Attention Deficit Disorder

An Overview and New Relief Approach

Are you, your child, or a friend suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder or ADHD?

ADD (or ADHD) is a baffling and frustrating disorder not only for those who have the condition, but also for their loved ones and our nation's dedicated doctors who attempt to treat it.

The frustration among physicians is due to the fact that science has not yet identified the cause or causes of ADD. Thus, the subjects of cause, and therefore a precisely appropriate treatment for the condition are still two very large question marks. A prominent neurologist states, "The more you study hyperactivity or ADD, the less certain you are as to what it is, or whether it is a thousand different situations all called by the same name." (Quoting from a recent article in the WALL STREET JOURNAL, on ADD).

There are many theories as to ADD's cause, but as yet no facts. This explains why practically all physicians in the US currently attempt to simply mask patients' symptoms of the disorder with powerful drugs, as their only alternative.

The problem with drug treatment of ADD, how- ever, are the frequent and dangerous side effects they produce. More on that in a moment.

Some of the symptoms of ADD are:

• Excessive fidgeting with hands or feet.

• Repeated difficulty remaining seated.

• Marked difficulty following through on instructions.

• Extreme difficulty in attempting to play quietly.

• Excessive interruption of conversations, and intrusion upon other children's games.

• Marked appearance of not listening to, or not comprehending what is being said to them.

• Multiple, repeated performance of acts that are dangerous, without thinking about or weighing the consequences.

Millions of parents across the nation are virtually frantic over the fact that not only have their children been diagnosed as having ADD, but that the prescribed treatment usually consists of powerful stimulant drugs such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Cylert.

As a result, many such parents have the constant, gnawing, and disturbing sense of feeling trapped within a very bad situation:

"If I don't avail my child of these prescribed drugs...what else can I do that will help? If I keep my child on the drugs, I'm forced to watch the frequent side effects taking their toll...on my child's health, and on the peace within my family!

What are some of these drugs' side effects?

Several short term effects could be the following: "Ritalin rebound", loss of appetite and resulting weight loss, insomnia, headaches, stomachaches, drowsiness, potential liver damage, facial tics, and a "sense of sadness", to mention just a few.

Also, several authorities report that the long term consequences could be devastating. In a recent book by Thorn Hartman, entitled, "ADD: A New Perception", he suggests that there could be a link between long term Ritalin use and Parkinson's Disease.

Equally disturbing is that for many children and adults, the common, prescribed drugs often do not work very well.

All of this information may sound discouraging, however, it needn't be. The good news is this:

Every week from coast to coast many thousands of grateful parents, and adult ADD sufferers, plus ADD support group members are discovering dramatic relief from a new, entirely non-drug approach.

It is an approach that is totally safe to use, employing a 100% nontoxic and natural — but powerfully effective — nutritional method. It involves the use of

an antioxidant nutritional compound from France that has produced stunning health results across Europe for over a decade, and that many progressive doctors are now beginning to recommend here in the United States and Canada.

This compound, called Pycnogenol, is a patented extract from the bark of the French Maritime Pine Tree. (US Patent Number 4,698,360). Pycnogenol, in easy to swallow tablet form, has been hailed by researchers as the most potent, natural antioxidant compound ever discovered.

Pycnogenol is not a drug and is now readily available in the US without a prescription. Moreover, it is far less costly than traditional drug therapy. It is as safe to use as Vitamin C. However, as an antioxidant supplement. Pycnogenol is actually 20 times more powerful than Vitamin C. and 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E.

Dr. Richard A. Passwater, one of our nation's most respected biochemists, has documented the research done on Pycnogenol's effectiveness in Europe over the last twenty years. This research shows that Pycnogenol gives relief from as many as 60 different degenerative health challenges.

Also especially gratifying is that adults and children with ADD are finding that Pycnogenol is literally providing them with a non-drug, new lease on life.

There is a brief audio cassette tape available that reveals all the facts in detail. The tape is entitled, " ADD and ADHDA New Option." There is no fee or charge for the tape. It will be mailed to you First Class with absolutely no obligation.

You will hear interviews and statements from several physicians and other health care practitioners. They will reveal many of the typical case history results of patients whom they had taken off of Ritalin, and other powerful drugs, and then experienced wonderful relief with Pycnogenol.

Further, you will hear from parents of children with ADD...statement after statement of how Pycnogenol has changed their lives. One lady stated that her son was, "...a new boy after just days on Pycnogenol."

- Dr. Gerald McCarthy, D.C.

Info on Pycnogenol

WHY TO AVOID RITALIN:

The following was excerpted from the 42nd Edition of the Physicians' Desk Reference, on the drug Ritalin:

RITALIN-SR® methyiphenidate hydrochioride USP sustained-release tablets

WARNINGS - Ritalin should not be used in children under six years, since safety and efficacy in this age group have not been established.

Sufficient data on safety and efficacy of long-term use of Ritalin in children are not yet available. Although a causal relationship has not been established, suppression of growth (ie. weight gain, and/or height) has been reported with the long-term use of stimulants in children. Therefore, patients requiring long-term therapy should be carefully monitored.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Nervousness and insomnia are the most common adverse reactions but are usually controlled by reducing dosage and omitting the drug in the afternoon or evening. Other reactions include hypersensitivity (including skin rash, urticaria. fever, arthralgia, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme with histopathological findings of necrotizing vasculitis, and thrombocytopenic purpura); anorexia; nau-sea;dizziness; palpitations; headache; dyskinesia; drowsi-ness; blood pressure and pulse changes, both up and down; tachycardia; angina; cardiac arrhythmia; abdominal pain; weight loss during prolonged therapy. There have been rare reports of Tourette's syndrome. Toxic psychosis has been reported. Although a definite causal relationship has not been established, the following have been reported in patients taking this drug: leukopenia and/or anemia; a few instances of scalp hair loss. In children, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, weight loss during prolonged therapy, insomnia, and tachycardia may occur more frequently; however, any of the other adverse reactions listed above may also occur.

DRUG DEPENDENCE

Ritalin should be given cautiously to emotionally unstable patients, such as those with a history of drug dependence or alcoholism, because such patients may increase dosage on their own initiative. Chronically abusive use can lead to marked tolerance and psychic dependence with varying degrees of abnormal behavior. Frank psychotic episodes can occur, especially with parenteral abuse. Careful supervision is required during drug withdrawal, since severe depression as well as the effects of chronic over-activity can be unmasked. Long-term follow-up may be required because of the patients basic personality disturbances.

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