By host Tom Ashbrook:
There was a heads-up moment last week in America’s march into the arms of Ritalin. An FDA advisory panel, by a narrow vote, recommended a “black box” warning on Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, and the whole family of stimulants used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The risks: heart attack, stroke, and sudden death. Those most at risk: adult users.
Millions of kids are on Ritalin, but it’s adult use that has exploded lately. Some use it for adult ADHD. Others use it just to focus and lose weight. Performance-enhancing Ritalin use is on Desperate Housewives, and it may be in your house.
Hear about adult ADHD, and the surge in grown-ups on Ritalin.
Guests:
Catherine Richart, associate editor of “FDA Week”
Dr. Edward Hallowell, psychiatrist and author of “Driven to Distraction”
Dr. Carl Tisher, psychologist and professor at Ohio State University
Belinda Luscombe, correspondent Time magazine
As a mental health practitioner I have worked with a number of children having ADHD, as well as on the homefront, two of my own children have ADHD. What is uncanny is that it is a constant struggle for these children to stay on the medication and people are seeking the stimulants for enhancement? Yes, it is heredity and my wife does not have ADHD. Stimulants have improved the lives of so many and it woudl be a shame to scare people away from something that could provide so much relief. I agree with Dr. Hallowell in saying that inappropriate use does not constitute labeling this medication as dangerous. Let’s see the data before pontificating further on this subject.
Posted by John J. Acker, LICSW, on January 28th, 2009 at 6:34 PM