Today it seems as though there have been more cases of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) than ever before. I know I see commercials all the time about new and improved medications that can be used to treat ADD, but is it worth it? Do the pros really outweigh the negatives when placing a child on such a strong medication?
Many of the drugs used to treat ADD have very serious side effects like: dizziness, nausea, weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, and anxiety. In addition, many common drugs for ADD (such as Ritalin, Methylphenidate, Cylert), which have the same Class 2 classification as cocaine and morphine. So, is this really a safe way to treat ADD in children? I mean, I know that parents are probably concerned about their children and want them to be able to improve in school by paying better attention and concentrating more but are they willing to risk their child's health just to have them get better grades?
Damon Hafner is a tenth grader who was placed on Strattera at an early age and has seen the dramatic effects it has had, physically and emotionally. His teachers told Suzanne that he suffered from ADD because he was not concentrating at school and was not completing his work. Immediately she thought, “How can this be, he isn’t a problem at all. He’s a good kid”.
Right away, the doctors wanted to place him on either Concerta or Strattera even though he had never been given an Individual Education Plan Test (IEP), which is the test given to diagnose a learning disability in children.
After much debate, Suzanne decided to go ahead and place Damon on Dexedrine. She saw an immediate change in Damon. “He had a tremendous loss in appetite, became more moody, and still was not able to finish his school work”.
Even though these medications are being prescribed to children in order to help them concentrate at school, it is astounding to find that these drugs can sometimes cause serious issues in children who are still developing. Strattera is an FDA approved non-stimulant medication but yet the FDA sent out an advisory for the warning signs to be aware of. The FDA reported:
-Strattera increases the risk of suicidal thinking in children and adolescents with ADHD.
-Anyone considering the use of Strattera in a child or adolescent for ADHD must balance the increased risk of suicidal thinking with the clinical need for the drug.
-Patients who are started on therapy should be observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidal thinking or behaviors, or unusual changes in behavior.
-Families and caregivers should be advised to closely observe the patient and to communicate changes concerning behaviors with the prescriber. (fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/atmoxetime.htm
This is just one example of a drug that could have serious implications. All of the ADD medications have very serious side effects that could result in huge changes among young children who are still developing.
I think this is just sad that we are resorting to drugging our children with these dangerous medications instead of taking the time to find a more helpful way for these students to learn. Many people learn in many different ways, that's just human nature. But let's first try to help these kids in a healthy more hands-on approach before we take risks with these dangerous medications. Drugs are already a huge problem across the world so I think it would be best if we kept these medications to a minimum.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Octuplet Mother Outrage
In January, Nadya Suleman,33, gave birth to octuplets in California. At first everyone seemed excited about the new babies and were curious to learn more about the very proud mother. Only after the media got ahold of the story did the details really come out. Everyone then got to see the true motives this woman had, which in the end, set off much outrage across the globe.
Nadya already had six other children, three of which were special needs children. She then got impregnated again with six more embryos which turned out to be eight. All of these pregnancies were the result of In Vitro Fertilization. Nadya is neither married or in a relationship with anyone.
Scrutiny over the new mother came after the world found out, through records that Nadya is single, unemployed, living at home with her parents, and receiving food stamps and child disability payments.
It's not that I am against In Vitro Fertilization for women who can't have children or chose to get pregnant without a man in their life, however this woman already had six children that she clearly could not afford and then she went and had eight more. It just seems too outrageous to me that a woman who is getting help from the government and taxpayers is able to do this.
She is in pursuit of a master's degree at California State University, where she has already obtained a degree in child care development, all of which has been free to her.
So, this tells me that because this woman is irresponsible and had so many children without having adequate income, all of her school is payed for because she is a single mother. This truly bothers me because it shows that if you are responsible and do not get pregnant before your finished with school, you are punished in a way and are forced into debt the second you graduate. If you are a single mother, you are off free and clear with a free education.
Now if this woman truly needed the extra help, "for her children" then why in the world has she admitted to having lip injections and manicures? I know I don't have the money for things like that (not that I would want to) but that's not the point. I don't have that type of extra money because I am paying for my own school.d
This woman just completely infuriates me to no end because it just shows how irresponsible she is. She has put her own feelings ahead of her children by having eight more. She is clearly in it for the extra benefits she is getting from the government. Not to mention, she is asking for at least $2 million for each interview. That is so disgusting to me. She is exploiting herself and her children just to gain a ton of money.
Nadya already had six other children, three of which were special needs children. She then got impregnated again with six more embryos which turned out to be eight. All of these pregnancies were the result of In Vitro Fertilization. Nadya is neither married or in a relationship with anyone.
Scrutiny over the new mother came after the world found out, through records that Nadya is single, unemployed, living at home with her parents, and receiving food stamps and child disability payments.
It's not that I am against In Vitro Fertilization for women who can't have children or chose to get pregnant without a man in their life, however this woman already had six children that she clearly could not afford and then she went and had eight more. It just seems too outrageous to me that a woman who is getting help from the government and taxpayers is able to do this.
She is in pursuit of a master's degree at California State University, where she has already obtained a degree in child care development, all of which has been free to her.
So, this tells me that because this woman is irresponsible and had so many children without having adequate income, all of her school is payed for because she is a single mother. This truly bothers me because it shows that if you are responsible and do not get pregnant before your finished with school, you are punished in a way and are forced into debt the second you graduate. If you are a single mother, you are off free and clear with a free education.
Now if this woman truly needed the extra help, "for her children" then why in the world has she admitted to having lip injections and manicures? I know I don't have the money for things like that (not that I would want to) but that's not the point. I don't have that type of extra money because I am paying for my own school.d
This woman just completely infuriates me to no end because it just shows how irresponsible she is. She has put her own feelings ahead of her children by having eight more. She is clearly in it for the extra benefits she is getting from the government. Not to mention, she is asking for at least $2 million for each interview. That is so disgusting to me. She is exploiting herself and her children just to gain a ton of money.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
How is the Economy Affecting You?
With the economy being in a downward spiral recently, it is no wonder that college students are no exception to the affects that it is having on everyone. College is already expensive, and most students help to pay for their own tuition and work while their in school. Now, prices are rising, companies are having layoffs, and employers are even cutting back hours to try and save themselves from this gloomy era we have now entered.
Now, with these hard times, many students are finding that they are being forced to cut back on the things they love and are used to in order to survive and still be able to afford college.
Amy-Renee Stevens was under the impression that her schooling would be paid for by her parents with the help of the stock market. Unfortunately, she and her family were not able to forecast the downturn of the market. “If the stocks had continued in the up rise as they were in the 90's I would have 156,000 dollars in my college fund... Instead I have 36,000. I have had to apply for loans, but since FAFSA goes off the year before's taxes there was no help there. In order to still afford tuition I have moved back in with my parents, am trying to find someone to fill my apt, got a job, and don't enjoy any of the luxuries I once did,” says Amy.
As a result, Amy has now been picking up more hours than she ever has in order to save money for her own schooling.
Like Amy, other students from the University of Cincinnati are also finding themselves cutting back, even if that means cutting back at school. Amanda Woodruff says, “Driving/parking is overrated and unnecessary not too mention overly priced. By not parking my car at UC for class I save about $800 a year which is two months rent or four and half months worth of groceries.”
When gas prices rose, it really made people feel pain at the pump and thus, many people took the same approach that Amanda did and cut back on their driving and transportation means.
Although cutting back on your fuel intake is one way to save money, many other college students are cutting back in every little way they can. Jeff Geiser said, “I try not to spend money on things I can live without. Lately I've been packing my lunch and try to only eat what I bought at the grocery store. If I want to go out drinking on the weekends, I usually will pregame a lot this way I don't spend as much money at the bar.”
So, when it comes to the problems that people are facing with the economy and their money situations (or lack there of), know that you are not alone. Guesses are that it has affected you or someone you know. All I can say is that hopefully things get better soon, for all of us.
Now, with these hard times, many students are finding that they are being forced to cut back on the things they love and are used to in order to survive and still be able to afford college.
Amy-Renee Stevens was under the impression that her schooling would be paid for by her parents with the help of the stock market. Unfortunately, she and her family were not able to forecast the downturn of the market. “If the stocks had continued in the up rise as they were in the 90's I would have 156,000 dollars in my college fund... Instead I have 36,000. I have had to apply for loans, but since FAFSA goes off the year before's taxes there was no help there. In order to still afford tuition I have moved back in with my parents, am trying to find someone to fill my apt, got a job, and don't enjoy any of the luxuries I once did,” says Amy.
As a result, Amy has now been picking up more hours than she ever has in order to save money for her own schooling.
Like Amy, other students from the University of Cincinnati are also finding themselves cutting back, even if that means cutting back at school. Amanda Woodruff says, “Driving/parking is overrated and unnecessary not too mention overly priced. By not parking my car at UC for class I save about $800 a year which is two months rent or four and half months worth of groceries.”
When gas prices rose, it really made people feel pain at the pump and thus, many people took the same approach that Amanda did and cut back on their driving and transportation means.
Although cutting back on your fuel intake is one way to save money, many other college students are cutting back in every little way they can. Jeff Geiser said, “I try not to spend money on things I can live without. Lately I've been packing my lunch and try to only eat what I bought at the grocery store. If I want to go out drinking on the weekends, I usually will pregame a lot this way I don't spend as much money at the bar.”
So, when it comes to the problems that people are facing with the economy and their money situations (or lack there of), know that you are not alone. Guesses are that it has affected you or someone you know. All I can say is that hopefully things get better soon, for all of us.
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