Datos y reflexiones acerca del uso del metilfenidato (ritalín) para el tratamiento del trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad

Abstract

FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A GENERAL PRACTICE, THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TO OVERDIAGNOSE ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER AND GIVE STIMULANTS TREATMENT MOSTLY AT THE SUGGESTION OF TEACHERS OR PARENTS. THE SYNDROME SEEMS TO HAVE A NEUROBIOLOGIC EXPLANATION AND SINCE AMPHETAMINES COULD HAVE ILL EFFECTS, PHYSICIANS SHOULD BE CAREFUL IN BACKING-UP LAYMAN'S INDICATIONS. THE DIAGNOSIS BASIS ARE EXPLAINED AS WELL AS THE RULES OF TREATMENT BECAUSE METILPHENIDATE DOES IMPROVE ATTENTION IN ANY CHILD, BUT ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS SHOULD BE MADE, DUE TO POSSIBLE COUNTER BENEFITS. THE WAY TO RESPOND TO PARENTS QUESTIONS ARE ALSO DESCRIBED.