Question

Why would a fourteen-year-old, normally well-behaved girl not be diagnosed with adhd and given ritalin when she began to exhibit signs of adhd including hyperactivity and inattentiveness?

Answer 1

The patient must exhibit symptoms prior to age 7 years.

Ritalin may present brain risks to young people undiagnosed with Attention deficit Disorder. While the drug improves attention span in people diagnosed with ADHD, the drug may decrease working memory and ability to shift attention from one thing to another in persons without ADHD.