Ritalin has been one of the most researched drugs, even more so than aspirin from what I heard. It has been around for quite a while and the only long term effects they found were a decrease in substance abuse and auto accidents and a decrease in breast cancer. They even use Ritalin for astronauts (to combat the drowsiness of the meds used for motion sickness) and for coma patients.

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My sons dr said that ritalin just got bad rap. That it has been around for long time and they know how it works. I would talk to your dr about your concerns. Write down what you see in your daughter. Is there changes in her behavior, is she better or worse, is she having hard time sleeping or eating, and does she acted like a zombie or is the medisen doing its job. Let your dr know these things and go from there. If you have good Dr and the medisen is not working and is going all the negitive things then your DR will tell you that this is not the right medisen for your daughter and he/she will give her something else. After he/she talks to you first of course.

Frances

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Ritalin really got a bad rap. I found of all the meds out there. It was one of the few that worked well for me. Since I stopped my meds again , I fell highly stressed, less focus and at times depressed. I want to see my doctor; but She isn't close ; and the psychologist didn't understand ADHD. so I feel a little lost. I think you all should see how it works; and if it make her jumpy ; and not able to sleep then reconsider. I know first hand how untreated ADD makes it so much harder to finish assignments, focus and unable to sleep then when I started treatment. I'm considered to have severe ADD traits; but have an IQ that is off the charts so it is scary sometimes. You would never know how smart I am when my ADD symptoms are really out of control. Good Luck with your decision

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Ritalin only gets a bad rap now because the people abusing it by buying it and selling it to get high off of. It should have the opposite reaction it you or your child has ADHD. If it will help your child I would try it. If I wouldn't have taken a chance with my med, I wouldn't be where I am today. Most days are pretty good. If I get stressed or insomnia my medicine doesn't work as well.

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