I have really strong feelings about this, but not because I have a child. I have a man whom I share everything in my life with and he's ADD. His parents but him on it for eight years from age 6 to 14. He said it was awful. And it was, for him. They didn't bring him down off it gradually, they just stopped, and it caused even more issues. Another major issue is when parents use it as a substitue for GOOD PARENTING, as in Eric's own case.
Now as an adult he's got some stuff to deal with, as I read an article awhile back that prolonged use of Ritalin in children leads to stumped brain cell growth so by the time they mature, the brain has been "shut down" in certain areas, which leads to increased depression, insomnia, low seratonin, lack of testosterone functions, and general malaise - almost opposite symptoms of ADHD in children. Fascinating article. If anyone has an interest, I will post it.
Now as an adult he's got some stuff to deal with, as I read an article awhile back that prolonged use of Ritalin in children leads to stumped brain cell growth so by the time they mature, the brain has been "shut down" in certain areas, which leads to increased depression, insomnia, low seratonin, lack of testosterone functions, and general malaise - almost opposite symptoms of ADHD in children. Fascinating article. If anyone has an interest, I will post it.