Dana Ullman

Hyperactivity and its related syndromes (ADD: attention deficit disorder; and ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) has become America’s #1 childhood psychiatric ailment. One of the common drugs to treat children with ADD and ADHD has been Ritalin, and its used has become so common that some people are calling it “vitamin R.”

It is initially surprising and confusing to learn that Ritalin is an amphetamine-like drug. One would think that this type of drug would make hyperactive children even more hyperactive. However, when Ritalin is prescribed to children who are already hyperactive, it tends to slow them down. Ironically, the use of a drug that causes symptoms similar to those as those of the patient is actually the basic principle of homeopathic medicine (treating “likes with like”).