Meanwhile, the number of children on powerful drugs continues to increase, which concerns many physicians, including Newtown Township child psychiatrist Dr. Harry Markow. Children with one diagnosable mental disorder often have others but, without a proper and thorough diagnosis, children may be getting the wrong drug therapy, Markow said. Without a proper exam, some symptoms easily can be missed or misinterpreted, he said. No conclusive answer is in sight. Ritalin seems to be effective in helping kids with attention disorders to focus.
Some parents say the effect of the drug is much like flipping a switch inside their child s head.
Lower Makefield clinical psychologist Jeff Mitchell isn t so sure. But you and I would focus better on Ritalin, as well. In addition to his private practice, he supervises psychology residents at Friends Hospital in Philadelphia. Concerns over the short-term side effects of Ritalin include appetite loss, sleeplessness and slowed or stunted growth. The long-term hazards are unknown, but medical experts generally agree that a child s developing organs, including the kidneys, liver and brain, could be affected over time.