Ritalin Is Not the Answer by Dr. David B. Stein, Peter R. Breggin (1999, Paperback, Illustrated)

Nearly one-tenth of all school-aged children in the United States are being coerced into taking mood-altering drugs with side effects that include insomnia, tearfulness, rebound irritability, personality change, nervousness, anorexia, nausea, dizziness, headaches, heart palpitations, and cardiac arrhythmia. These are the children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Ritalin Is Not the Answer confronts and challenges what has become common practice and teaches parents and educators a healthy, comprehensive behavioral program that really works as an alternative to the epidemic use of medication-without teaching children to use drugs in order to handle their behavioral and emotional problems.

Up to one-third of all school-aged children in the U.S. are diagnosed with so-called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They fall into a diagnostic category that didn't exist twenty years ago. Two million of these children are being coerced by teachers, administrators, and doctors into taking Ritalin, which has side effects ranging from insomnia and irritability to personality change, anorexia, and heart palpitations. Even more alarming is the way the drug interferes with normal height and weight gain. Other areas of great concern are the danger of addiction and an increasingly widespread illegal use of Ritalin as a recreational drug. This crusading book passionately advocates a new alternative to Ritalin -- the Caregivers Skill Program (CSP), a step-by-step plan for both school and home that focuses on behavioral and motivational problems. Based on extensive clinical trials and application, CSP offers concrete, easy-to-apply techniques for understanding and improving children's behavior, school performance, and self-esteem. The book also tells parents how to resist pressure from teachers and doctors to give their kids speed just to shut them up.

Industry Reviews
My faith in my profession is almost renewed! Stein not only flies in the face of conventional psychological ''wisdom'' where ADD/ADHD is concerned, but he has written a book that is completely devoid of psychobabble. Even if you don't have a child with attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, buy ''Ritalin Is Not the Answer". Thank you, Dr. Stein, for bringing a thousand rays of sunshine to America's children." (John Rosemond, Family Psychologist and Nationally Syndicated Columnist)
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"This book should be read by every physician before prescribing Ritalin and is an absolute must for any parent of a child diagnosed as having ADD and ADHD." (John W. Verheul, diplomate, American Academy of Family Practice)
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"Stein has years of experience at successfully treating hyperactive children without the use of drugs. Any parent who thinks his or her child may have an attention disorder (ADD or ADHD) should read this clear and practical book before seeking treatment." (Edward D. Smith, professor of psychology, Longwood College)
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"At last! A book that views ADHD children as capable of learning . . . . This book not only debunks the idea that ADHD children are diseased, but it gives parents a practical step-by-step program for helping these children learn to control their own thinking and behavior." (Thomas G. Moeller, professor of psychology, Mary Washington College)
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"Stein has presented an excellent guide to parenting skills that EVERY parent needs. All children, with or without ADD/ADHD, their parents and teachers will benefit from the Caregivers Skill Program." (Patty Whitfield, associate professor of special education, Longwood College)