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The prevalence of children who suffer from ADD/ADHD has led to the use of stimulant drugs such as Ritalin or methylphenidate to control behavior. Paradoxically, these medications are potentially harmful and merely mask the symptoms without getting to the core of the problem. Ritalin is designed to boost levels of dopamine, a chemical found in the brain. Usually, those who have ADD/ADHD have lower levels dopamine.
Ritalin is not always effective and comes with its share of side effects. In some cases Ritalin does not work AT ALL. It is unknown why some people are unresponsive to the drug, but for most people it works right away. Common side effects of Ritalin include: loss of appetite, tiredness, inability to sleep, anxiety & more. Children on Ritalin have poor appetites--especially right after taking the pill--which is definitely a cause of concern.
It is common for children to have a "rebound" effect as Ritalin begins to wear off. Because of Ritalin's rapid exit from the body, children often get headaches and are prone to emotional outbursts when the drug starts to fade. Due to the quick mood swing caused by Ritalin, "rebound" is also referred to as the "Ritalin Roller Coaster."
Other side effects include irritability, nervousness & dry mouth. Hair loss, skin rashes, joint pain & dizziness are some less common side effects. At its worst, Ritalin can lead to seizures, bone marrow suppression & psychosis.
Despite the lack of long-term information on the safety of Ritalin, many children have been taking the drug for years, sometimes right through high school and into college. When is a good time to stop taking this drug? It must be noted that Ritalin studies typically last no longer then three months. Reseachers have argued that it is easier to give drugs to children than to make drastic changes to their diets. That's why parents are encouraged to make adjustments to their child's diet before turning to long-term drug use for the condition of ADD/ADHD.