Ritalin: More Depressing Stats

The January 25 Wall Street Journal warned of overdiagnosing adhd based on new research about the long-term effects of Ritalin and other drugs used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. About 12 percent of American children have been diagnosed with it.

Now researchers have found that methylphenidate (the generic name for Ritalin) “may permanently alter the brain and may lead to depression in adulthood”—based on studies with lab rats. “While the studies have limits—a rat’s brain is obviously very different than a child’s—the research nonetheless highlights the need to be sure of an adhd diagnosis before putting a child on medication.”

This disorder is one in which the criteria are highly subjective and describe many normal children (not listening when spoken directly to, not following instructions, being easily distracted, fidgeting or squirming).

Like most medicines, Ritalin treats the effects of this disorder (which is why many are quick to make the diagnosis and secure the subsequent quick fix). But until we learn how to pinpoint the causes (like poor diet or absence of parental discipline) and prevent the same, the medical industry will continue to push its “healing” poisons that have their own set of consequences.