Ritalin

7 Pages 1817 Words

ers suggest that ADHD is hereditary. Dr. Russell Barkley, of the University of Minnesota reports that nearly half the ADHD children have a parent, and more than one third have a sibling, with the disorder. (Clark 1996)
Ritalin as prescribed is taken orally, and takes effect in about 30 minutes and lasts for about 3-4 hours. Kids usually take 5-10 mg doses three times a day. (DIHCP) Although many experts report that Ritalin is a positive treatment in 9 out of 10 patients, and many parents and students claim the drug is a benefit in their lives', there are many who question the drug's long-term effects, dangers, misdiagnosis, and non-medical abuse. Diagnosis for ADHD isn't as easy as you think. There is no blood test, no x-ray, or no cat scan to determine a biological cause for the disorder. School psychologists are even prescribing the drug before giving an evaluation because there are so many referrals and a lack of school psychologists. Many times, it has been shown, many psychiatrists who often diagnose for ADHD in children, are misdiagnosing disorders similar to ADHD such as learning disabilities, depression or anxiety disorders; disorders that do not necessarily use Ritalin as a !
therapy. Some doctors who are reluctant ...