Talking Back to Ritalin: What Doctors Aren't Telling You about Today's Most Controversial Drug for Children

by Peter R. Breggin

In the book that rocked school nurse offices nationwide, Peter Breggincalled the bluff on child stimulants, the companies that produce them, and the educators who prescribe them. Talking Back to What Doctors Aren't Telling You About Stimulants for Children is one of the few resources available to parents who are intuitively uncomfortable with drugging their children. Now, in an updated paperback edition, Dr. Breggin has gathered new evidence of the harm Ritalin is wreaking on young minds. For instance, since the publication of Talking Back to Ritalin in 1998: -- The "Journal of the American Medical Association" has published aneditorial criticism of drugs like Ritalin that are prescribed to children. The report and an accompanying editorial warned that those drugs have an impact on the very neurotransmitters that govern brain development;

A "Journal of the American Medical Association" report linked use of a drug frequently prescribed to balance Ritalin's effects, Clonidine, to heart attacks;

-- A study from the University of California found an increased rate of cocaine addiction in young adults who had been prescribed Ritalin as children.

-- The FDA and drug companies haven't told the public everything they know about these dangers to children, but in this updated edition of "Talking Back to Ritalin", Dr. Breggin continues to reveal research about the ADHD drug that would otherwise be obscured from public view. In accessible language designed for parents, teachers and doctors, "Talking Back to Ritalin, Updated" challenges the diagnosis of "ADHD" and outlines the alternatives to drugs for the nation's children.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Psychology

Paperback

First published December 31, 1997

About the author

Peter R. Breggin MD is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and former Consultant at NIMH who has been called “The Conscience of Psychiatry” for his many decades of successful efforts to reform the mental health field.
His work provides the foundation for modern criticism of psychiatric diagnoses and drugs, and leads the way in promoting more caring and effective therapies.
His research and educational projects have brought about major changes in the FDA-approved Full Prescribing Information or labels for dozens of antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs.
Dr. Breggin has authored dozens of scientific articles and more than twenty books, including medical books and the bestsellers Toxic Psychiatry and Talking Back to Prozac.

Reviews

[Gary McMurtrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is an important book that should be read by any psychiatrist, pediatrician, or primary care physician, but I most definitely don’t agree with all his claims. What I will say is that we need more people like him who are on the entirely opposite end of the aisle of people who push different amphetamines and amphetamine derivatives on kids as a substitute for good parenting and a nurturing environment. Not really a knock on the book, but this dude is a huge prick and definitely has a big ego. I swear he put a plug for one of his books every 3-4 pages, and he thinks he is VERY important. Anyways, good book if you are willing to be open-minded and also have strong enough critical thinking skills to discern what you agree and disagree with.
8.5/10

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides an interesting perspective on the "disorder" of ADHD and the consequent use of stimulant drugs that is pervasive in the world of psychiatry. The author illustrates how and why faulty research has been made public through the drug companies marketing psychoactive drugs. It was scary to read about the sphere of influence that the drug companies exert over government agencies, parent associations, etc.

While I am still struggling somewhat over whether ADHD EVER has a neurobiological basis (this author would argue that there is no such thing as ADHD), I do agree with the author that in many cases, ADHD is environmental and not biological. The information in this book definitely made me think critically about information supporting ADHD as a neurobiological disorder.

I would recommend this book to any parents, educators, counselors or doctors who work with children. We are all so bombarded with information that really is designed to serve the purpose of marketing stimulant drugs, so it's important to look at alternative viewpoints. Breggin is a true advocate for children as he makes his case against drugs.

[Andrew Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Breggin claims- and with good reason- that drug companies have nefariously fashioned a market for a disorder that does not exist in order to raise revenue (see Part Three). He delineates evidence that clearly demonstrates a causal link between medication of the young (purported to have ADHD) with stimulants and substance abuse and alcoholism in adulthood (Chapter 5). He extensively documents the myriad side effects (including, but not limited to, tardive akathisia, depression, cardiovascular problems, frank psychosis, and even cell death) of Ritalin (methylphenidate). Ritalin- and all other stimulants used in ADHD pharmacotherapy- are extremely potent agents, and highly dangerous in overdose. It is grossly unethical that they are dispensed with such nonchalance by so many physicians.

Now with regards to the actual diagnosis of ADHD: ADHD was previously known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) - the term Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Syndrome (ADHD) was coined in 1994. ADHD retained many of the core symptoms present in the diagnosis of ADD (i.e. “Inability to concentrate” and “excessive inattention”) but many additional symptoms were added in the conflation of the two diagnoses (how convenient for Big Pharma!). Despite a plethora of research into ADHD, there is still no staunch medical consensus as to what it actually is. The symptoms (and sub-symptoms) leading to a diagnosis of ADHD (as defined by the DSM IV) are ridiculously extensive, and often vague (“often on the go”- how very scientific!). As with every other psychiatric diagnosis, there is no external validating criterion for the diagnosis (i.e. no blood tests, smears, metabolic or neurological markers). The diagnosis is done solely from the perspective of a physician’s perception of the symptom patterns expressed by the patient and, or (as mostly pertains to this diagnosis), relayed by those who know the patient. ADHD does not meet all criteria required for a doctor to diagnose it as a disease. Such criteria are 1. Subjective suffering, 2. a decrease in functionality and 3. Manifestation of the disease process. In some ADHD patients there is an absence of all three criteria. Actually, those around the person diagnosed with ADHD often complain of suffering due to the patients “symptoms”. Furthermore, the diagnosis only really applies when viewing society as a standardized, static, and conforming phenomenon. As such, it is hard to see any authenticity in the ADHD diagnosis. There certainly can be a decrease in functionality in such a patient, but the nature of this decrease in functionality is questionable: as aforementioned it is generally argued by people other than the patient (school teachers/ parents), and almost always pertains to functionality with regards to school/housebound behavior. This in stark contrast to those diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or psychosis: albeit no unequivocal biological evidence exists to account for their symptoms, in such diagnosis we do see subjective suffering, and a decrease in functionality: and this decrease is usually more global in nature: pervading not only their school/work activities, but their whole relationship with the world. It is plausible to view those diagnosed with ADHD as simply having retained more of our ancestral “fight or flight” behaviors. As such, such individuals are not apt to sustain their concentration for long periods of time, and are indeed hyperactive individuals. Such individuals may not be suited to office-type jobs; rather they may be more suited to jobs which necessitate more physical exertion and/or agility of thought. Conversely, those who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD (generally sustain concentration naturally), may be more suited to office-type jobs. In both cases individuality should be preserved and respected (there is no derogation implied for either 'character type. As it stands, the diagnosis of ADHD is suppressing individuality, and essentially functions as a means for society to regulate behavior and maintain conformity to social norms.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike the author, I really believe ADHD, etc exists and I have seen first hand that some children need medicine just as they would for any serious condition or to maintain their health like with Diabetes, etc. Children need to be able to focus and learn and I have met a few that could not do that without their necessary medication.

However, I do agree that it is extremely over diagnosed and misdiagnosed. I think 90% of the children taking stimulants don't need them.

With NCLB and the high stakes test craze as well as the emphasis on paper pencil activities, it is a shame children are not allowed to be children. Teachers need to provide appropriate learning activities for children and stop labeling them all "misbehaving." The gov't needs to read the research and let the teachers teach to best practices instead of to the tests.

Given the known side-effects of these drugs, we need to be sure before we "experiment" with our children. There are other solutions besides popping pills.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my life. I had to read this book 2 1/2 times before I really believed it. I had our ADHD son on meds and would not believe that it was environmental. After reading this book, I got my but in gear and changed a few things... Son has been off meds for one year. Is not an A student, and has learned how to focus his energy in a positive way. And... we moved to a more conservative state.

[Wendyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before considering to drug your children into mindless zombies please read what those drugs really are and what they actually to do the brain!