Is Ritalin Overprescribed? — YES by Dr. Richard Bromfield

Is Ritalin Overprescribed? — YES
by Dr. Richard Bromfield
Use of Ritalin (methylphenidate), the drug of choice for treating attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder
(ADHD) has risen nearly six fold since 1990. Up to six percent of all school-age American boys are
now believed to take Ritalin for the symptoms ADHD, which include a short attention span,
hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. The dramatic increase in Ritalin's use has prompted
accusations that the drug is being wildly over prescribed and that the condition it treats doesn't even
exist. Ritalin's defenders say the upsurge in the drug's use merely means that a safe and effective
treatment is finally reaching more of the people who need it. Two experts on childhood behavior offer
differing opinions on Ritalin. Arguing that Ritalin is over prescribed is Richard Bromfield, Ph.D., a
psychologist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. Defending the use of Ritalin is Jerry Wiener,
M.D., a psychiatrist on the faculty of the George Washington University Medical Center.
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http://www.americanchiropractic.net/ADD/Is%20Ritalin%20Overprescribed.pdf