ADHD Drugs Causing Frightening Hallucinations in Kids

You know by now where I stand on drugs like Ritalin for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - if I could physically go into millions of American homes and remove these drugs from folks' medicine cabinets, I would.

ADHD has become the "designer diagnosis" of the past decade, and up to 8 percent of all kids have been diagnosed with it at some point or another. Most of them end up on a prescription drug.

I don't have the space here to tell you about all the side effects that come with these drugs… suffice to say, they run the gamut from irregular heartbeats to anxiety and weight loss. But there's a new side effect researchers have uncovered that's cause for serious concern - hallucinations.

A government study that looked at past trials on Ritalin, Concerta and Strattera found that these drugs were sometimes causing frightening hallucinations in kids, who thought they were seeing bugs and snakes.

Is there anything more frightening to kids than bugs and snakes?

Kids are unnecessarily being put on drugs that make it seem like their worst fears are coming true.

The researchers were quick to point out that the side effects only occurs in rare cases. I'm sure it wouldn't seem like such a small issue if it was your kid or grandkid, though.

ADHD is criminally over-diagnosed, and the drugs that treat it are unconscionably over-prescribed. While every kid on an ADHD drug hasn't seen bugs and snakes, these drugs have unleashed other side effects on more children than we can count.

If your kids or grandkids are taking Ritalin, Concerta or Strattera, do them a huge favor - get a second opinion.

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Dr. Inglis works closely with his patients to help them take charge of their health and well-being without resorting to expensive drugs and dangerous surgeries.

He is currently the director of Integrated Health Solutions,  and is on the board of NOAH - a wellness center in Great Barrington, MA.


Comments

Anonymous's picture
1

Anonymous

Do you know if Ritalin causes low sperm count? My husband took it when he was younger..

Anonymous's picture
2

Leonardo C.

Many many things can cause low sperm count(diet, habits, drug consumption, exposure to certain chemicals, industrial environments, genetic factors, among others). But there are no reports of ritalin having caused this kind of problem so far.

danutza_andrei's picture
3

larry glade

What to hallucinogenic drugs have to do with kids? Can't we trust nobody? Under what circumstances does a kid take Ritalin? Things do look serious and I think doctors are to blame here, they are to blame for allowing dangerous prescription drugs even for our little ones.
Glade, rehab facilities counselor

Anonymous's picture
4

Anonymous

My 9 year old son started having haalucinations once he was on Concerta. He believed everyone, including his family were killers & after him. He would spend nights looking in the closets in the house, making sure all the doors were locked, and believing he seen someone always at the doorway of whatever room he was in. He told me he might have to run away for awhile so he can hide and not get hurt.

He is now off his medication. I am looking for an alternate way to help with his ADHD, I am sad he has such a hard time with his school work & behind the othe classmates academically, but it is more sad seeing my child scared to a point I cannot help at times.

Anonymous's picture
5

Anonymous

My 9 yr old was just prescribed Concerta and had his first dose 19 hrs ago. He has not slept and is now having hallucinations. It is now 3 a.m. and we are going through hell. He is crying and keeps saying he is seeing people all around him. I will never give him another pill for ADD. Screw it!

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