THANK GOD FOR RITALIN!!!!

LIFE ADD 3 TB, originally uploaded by Oldmaison.

This is a first for this blog. I'm going to blog a story supporting the drug of Ritalin.

Maybe there's a few readers who believe that Ritalin is God sent?

Here's the story -

Drugs helped me gain control of my child

LISA HORTON
01 March 2006 10:17

Just over two months ago he was throwing chairs and hurling abuse at his teachers and, by his own mother's admission, Joseph Gilgil was out of control.

Now the 11-year-old has been transformed into a model pupil and his mother today said she had a controversial drug to thank.

Joseph, from Gorleston, was on the verge of being excluded from his Great Yarmouth school when he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and put on a course of Ritalin. His mum Amanda Gilgil, 40, today hit out at claims that the medication is dished out as an easy option. Mrs Gilgil said within weeks of taking the drug, Joseph had started wanting to go to school and trying his best in class.

But cynics say parents rely on the medication so they do not have to deal with their children's problems. Research in the United States has also linked the drugs with an increased risk of heart attacks.

Last week, the Evening News reported how prescriptions for drugs such as Ritalin had gone up in Norwich by 44 per cent in two years. The amphetamine-based stimulant methylphenidate works on the nervous system to improve concentration and studies have shown that it can be useful in helping children with ADHD.

For Joseph, of Clarke's Road, Gorleston, life has changed immeasurably since he started taking the drug after Christmas.

Mrs Gilgil, who has five other children aged between seven months and 19, said: “He was diagnosed in November, but he had been very difficult to manage for about three or four years before that. Since he started taking Ritalin there has been a dramatic change. We all know it is not a miracle cure and that we still have to work with him to overcome issues that he has, but it has helped so much.

“When he was diagnosed with ADHD he was bordering on being excluded from Edward Worlledge Middle School. He couldn't concentrate in class and was very aggressive. He would throw chairs at teachers and shout and swear.

“Now we don't have any trouble getting him to school and he has gone in every day. He doesn't cause trouble in lessons, he is enjoying sports, has become more outgoing and is completing his school work. His relationship with his brothers and sisters has also improved.

“He's still no angel and he'll nip his sister, but it's a nip instead of a punch. He's still very boistrous, but not aggressive like he was before.

“Because he has ADHD his mind is a bit like a radio that is not properly tuned in. The tablets help him tune in and concentrate on what is going on around him.”

Mrs Gilgil said that, while he had experienced some side effects including not wanting to eat, the benefits of the treatment outweighed any negative impacts.

She added: “I don't think people are using the drug as an alternative to proper parenting. We know we can't just give him the tablets and leave him and there is still a lot of parenting work to be done.

“My fear is that parents will read negative press about the drug and take their children off straight away, which could be dangerous.”

Ü Have ADHD drugs changed your life for the better or have they made things worse? Call Evening News reporter Lisa Horton on (01603) 765704 or email lisa.horton@archant.co.uk