugs such as Concerta - up from

> 382,000 in 2005

>

>

> Read more:

> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388903/Chemical-cosh-Ritalin-\

> demand-soars-70-years.html#ixzz1Mt74hCtO

> <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1388903/Chemical-cosh-Ritalin\

> -demand-soars-70-years.html#ixzz1Mt74hCtO>

>