According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 5.4 million children ages 4 to 17 in the U.S. have been diagnosed at some time with ADHD [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ], and 66 percent of those with current ADHD take medication to control the condition.
Is ADHD perhaps over-diagnosed? Might Ritalin be over-prescribed? In my humble opinion, yes. Is there something to be done about it? Yes.
I am not a child psychologist or educator and I don’t have children of my own. BUT I am an acute observer of human nature and work in the holistic health profession and am of the opinion that most prescription drugs are over-prescribed.
Why do we as a culture go along with this? Because we are a society of people who want a quick fix.
The best explanation I have found as to why ADHD is over-diagnosed comes from Sir Ken Robinson’s brilliant February 2006 talk on Ted.com about an 8-year old child in school in the 1930s: Gillian Lynne.
There may be no better way to improve health and energy, and reduce stress, than getting a good night’s sleep. But that seems to be more and more difficult to achieve in our 24/7 world. Prescription drugs and over the counter sleep aids are plentiful but may not be our healthiest choice.
There is an old saying that, when the student is ready, the teacher appears. It certainly was true for me. I’m frequently asked how I got involved with the Native American spiritual path. The short answer is: “I asked the universe.”
