Customer Reviews

The Hyperactivity Hoax: How to Stop Drugging Your Child and Find Real Medical Help

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After years of unsuccessful psychiatric work, school problems, and Ritalin, my parents found Dr. Walker. I was eight, and my parents and teachers were at a point where I was probably no longer going to be able to attend school and there was a possibility of being institutionalized. The rages that I would fly into would take a room apart. The animals and three other siblings in my family were continually terrorized. Babysitters refused to stay with us.

It is hard to talk about this stuff now, as I am a thirty-something adult with a very healthy and happy life. I have a wonderful husband, a 17-month-old daughter, and a baby on the way. Dr. Walker diagnosed me as being allergic to gluten and as being a borderline diabetic who with strict diet management would hopefully never have to take insulin. My diet went into effect when I was eight, immediately after my parents brought me home from Dr.Walker's multi-day visit. It worked. I don't know how long the diet took to work because I was so young, but my parents said that the change was like night and day. A normal, healthy, child without Ritalin. In adulthood I still do not need insulin.

It is not always easy to find out what the problem is. In fact, my parents probably spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars, many hours, and many trips to different doctors. (We visited Dr.Walker who practiced in CA, while we lived in AZ.) Boy do I owe my parents! But there can be reasons for such behavior that take some serious digging. Ritalin, often, is just a cover-up and a heck of a lot easier to do. But for sake of the health of the child please consider alternatives.

overall the book isn't one that adds up. Walker seems to vacilate between suggesting ADHD simply doesn't exist -- that it is always the symptom of an underlying problem -- and saying that there may be something to it if no underlying disorder can be found, but Ritalin isn't the answer. I found myself getting confused in spots about what he really believes.

His points about Ritalin are well made. He's absolutely correct in stating that it can be a risky drug for children to be on, that we haven't done enough appropriate longitudinal research, and that the side effects for some children can be problematic, at best. The key words, however, are some children. I know children who are on the drug who aren't having any problems with it. The whole issue of what is a cause and what is an effect is a confusing one, and this book doesn't make it any clearer.

In terms of the safety of Ritalin, the research and studies Dr. Walker mentions are based on such small sample sizes that they can't be taken as proof. His writing suggested to me that he was attempting to suggest causal relationships when he only had enough evidence to point out a correlation.

Now, Dr. Walker's points about HMOs and the lack of proper diagnosis of children are ones I can completely agree with. It's in this area that his evidence and argument is the strongest. He does a good job of explaining the different possible non ADHD causes of hyperactive behaviour. I did find this part of the book a bit long, however.

The latter parts of the book, dealing with advocating for your child with medical and educational professionals, is the most effective and useful part of the book. I would give the book two stars simply for the chapter where he gives readers observation sheets to fill out and give to the doctor as a basis for a proper medical examination. His advice on dealing with these professionals is sound and easy to implement -- he takes alot of the mystery and fear out of working with doctors and teachers. I would have like to see him encourage readers more to press for wider societal change, such as loosening the grip of HMOs and relieving some of the pressure on our schools -- changes that can only occur on a legislative/cultural level -- rather than simply pitting parents against doctors and teachers, however.

This book is worth looking at if you know nothing other causes of hyperactive behavior. It's got some useful information, but I wouldn't make it the only book I read on the subject.

Dr. Walker's book brought out many things every parent should consider before they consider medication. Lead poisoning, mercury fillings, and worms are just a few. He also listed were these things may be found in our enviroments. This was paticularly helpful since we, my wife and I, did not take all of our activities into account when evaluating toxic substances. This book was easy to read and very informative. Thank you Dr. Walker.

This book is for anyone who thinks their child might have ADHD. It gives strong arguments for not using Ritalin, but even more importantly, gives wonderful insight into other causes of your child's behaviors and common sense alternatives to Ritalin use. A great resource for anyone concerned about their active child!

I cramp my brain trying to decide what the skeptical position is in regard to Ritalin and ADHD. ADHD is not a new syndrome; it was first described over a hundred years ago, yet some people seem still to want to debate its very existence, like the shooter on the grassy knoll. Does ADHD exist? yes. Is it true that too many Ritalin prescriptions are written? probably. But too many antibiotic prescriptions are also written, and many too many Valium prescriptions no doubt, as well.

Certainly any book that denies the existence of ADHD with the ancient canard of weak parenting, a la the 1950's "rejecting mother" theory of autism is better used to level a shaky table. But this isn't such a book. Although there are no empirical studies here-- everything is anecdotal-- here is example upon example of other medical causes of hyperactive behavior, other than an organic brain disorder that must be treated neuro-chemically. So it's not bad parenting. But it's not necessarily the nebulous ADHD either. The book is simply a plea to look closer.

Anyone who has taken a college undergrad class in neurology or biochemistry and behavior knows that minute differences in fetal brain development, or in neurotransmitter production can lead to vast changes in behavior, so ADHD is theoretically possible if nothing else. But this is because the brain is a body organ like any other. Disrupt the function of any organ, and you are liable to see behavior changes. Introduce heavy metal to the bloodstream, or parasites to the intestines, remove a necessary nutrient from the diet through poor metabolism, or by poor diet, and see behavior changes. Even the weather can affect behavior.

My only wish for the book is that Dr. Walker had discussed in more depth some of the organic neurologic disorders that can include hyperactivity, such as Fragile X Syndrome, Asperger's Syndrome, and Tourette's Syndrome. Children with these syndromes could benefit from medication (though not necessarily Ritalin) in conjunction with behavior habilitation.

There are so many possibilities, so many ways for the environment to influence behavior, and the liklihood of an organic disorder to exist in the absence of other symptoms so small, that a rush to the prescription pad is at best shortsighted, and at worst malpractice. I thank Dr. Walker for breaking this ice; I hope that physicians, neurologists, and other qualified professionals will join him.

Put very simply, this could be the most important book you will ever read. It will change your life, your children's lives, your family life, and the way you view the medical and psychiatric community. If your child has been "diagnosed" with ADHD, ADD, or one of the other behavioral "disorders" or has been put on Ritalin, Aderall, or an anti-depressant, you owe it to yourself and your family to read this book.

If you are at all concerned about medicating your ADD or ADHD child, you must read this book for an excellent, well-organized approach to finding out what is REALLY wrong with your child. Don't buy your child a life-long drug prescription for amphetamines based on a 15-minute evaluation by a provider who doesn't give your child a comprehensive physical examination. This book is a fast read with a lot of superior advice.

This is a book that will bring a smile to your face. You may even have to stop reading and dance for a few seconds, as this book brings so much joy, happiness and hope. In this 5-star book, Dr Walker shares many case studies from his private practice. Children and adults that were diagnosed hyperactive or ADHD that were put on Ritalin-- who later turned out to have diabetes, lead poisoning, food allergies or other health problems. Yes, they were wrongly diagnosed, but Dr Walker put on his detective cap and began testing their blood, urine + saliva. He is a physican who is determined to find the truth, not just some psychiatric label + medication. I couldn't stop smiling while reading this book. I enjoyed Dr Walker's common sense recommendations and his sense of humor. It's certianly funny at times, the way he bashes the DSM-IV, psychiatry, and doctors who make a cookbook diagnosis of ADHD. This is an excellent book from start to finish. If you're interested in reading more on this subject, I also recommend Dr Peter Breggin's "Talking Back to Ritalin: What Doctors Aren't Telling You about Stimulants and ADHD."

I can not believe how much information was in this book! I am a parent who is an extreme skeptic when it comes to this whole ADD "fad" and this book gave me the information and the courage to question what exactly teachers and doctors are asking to do to my child. I am interested in knowing if there are parents out there who have read this book or who feel the same as I about this whole "hoax". Please e-mail me as I am looking for other parent's support on this issue. twalden1017@hotmail.com

I have a nephew that has ADD... This book clears up many issues I have had with his diagnosis.