Ritalin is used to treat children and adults for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. Ritalin is designed to help increase attention and decrease hyperactivity and impulsiveness in patients. However, Ritalin can cause heart problems and mental problems, including new psychotic symptoms.
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which can be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. ADHD is diagnosed by a doctor who looks for signs like:
· inability to sit still
· blurting out answers without waiting
· inability to wait for a turn
· fidgeting and squirming
· inability to get along with other children
· being easily distracted
· skipping from one task to another without completing any
· inability to follow directions clearly
· other behavioral problems
What are some important things I should know about Ritalin?
Ritalin has received a black box warning from the FDA concerning its links to sudden death, heart attack, stroke, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, worsening psychiatric problems and new manic symptoms.
Ritalin is prescribed to patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, many people mistakenly think their child has ADHD. Experts believe that a traumatic event in a child’s life, like the death of a family member or child abuse, or underlying medical conditions like undetected seizures, ear infections, brain disorders or a learning disability may also contribute to ADHD-like behavior.
Only medical specialists can diagnose ADHD. They will look for causes like:
- environmental agents like cigarette smoking by the parents during pregnancy and toxins like lead poisoning
- traumatic brain injury
- food allergies
- food additives and sugar
- genetics
Ritalin is NOT for people with heart problems, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems. It should also be used with caution in people with mental problems, suicidal tendencies, or a family history of depression, bipolar disorder, or suicide.
- sudden death
- heart attack
- stroke
- increased blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- worsening psychiatric problems
- new manic symptoms
You should contact your doctor immediately if you (or the person who is taking Ritalin) experiences:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- fainting
- hearing voices
- believing things that are not true
- suicidal thoughts
- worsening mental symptoms