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Subscribe To Our Syndicated NewsRitalin Prescriptions Twice as Likely after Parents' Divorce
A study following the progress of about 4,700 children since 1994 found that the children whose parents divorced were twice as likely to be prescribed the attention-deficit drug Ritalin, it was revealed recently.
For Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Ritalin is a psychostimulant drug that is most commonly prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, and there is much controversy regarding whether this drug is being over-prescribed and given to kids who don't really need it. A March 2007 study found that the use of prescription medications to treat suspected cases of ADHD has more than tripled worldwide since 1993.
The more recent findings, reported in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, showed that 6% of the 633 children whose parents divorced were prescribed Ritalin, compared with only 3.3% of the children whose parents stayed together. The lead researcher of the study, University of Alberta professor Lisa Strohschein, noted that the results "…show clearly that divorce is a risk factor for kids to be prescribed Ritalin."
Two Theories about the Increased Prescription Rate
Professor Strohschein explained that the data suggest different theories; one, that divorce is a stressful event that results in adjustment problems for kids that may increase their acting out, leading to a consultation with a doctor and a Ritalin prescription.
"On the other hand," Professor Strohschein noted, "There is also the very public perception that divorce is always bad for kids, and so when children of divorce come to the attention of the health-care system — possibly because parents anticipate their child must be going through adjustment problems — doctors may be more likely to diagnose a problem and prescribe Ritalin." Professor Strohschein also acknowledged that some of the mental health issues of the kids who were prescribed Ritalin may have pre-dated their parents' divorces, and the issues were only identified after the divorce.
Continued research regarding the children's data and progress is in the works.
(Source: msnbc.com)
Do you suspect that your child has been prescribed Ritalin unnecessarily? Contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney to discuss your options.
