Reaction to the "Cutting Edge" Programme
Why Ritalin is the best option Sep 10 2003
By Julie Cush,
Evening Chronicle
Mood-changing drug, Ritalin, is blamed for brain-damaging
hyperactive children. This week the Chronicle revealed the drug
is claimed to have been responsible for the deaths of four
children since 1997. But Newcastle General Hospital based
paediatrician, Dr Tony Waterson, told Health Reporter, Julie
Cush, the bad Press is undeserved.
It is a big responsibility to prescribe a mood-altering drug to
someone who is developing and growing, so I have to be absolutely
sure Ritalin is the correct treatment for any child I see.
Currently I have 25 children on the drug and in two thirds of
cases there has been a massive improvement in their behaviour and
concentration levels.
I am not happy about the side effects, but do not think they are
worse than those associated with other drugs and the benefits far
outweigh the risks.
About 3,500 children are diagnosed with attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) every year, with about three to
five children in Newcastle.
We are not talking large numbers, but for parents living with it,
the condition can be traumatic.
The main side effects of Ritalin that I have noticed are loss of
appetite which affects growth, acne around the mouth and
sometimes nightmares and facial tics.
But there is no scientific evidence to show Ritalin causes brain
damage or death and such unfounded claims are sure to upset
hundreds of parents in this region whose children take the
drug.
Ritalin is also relatively inexpensive and not licensed for
children under the age of six.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance
states Ritalin should only be prescribed for severe cases of
ADHD.
This means that when a parent comes to see me or a school gets in
touch about a child's behaviour I will try behavioural
modification therapy before I prescribe Ritalin.
One of the symptoms of ADHD is extreme behaviour, sometimes
violent and aggressive.
Trashing rooms, running away and staying out all night are just a
few examples of what parents have to put up with.
But many say they see a huge difference when a child starts to
use Ritalin and often when I suggest a patient is ready to come
off it, parents say they are worried about how they will
cope.
Behavioural therapy also helps many parents, teachers and
children. We try to promote positive behaviour which help to
raise children's confidence. For example rewards, such a day
trip, are given if a patient refrains from a certain type of bad
behaviour
I will never put a child straight on to Ritalin. There will
always be a period of assessment.
But the main reason for using it is to help children achieve as
much as possible at school. If their concentrations levels are
poor it means they will not be learning properly, and this can be
disastrous for their future.
Ritalin is not perfect, but it has helped improve the lives of
many children.
Behaviour Change
Consultancy 24 Rochdale, Harold Road, London, SE19 3TF
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