The National Institute of Clinical Excellence(NICE) has advised that drugs, including Ritalin, should only be prescribed for severe cases of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) where the condition affects all aspect’s of a child’s life.
Following a sevenfold increase in the use of Ritalin and similar drugs over the last ten years, their use should be limited, advised NICE. Last year 700,000 prescriptions were dispensed in England . Under new guidelines, only a third of ADHD patients would be eligible for drug treatment.
As an alternative, parents should have training to help them cope with their child’s behaviour and the children should have psychotherapy or social skills training. Drugs should only be prescribed for school-aged children with moderate problems, if this strategy fails. No child under the age of five should be given this medication.
There are concerns that children who are naughty are being labelled as having ADHD, and thus receiving medication. It was felt in the guidelines that fizzy drinks and some sweets were “not a big issue”, but parents are advised to keep a food diary.
This information was taken from an article by Rebecca Smith which appeared in the DailyTelegraph on 24 September 2008
