Ritalin Nation: Rapid-fire Culture and the Transformation of Human Consciousness
by Richard J. DeGrandpre
A Monthly Summary of News and Events
Vol. 2 No. 3 - March 1999
This newsletter is sponsored by EEG Spectrum International, Inc.,
a leader in providing clinical service and training professionals.
Past issues are available at www.eegspectrum.com/newsletter/
Information on how to subscribe or cancel a subscription appear at the end.
The opinions related in this newsletter reflect those of the author only.
Copyright (C) 1999 by EEG Spectrum International, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Epidemics
by David Kaiser
"...it would rush upon its victims with the speed of a fire racing through
dry or oily substances that happened to be placed within its reach."
-Giovanni Boccaccio
on the Black Death(mid-1300's)
According to recent statistics, Boccaccio might have also been refering to Attention Deficit Disorder in America in the 1990s. About half a million children were diagnosed as having ADHD or ADD in 1990. By January 1998, these disorders had claimed 4 million school-aged victims --an astounding 10 percent of the entire school-age population. In some parts of the country, nearly half the school children succumbed to this mysterious, mentally disabling disorders du jour. By other accounts, 13 million adults also came down with ADD or ADHD during this time frame. 17 million Americans in 8 years. Although no infectious agent is credited with these disorders, these numbers suggest an epidemic is upon us.
By 2000, one in six school-aged children are predicted to be diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. "With the exception of AIDS, there are few examples of such a rapid spread of a serious condition in recent years," says Gene Haislip, a former deputy assistant administrator at the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Haislip is mistaken about his exception, however. AIDS is a lethal and far more severe disease to contract than most or all mental health disorders, but at its peak (1993) 102,000 new cases of AIDS were diagnosed. ADD struck five times this many children and 10 to 15 times this many adults that same year. Fortunately the production of Ritalin has kept pace (thank god!) - with a rise of more than 700% over the past 10 years (that's a sarcastic "!" back there). America may be ground zero for this epidemic, but it has crossed the pond with a vengeance. Britain has witnessed a 35,000% increase in ADD cases in just five years -- from 2,600 cases in 1992 to 92,000 in 1997.
Although some people might object to comparing ADD/ADHD to the AIDS epidemic, or any epidemic of an infectious disease, the truth is that these disorders can be as emotionally and intellectually devastating as AIDS is physically. Children with ADHD can be as irritating to other children as to adults, and it is not usual for them to end up friendless and feeling lonely and unloved. Childhood ADHD is associated with an increased frequency of psychopathology in later life (Wender, et al., 1981). About two-thirds of children continue ADD symptoms into adulthood. Researchers have consistently found higher rates of antisocial personality, conduct, oppositional defiant, substance use, and anxiety disorders in adults with ADHD. Serious delinquent and psychological outcomes are associated with ADHD; in particiular, ADHD/ADD children are at greater risk for chemical dependence (Clopton et al., 1993; Wilens, et al., 1995). Substance abuse disorders were found in 28% of children with ADHD, 8% of ADHD children who no longer showed symptoms in adolescence, and in only 3% of non-ADHD children. ADD children often progress from substance abuse to addiction in a shorter time period than other children. Milin (1991) found ADHD in one quarter of all substance abusers he examined but he found no cases of ADHD in non-substance abusers. So to dismiss the ADHD/ADD epidemic as a problem of note, but not a threat to our national interests, is to underestimate the impact these conditions have and will have on society.
Epidemics. What causes epidemics? What ignites them and keeps them going? When an unfamiliar and virulent germ enters a virgin population, an epidemic is sure to follow. Correct? But where did the new germ come from? Some would say epidemics are the price we pay for living on Earth. Humans are the roadways upon which microorganisms test out the newest designs and models. But often the germ responsible for an epidemic isn't particularly new to the scene, it's the population that is new to the germ's habitat.
Epidemics have been part of humankind's legacy since our inception. Cholera, smallpox, diphtheria, Ebola, typhoid, and Mad Cow's disease. Hippocrates wrote about epidemics more than 2,400 years ago. Endemic diseases are also common. They are essentially epidemics past their prime, making the rounds after the original assault, against a population who has gained resistance to their forms. By this definition ADD/ADHD is an epidemic, not a endemic condition. We are amid Round One, and there have been hundreds of Round Ones throughout history.
Perhaps the first documented epidemic struck the army of the Persian emperor Xerxes. In 480 BC he tried to capture Greece, but was battled as successfully by Greek microbes as by Greek soldiers. He brought into Thessaly an army of 800,000 men, but lost more than a third to plague (and dysentery) and subsequently abandoned the campaign and withdrew to Asia. History is replete with similar examples -- microbes doing damage where artillery cannot reach. The Great Crusades were plagued by plague. The First Crusade ended in part because an epidemic struck the horses, killing 5,000 of 7,000. The Second suffered approximately 100,000 losses to disease. Napoleon, perhaps history's most successful general, was no match against the invisible armies. He faced at least two major epidemics -- one in Haiti, the other in Russia -- and he lost both. By the 19th century it was not unusual for disease to outdue the enemy in creating casualties of war. Typhus has been the deciding factor in more military battles than one would care to count.
The worst epidemics in human history are the Black Death, a combination of bubonic and pneumonic plagues which struck Europe (primarily) in the mid 1300s and reduced the population by a third or more, the 1918 influenza epidemic which killed three times as many people than the surrounding World War, and the current HIV/AIDS epidemic with more than 20 million victims, one quarter having full-blown AIDS. Black Death is thought to have been carried into Europe in 1347 by sailors from the Black Sea. The Black Death appeared during a time of economic depression in Western Europe. Reduced trade restrictions are therefore partly responsible for the plague. They were in place to alleviate the depression and this brought the infected sailors to Italian shores. The 1918 influenza epidemic was called ''Spanish flu,'' however the responsible virus evolved in American pigs and was spread around the globe by U.S. troops mobilized for World War I. Finally, there are many theories about the origin of AIDS but the simian theory seems most likely. Apparently milder strains of HIV have always been with us. The end of European colonization in Africa after World War II increased transportation across Africa, mixing populations as never before on this continent. Together with changes in sexual mores, two extremely virulent strains of HIV emerged. Without the increase traffic and contact between individuals, such strains would have burned themselves out in a decade or so, infecting one or two villages at the most. But truck and jet transporation changed all that.
Although epidemics can occur for any number of reasons, most seem to share a common element. This ingredient is what kicks a local genetic variant onto the world's stage. What is the epidemic catalyst? ....Money. The creation or appropriation of wealth by any means possible. Invasion, conquest, exploration, trade. The pursuit of wealth by a few powerful individuals has produced (indirectly if not directly) nearly every major epidemic in history. (Perhaps AIDS is the sole exception.) Epidemics are ignited by large movements of capitol, be they sailors or soldiers or natives. A decision is made to transport a virgin population to the germ's homeland or to transport the germ to an unprepared city, all in the pursuit of wealth. Could the same mechanism be true for the current epidemic sweeping through America's schools? Possibly. Let's ask ourselves this: Would this "diagnostic epidemic" be so vast if money were not to be made?
SOURCES: New York Now, March 02, 1999; Gene Haislip, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency; National Institutes of Health, Washington, D.C.
Ritalin Nation: Rapid-fire Culture and the Transformation of Human Consciousness
by Richard J. DeGrandpre
The DEA predicts that 1 in 6 children will be using Ritalin by the year 2000. Psychologist Richard DeGrandpre contends that the drug is a quick-fix that treats the symptoms and not the cause of children's behavioral problems. Drawing on the latest findings from developmental, psychobiological, and social scientific research, DeGrandpre seeks to solve the problem of ADD by "solving" its history. He attributes the disturbing prevalence of inattention and hyperactivity in children to the larger societal consequences of a speed-up culture that has profoundly altered our perceptual expectations, our very experience of time, and our ability to defer gratification.
For more info, see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0393046850/top100
Cognitive Neuroscience of Attention: A Developmental Perspective
by John E. Richards
This is the 2nd book this year which focuses on the cognitive neuroscience of attention -- the other was the Attentive Brain. Attention underlies all higher cognitive functions and according to recent estimates by the DEA, 1 in 6 children do not develop sufficient control mechanisms and require psychostimulants to regulate attention (i.e., ADHD/ADD). This book attacks the study of attention in the developing brain.
For more info, see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080582409X/top100
Help Me, I'm Sad: Recognizing, Treating, & Preventing Childhood Depression
by David Fassler, Lynne S. Dumas
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 2.5 million children and adolescents under 18 years of age have experienced clinical depression. The authors discuss how to tell if your child is at risk; how to spot symptoms; depression's link with other problems and its impact on the family; teen suicide; finding the right diagnosis, therapist, and treatment; and what you can do to help.
For more info, see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0670865478/top100
Dazed and Fatigued in the Toxic 21st Century
by Mark Llewellyn Hall
In Dazed & Fatigued In The Toxic 21st Century, Mark Hall offers a first person experience in recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome. The story weaves poetry with ironic insights and commentaries on everything from politics to music and literature.
For more info, see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0965653528/top100
Buzzed: The Straight Facts About the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy
by Cynthia Kuhn, Scott Swartzwelder and others
Chapters on each of 12 kinds of drug: alcohol, caffeine, enactogens, hallucinogens, herbal drugs, inhalants, marijuana, nicotine, opiates, sedatives, steroids, and stimulants. Each chapter lists individual drugs of the kind and their common names and briefly describes the drug's "buzz," immediate hazards (overdose), and dangerous interactions with other substances; as well as information on the drug's history, effects, and other topics, such as, when pertinent, addiction. The book's also contains chapters on the working of the brain, addiction, and legal issues.
For more info, see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0393317323/top100
Blame It on the Brain?: Distinguishing Chemical Imbalances, Brain Disorders, and Disobedience
by Edward T. Welch
The author, who has experience in neuropsychology and theology, provides an unusual perspective on the possible influences of the brain on behavior and those behaviors which are highly unlikely to be associated with chemical imbalances and other brain disorders.
For more info, see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0875526020/top100
Epilepsies and video games: results of a multicentric study.
Badinand-Hubert N, Bureau M, Hirsch E et al
[Hospital Debrousse, Lyon, France.
]
Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 1998 Dec;107(6):422-7
Adolescent depression. Epidemiology, nosology, life stress and social network.
Olsson G
[Dept of Neuroscience, Child &Adolescent Psychiatry, Univ Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
]
Ups J Med Sci 1998;103(2):77-145
From the 'EEG age' to a rational scale of brain electric maturation.
Wackermann J, Matousek M
[Neuroscience Technology Research, Prague, Czech Republic. jw@igpp.de
]
Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 1998 Dec;107(6):415-21
Attentional capacities in children with autism: is there a general deficit in shifting focus?
Pascualvaca DM, Fantie BD, Papageorgiou M, Mirsky AF
[Clinical & Exp Neuropsychology, NIMH, Bethesda, MD 20892
]
J Autism Dev Disord 1998 Dec;28(6):467-78
Assessment of executive function in patients with mild traumatic brain injury.
Brooks J, Fos LA, Greve KW, Hammond JS
[UMDNJ-RWJ Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08903
]
J Trauma 1999 Jan;46(1):159-63
Biofeedback-assisted relaxation training with brain injured patients in acute stages of recovery.
Holland D, Witty T, Lawler J, Lanzisera D
[Sch of Public Health, Johns Hopkins U, Baltimore, MD 21205 dholland@jhsph.edu
]
Brain Inj 1999 Jan;13(1):53-7
Association between hyperactivity and executive cognitive functioning in childhood and substance use in early adolescence.
Aytaclar S, Tarter RE, Kirisci L, Lu S
[Addiction Treatment & Research Ctr, Bakirkoy Mental Hosp, Istanbul, Turkey.
]
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1999 Feb;38(2):172-8
Is early intervention effective in preventing ADHD?
Rappaport GC, Ornoy A, Tenenbaum A
[Jerusalem Inst of Child Dev, Hebrew Univ Hadassah Med School, Israel
]
Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci 1998;35(4):271-9
Psychiatric disorders in patients with fibromyalgia. A multicenter investigation.
Epstein SA, Kay G, Clauw D, et al
[Dept of Psychiatry, Georgetown Univ Med Ctr, Washington, DC 20007
]
Psychosomatics 1999 Jan-Feb;40(1):57-63
Neuropsychological functioning in cocaine abusers with and without alcohol dependence.
Robinson JE, Heaton RK, O'Malley SS
[Dept of Psychiatry, Yale Sch of Med, New Haven, CT 06511 jane.robinson@yale.edu
]
J Int Neuropsychol Soc 1999 Jan;5(1):10-9
| Encino, California | March 11-15, 1999 |
|---|---|
| Encino, California | September 23-27, 1999 |
| DAY 1 Thursday |
AM | Introduction and history |
|---|---|---|
| PM | Mechanisms of brain regulation | |
| EVE | Professional issues | |
| DAY 2 Friday |
AM | 3-Axis model of brain function |
| PM | Demonstration - beta/SMR | |
| EVE | Research results - addiction and EEG training | |
| DAY 3 Saturday |
AM | Protocols |
| PM | Practicum 1 - beta/SMR | |
| DAY 4 Sunday |
AM | Alpha-theta training - what & how |
| PM | Alpha-theta continued | |
| EVE | Practicum 2 - alpha-theta | |
| DAY 5 Monday |
AM | Assessment & case management |
| PM | Integrated A/T into comprehensive treatment program
Case histories |
Conferences for Neurofeedback Clinicians & Researchers | ||
|---|---|---|
| CONFERENCE | LOCATION | DATES |
| AAPB 1999 | Vancouver, BC | April 7-11, 1999
|
| SNR 1999 | Myrtle Beach, SC | Sep 30-Oct 3, 1999 |
New Offices online
Innervisions Counseling and Biofeedback Linda B Lookabill, MA, LPC, LMFT Donna M Paris, MSW, LCSW 1397 Laskin Rd #201 Virgina Beach, VA 23451 757-436-3838 jlooka@erols.com Innervisions Counseling and Biofeedback Linda B Lookabill, MA, LPC, LMFT Donna M Paris, MSW, LCSW 1015-D Eden Way North Chesapeake, VA 23320 757-436-3838 jlooka@erols.com Robert L McRoberts, PhD 222 W Gregory, Suite 229 Kansas City, MO 64114 (785) 267-4440 x386 Henry M. Weeks, Ph.D. 211 Echo Rd Carlisle, PA 17013-9510 (717) 243-3164 hweeks@epix.net Bill Mansfield, M.A., Clinic Director Advanced Learning Solutions 205 McNabb Suite #201 Sault Ste. Marie ON P6B 1Y3 Canada 705-253-7722 eeg@sma.ca Instituto Português de Neuroterapia Joao Pedro Martins Estrade da Luz, 92 - 7° Esq. 1600 Lisboa - Portugal Tel. 751 55 60/00 ext. 194/141 fax: 757 70 06 |
Dr Angel Egozcue PO Box 1455 Lares 00669-1455 PR (787) 897-2705 Leslie Coates, LCSW Wellness Resources 600 Sandtree Drive Palm Beach Garden FL 33403 US 561-625-8806 Pam Passis 1860 Oak St Ste 100 Northfield IL 60093-3027 (847) 433-5774 Sharon Stein McNamara, Ed.D., LP William Fournier, MA,LP,LMFT,BCIAC 1144 Grand Ave St. Paul MN 55105 US 651-227-8105 sspsyche@aol.com EEG Spectrum International of San Antonio Mary Jo Lee, MA, LPA, LPC, School Psychologist Blake Holloway, MA, LCDC, AS Debbie Pruski, MEd, Child Behavioralist Specialist 8627 Cinnamon Creek, Bldg 401 San Antonio TX 78240 US 210-699-0345 Fax -0377 mjlee50@aol gblakeh@ktc.com (Change of address) Judith DeGrazia Willard, Ph.D. 1701 E Green Valley Pkwy Build #2 Suite A Henderson NV 89014 (702) 650-0590 jdwillard@anps.com (Change of address) Mark D. Chamberlain, Ph.D. 1044 W 400 S Layton, UT 84041-5235 (801) 294-4133 mark.chamberlain2@gte.net |
(the D in Y2KD stands for "deca" or 10)
As we all know, the sky is predicted to fall at the end of next year. One day, we will be faxing from our cars and playing strip poker over the Internet from 30,000 feet; the next day, we will be hunting squirrels and cooking beans over Sternos. They call it Y2K -- a sleek moniker for the approaching Armaggedon. Bugged back into the Stone Age, that's our fate. When the frightful double-zero rears its ugly head and slouches towards Bethlehem to be born, you better be in Montana with a two-year supply of Ramen noodles hidden under the floorboards -- or else! On January 1st, 2000, the world will be transformed for the worse. At least according to survivalists and Y2K consultants.
But a far more significant and culturally metamorphic milestone awaits us, one far more frightening than having PCs mistakenly attribute my birth to a post-Civil War baby boom. And this transfigural event is fast approaching, faster than you think. Exactly 10 years after Y2K passes with little notice, the Y2KD problem strikes. And this problem will not be ignored or shoo-ed away by computer consultants charging $150 per hour.
The DEA estimates that one in 6 school-aged children will be diagnosed with ADD by Y2K, the year 2000. This is a 600 to 700% increase since 1990. As no one in psychiatric circles predicts a slowdown in diagnoses, the first decade of the new millenium should also show a 600% increase in numbers. By my calculations, come January 1st 2010, every single school children in America will be diagnosed as having ADHD or ADD. One hundred percent! Not a single child will escape being labelled. Think of it. An entire generation unable to pay attention. Not one child able to read Moby Dick, at least not beyond the first page. Think what will happen to our school systems when Y2KD hits. January 1st, 2010 dawns and every child in the U.S. goes haywire. Not a single homework assignment will be passed in after 2010. The detentions will flow like water; each and every day the entire school will have to stay after school.
With 40 million Americans unable to sit still, America cannot help but be transformed. And the only way our great culture will survive is to adapt. Adapt to the demands of the perpetually distracted. I expect the changes will be small at first, a book dropped from curriculum here, basic math skill requirements dropped there. But as 100% of the Generation Rx'ers succumb to the siren song of arousal dysfunction, count on the changes to snowball quickly. Here are just a few ways America in the year 2010 will be different from the America we all know and love today:
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