Ritalin

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Disorder (ADHD) (Bailey 1995).
ADHD is a condition most likely based in an inefficiency and inadequacy
of Dopamine and Norepinephrine hormone availability, typically occurring when a
person with ADHD tries to concentrate. Ritalin improves the efficiency of the
hormones Dopamine and Norepinephrine, increasing the resources for memory, focus,
concentration and attention (Clark 1996).
Ritalin has been used for more than 30 years to treat ADHD. Nervousness
and insomnia are the most common adverse reactions reported, but are usually
controlled by reducing dosage or omitting the afternoon or evening dose.
Decreased appetite is also common but usually transient (Long 1996).

According to Clark (1996), children, adolescents and adults diagnosed with ADHD
usually report the following effects when successfully treated with Ritalin:
•Improved concentration.
•Better "focus".
•Improved ability to complete their work.
•Improved intensity ...

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benefit in 20 - 30 minutes after administration,
and is most effective during the upward ‘slope' and peak serum levels. Ritalin's
effect is brief: Most people experience 2-3 hours of benefit, but after 3 hours,
benefits drop off rapidly. Some individuals, especially children, may obtain 4
or even 5 hours of positive effect (Clark 1996).

Social Factors Leading to increased use of Ritalin

Recently, there has been a dramatic upsurge of interest in using
stimulants (mainly Ritalin) for children and adults for the increasingly popular
diagnosis of ADHD. According to Persky (1996), the high frequency of the
diagnosis of ADHD is a uniquely American phenomenon. Children and adults are ...

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