CCHR Calls on the FDA to Investigate the Drugging of Kids Following a Report on the Significant Increase of ADHD Labeling

The [Citizens Commission on Human Rights] (CCHR), a non-profit mental health watchdog dedicated the protection of children, is calling on the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to examine the facts behind the heavy drugging of children following a recent report on the significant increase of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) labeling. [1]

The stated mission of [ADHD](https://www.cchrflorida.org/?s=ATTENTION+DEFICIT+DISORDER) Awareness Month is to provide information to the public based on evidence from scientific and peer-reviewed research yet there is no definitive or specific test to identify ADHD. Instead healthcare professionals use a series of symptoms as a guideline to decide whether or not they think a child or teen has ADHD and the end result is usually a prescription for a psychiatric drug. [2] [3]

This growing trend to drug children in the United States has resulted in 8.4 million children being prescribed psychiatric drugs with more than 1 million of these children are under the age of five. [4]

Parents are being told that their child has a mental disorder but in actual fact there is no independent, valid test for ADHD nor is there any data to indicate that ADHD is due to a brain malfunction yet the number of children being labeled with a brain-disorder continues to climb, stated Diane Stein, President of CCHR Florida. This is why we are calling on the FDA to investigate the heavy drugging of children in this country.

A study conducted by the CDC showed that approximately 11% of children 4-17 years of age have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2011 and the percentage being diagnosed continues to increase with 6.4 million children diagnosed in 2011. [5]

Pediatric occupational therapist Angela Hanscom believes that the reason that children are being increasingly diagnosed with ADHD is that they are forced to stay in an upright position for hours on end and do not move nearly as much as needed. Gone are the days when children rolled down hills, climbed trees, spun in circles and recesses are abbreviated because of increasing academic demands. Ms. Hanscom tested several classrooms and discovered most children had very poor core strength and balance. In fact, she discovered that only one in twelve children were normal in this regard. [6]

However instead of prescribing more physical activity the psychiatric solution is to prescribe dangerous drugs. The two commonly prescribed drugs for ADHD, [Ritalin](https://www.cchrflorida.org/?s=ritalin) and Adderall, carry Black box Warnings and side effects can include:

Agitation

Aggression

mood swings

depression

thoughts of suicide

fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat

seizures

slurred speech

confusion

Dangerous psychiatric drugs are being given to infants and toddlers despite the known debilitating side effects of death, homicides and suicides that are reported in older children and adults taking these medications, stated Diane Stein. Why is this being done despite the known risks? Because a psychiatrist prescribing drugs can make up to four times as much as one who doesnt and drugs prescribed for ADHD alone make billions every year. It is all about the money. [7] [8]

Individuals are invited to visit CCHR at their center located at 109 N. Fort Harrison Avenue in downtown Clearwater to learn more about the dangers associated with psychiatric drugs as well as alternatives to medication. For more information please call 727-442-8820 or visit [www.cchrflorida.org](http://www.cchrflorida.org/).

About CCHR: Initially established by the Church of Scientology and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz in 1969, CCHRs mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, first brought psychiatric imprisonment to wide public notice: Thousands and thousands are seized without process of law, every week, over the free world tortured, castrated, killed. All in the name of mental health, he wrote in March 1969.

Sources:

[1] 10 percent of American children diagnosed with ADHD, study says https://www.ajc.com/news/world/percent-american-children-diagnosed-with-adhd-study-says/c5F3rGD4Qz6StKRtIFPVbM/

[2] ADHD Awareness Month https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/coalition/

[3] ADHD in Children https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/adhd-children#1

[4] Parents: Get the FactsKnow Your Rights https://www.cchrint.org/issues/childmentaldisorders/

[5] Key Findings: Trends in the Parent-Report of Health Care Provider-Diagnosis and Medication Treatment for ADHD: United States, 20032011 https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/features/key-findings-adhd72013.html

[6] Why so many kids cant sit still in school today https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/07/08/why-so-many-kids-cant-sit-still-in-school-today/

[7] INFANTS BEING GIVEN PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS ON THE RISE http://www.cchrflorida.org/infants-being-given-psychiatric-drugs-on-the-rise/

[8] Inappropriate prescribing: Research shows that all too often, Americans are taking medications that may not work or may be inappropriate for their mental health problems. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/06/prescribing.aspx

Company :-Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida

User :- Diane Stein

Email :-publicaffairs@cchrflorida.org

Phone :-+1--+1--+1-

Mobile:- -

Url :- http://www.cchrflorida.org/