Ritalin Dangers

Ritalin Dangers: "Ritalin effects questioned

'US panel calls for research into effects of Ritalin'. This is the title of an article appearing in the December 5th 1998 issue of the British Medical Journal. The article goes on to say that the National Institutes for Health consensus panel called for 'urgent clarification of the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (ADHD) and research into the long term effects of treatment with Ritalin.' This article typifies a growing trend of scientific and commentary articles revealing the dangers of using Ritalin.

Prescriptions for Ritalin have increased six-fold over the past ten years, raising the question of over-diagnosis and treatment. Peter R. Breggin, M.D., a psychiatrist and editor-in-Chief of a professional journal entitled Ethical Human Sciences and Services, lists several disturbing facts about Ritalin and its dangerous effects.

1. Decreased blood flow to the brain, an effect recently shown to be caused by cocaine where it is associated with impaired thinking ability and memory loss.
2. Disruption of growth hormone, leading to suppression of growth in the body and brain of the child
3. Permanent neurological tics, including Tourette’s Syndrome
4. Addiction and abuse, including withdrawal reactions on a daily basis
5. Psychosis (mania), depression, insomnia, agitation, and social withdrawal
6. Possible shrink"

click on title to read on

posted by Robert Heard at 9:43 AM